2025 was a year of significant progress for the Town of Fort Mill.
Through the leadership of Town Council and the dedication and accomplishments of our Town staff- along with the continued support of our residents and community partners- Fort Mill achieved a number of important milestones that enhance services, strengthen our organization and plan thoughtfully for the future. Below are highlights of the accomplishments we’re proud to share:
Stormwater Department Receives State Award
On Jan. 24, the Fort Mill Stormwater Department received the Power of Partnership Award from S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SC DES) and S.C. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. The department was one of several representatives of the Watershed Evaluation Team (WET), which was awarded for their effective collaboration on watershed planning and protection. WET is a working group with stakeholders from several groups throughout York County. On hand to accept the award were Stormwater Management Coordinator Mina McLean MacDonald and Stormwater Manager LeeAnn Clark.
New Town Hall
In February and March, most of our Town and Police Department staffs moved into our new Town Hall at 205 N. White St. The historic red-brick building, formerly known as the Springs Executive Office, sits adjacent to Walter Y. Elisha Park and the Town’s Amphitheater. With its amazing aviation-themed architecture and bright, spacious rooms, the new Town Hall is an impressive centerpiece for the Town’s administrative functions. The building also houses the Fort Mill Town Council chambers and Municipal Court. In 2026, the Town’s staff will fully move into the space with the opening of its new Customer Service Center.
Fort Mill: Our Path Forward
In February, Town of Fort Mill staff engaged planning and engineering firm Bolton & Menk to begin the Fort Mill: Our Path Forward project. This project will establish an updated vision for the Town of Fort Mill for the next twenty years, with a new Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Master Plan and Parks and Recreation Master Plan. This initiative aims to think holistically about the Town’s future, with the various plans focusing on walkability, improving public spaces, preserving the downtown area, enhancing parks and green spaces and supporting community wellness. Throughout the year we held several community meetings and hosted three public surveys to gather public input. Combined we had hundreds of participants in our open houses and received more than 2,000 responses across our three surveys.
New Trash Trucks
Two new side arm trash trucks were added to the Town fleet in May. The two trucks will each be able to collect between 8 and 10 tons of garbage. That equals about 500 to 700 trash carts full of items. On average the Town collect 30 to 35 tons of trash per day. Inside the truck, a Public Works employee drives on the right side to see trash carts as they are picked up. The employee then uses a left-hand joystick to operate the truck’s arm. The new trucks are also equipped with several cameras to aid the driver with collection.
Big Year for Fire Department
On May 19, a crowd of family, friends and well-wishers filled Fort Mill Town Council’s chambers as the Fort Mill Fire Department formally promoted five of its employees.Recognized with a badge pinning at the event were Battalion Chief William Jenkins, Captain Thomas Varjabedian, Captain Christopher Jones, Captain Quentin Harris and Deputy Fire Marshal Ellie Wolfram. Each received their new ranks and were honored by Fort Mill Fire Chief Chipper Wilkerson, Mayor Guynn Savage and members of Fort Mill Town Council.
Then on July 11, the Fire Department celebrated the graduation of 16 recruits from Class 10 from Firefighter Recruit School which included a rigorous 16-week training course. The new firefighters include: Andrew Adams, Jonathon Bueno, Kevin Chang, Andrew Cooper, James Klein, Andrew Mayhue, Matthew Nielson, David Oesch, Joshua Oliver, Marquis Robinson, Luis Rodriguez, Andrew Ross, Will Stout, Colt Taylor, Waites Waller and Damon Yates.
Homerun for Hometown Pride
The bases were loaded with community love on Aug. 16 as Fort Mill residents and Town staff gathered for the Charlotte Knights’ Fort Mill Community Night at Truist Field in Charlotte. Fort Mill Mayor Guynn Savage, who was joined by her family and Knights’ mascot Homer the Dragon, threw out the game’s first pitch as the Knights hosted the Memphis Redbirds. The night also featured post-game fireworks and special recognition for several Fort Mill businesses and organizations.
Steele St. Park Playground Upgrades
Following months of renovations, the Town unveiled the upgraded Steele Street Park playground in August. The playground features new slides, swings, sun shades, climbing structures and more. This was the second phase of upgrades at the park, following the resurfacing and painting of the outdoor basketball court with the addition of new backboards & breakaway rims.
Walter Y. Elisha Park Walking Trail Complete
In October, construction of the new concrete sidewalk in Walter Y. Elisha Park was complete. Crews worked throughout the summer to remove the previous 6-foot-wide asphalt trail that surrounded the park and replace it with an 8-foot-wide concrete sidewalk. New benches and picnic tables have also been installed, and foundations and electrical infrastructure for the 39 new decorative light poles throughout the park is also complete. Up next will be installation of light poles, bench swings, bike racks, security cameras and trash cans.
Parking Lot Ribbon Cutting
On Nov. 21, the Town of Fort Mill officially cut the ribbon on our brand-new municipal parking lot at the intersection of Main and Tom Hall streets. Town Council joined members of the White family for this special moment—and to honor their incredible generosity. A beautifully preserved millstone, now featured at the parking lot’s marker, was graciously donated by the White family. This historic piece once powered the Wilson Farm grist mill and cotton gin near Pleasant and Whitley Roads—an amazing reminder of Fort Mill’s rich heritage. Originally used generations ago and donated to the Town in 2022, the millstone comes from the family of Murray B. White, Jr., descendants of the Wilson family.
Procurement Manager Honored
Town Procurement Manager Phillip Aycock was honored by Fort Mill Town Council on Dec. 15 for receiving a prestigious statewide procurement award. Aycock received the Manager of the Year award from the South Carolina Association of Governmental Purchasing Officials (SCAGPO). The award recognizes a public procurement professional whose leadership, innovation and commitment have made a significant impact on the profession and the advancement of professional development.
Recognition for the Police Department
In December, the Fort Mill Police Department was awarded the Gold Award in the 2025 South Carolina Law Enforcement Challenge through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Network (SCLEN). This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our officers who continually prioritize traffic safety, proactive enforcement, and community education.
And on Dec. 9, FMPD School Resource Officer LeAnna Cutler was honored by the Fort Mill School District with the Red Nose Award, which highlights individuals who embody excellence, equity, empathy and kindness, and who live out the district’s Four C’s: culture, community engagement, commitment, and continuous improvement.