Pickens County wants specific plans from Tech

Pickens County has spelled out its position on whether the county should commit funding to a new building project on the main campus of Tri-County Technical College.  Announcement from county government states that while the council last October agreed to the concept of the project, it specifically called for Tech to come back with specific details during the budget process.  Chairman Jennifer Willis wrote to Dr. Ronnie Booth after an October meeting and informed him that funding for any project would “require a separate vote by Pickens County Council.”   The county claims Dr. Ronnie Booth, Tech president provided only general information about the project.  Pickens County describes itself “further disappointed to learn through the media that Tri-County Tech is threatening to raise tuition on only Pickens County students for the second time this year if the County insists on detailed building plans prior to voting to authorize any building/renovation funds.”  A spokeswoman says the college is reviewing the Pickens County announcement before issuing a response to it. The Pickens County announcement suggests that the new building is a state responsibility. “We again request that Tri-County Tech come forward with actual building plans and specifications to include total costs per square foot, so the County may be justified in authorizing the expenditure of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ funds,” concludes the county announcement.