DARLINGTON, S.C. (WBTW) — Darlington City Manager John Payne is stepping down after nearly three years on the job to accept a position in Charleston.
Payne was hired in July 2021 to replace Howard Garland, and in a Tuesday letter to city leaders outlined several accomplishments over that time he said left the city of nearly 7,000 in a strong position.
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“The city of Darlington is now on the right path to reinvent herself. Recent local investments are more than $200 million, businesses are opening and the Renaissance Master Plan will soon give you a road map for redevelopment,” Payne wrote in a resignation letter provided to News13.
Payne pointed to five key successes carried out over his time with the city:
- $10 million worth of infrastructure grants for repairs to water, sewer and stormwater systems
- Establishment of an income verification procedure for business license and hospitality tax fees
- A 50-fold return on city investments
- Clean municipal audits
- Market rate pay for employees and a 30 percent increase in starting salaries for police officers