Simpsonville City Council voted to accept City Administrator Dianna Gracely’s letter of retirement on Tuesday, concluding her 33 years of public service on June 30.

After serving as Simpsonville’s city administrator for seven years, Gracely submitted her letter of retirement to City Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting. Gracely previously served as city administrator for Landrum and Travelers Rest.

During Gracely’s tenure, the City of Simpsonville has made numerous accomplishments: a healthy fund balance; establishment of a Capital Improvements Fund; renovation of the now Simpsonville Arts Center; creation of a vibrant downtown with full occupancy; construction of Simpsonville’s green line addition to the Swamp Rabbit Trail with Phase 2 of the trail in progress; building a beautiful and functional Municipal Complex that will serve employees and the public for decades to come; improvements to the downtown park; renovation of and securing naming rights for the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park; bring sanitation back in-house with significant improvement in customer service; rebranding; and much more.

However, toward the last years of her employment, several newly elected council members began discussing issues regarding transparency and more public awareness. One issue was the apparent sale of the old city hall property without public announcement or advertisement that was negotiated by Gracely and the Mayor. Another question arose over the method and strategy of the closing of Hunter St. Documents produced by councilmembers described the process as invalid and closed without proper procedure. The mayor and Gracely defended their actions even though there never was a proper council vote to process the road closure. These are some of the questions council members are asking about and searching for solutions. 

Gracely came to Simpsonville after the council passed an ordinance that changed the process of removing a city administrator with a simple majority. The council form of government rules traditionally by majority. That meant that if the council found cause to remove an administrator a super majority was required. This ordinance was created to ensure an administrator could survive an election cycle council change in support. This ordinance somewhat crippled the citizens ability to enact change in government. Several years ago, council candidates ran a campaign and won to enhance transparency and search for an option to the current administrator. It took four votes on their first meeting to replace the administrator. So goes power of the election process. With this super majority ordinance it would take the citizens 2 election cycles to elect a slate of council to make this change if they decided it was in the best interest of the citizens.

It is apparent that Gracely was given a sweet contract to come to Simpsonville and an ordinance in place to protect her position. 

The South Carolina Municipal Association was asked for an opinion on this ordinance and their response was surprising and a comment that this was unheard of in a council form of government. Majority rules. There are presently discussions with council and city attorney to  bring forward ideas to address these issues.

Gracely intends to serve as city administrator until June 30 to assist staff with the budget process and transition to her successor. ●