McColl Mayor Vetoes Water Meter Upgrade Project Citing Town's $316,000 Budget Deficit

Mayor Robert Outlaw says the town cannot afford the new digital meters despite council's approval of the $1 million project.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:34am

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An abstract illustration using simple geometric shapes and muted earth-toned colors to conceptually represent the financial challenges facing the town of McColl, including its budget deficit, aging infrastructure, and delayed audits.A small town's budget crisis forces tough choices about infrastructure upgrades and fiscal responsibility.McColl Today

McColl Mayor Robert Outlaw has vetoed a $1 million project to install 1,000 new digital water meters across the town, citing the town's $316,000 budget deficit. Outlaw says the town is struggling financially, several years behind on required audits, and cannot justify taking on a new 12-year financial obligation at this time. The mayor says the town needs to prioritize fixing its aging water infrastructure before investing in the new meters.

Why it matters

McColl's financial troubles highlight the challenges facing many small towns in maintaining aging infrastructure and balancing budgets. The mayor's veto of the water meter project shows the difficult decisions local leaders must make when confronted with budget shortfalls, even for projects intended to improve efficiency and revenue collection.

The details

The McColl Town Council had approved the $1 million project to install 1,000 new digital water meters that could be read remotely, aiming to improve billing accuracy and address potential revenue losses from faulty or unread meters. However, Mayor Outlaw has vetoed the project, citing the town's $316,000 budget deficit and the need to first address delinquent financial audits and aging water pipes before taking on a new 12-year financial obligation.

  • The McColl Town Council approved the water meter project on March 30, 2026.
  • Mayor Outlaw issued his veto of the project in April 2026.

The players

Robert Outlaw

The mayor of McColl, South Carolina, who has vetoed a $1 million project to install new digital water meters in the town due to its $316,000 budget deficit and need to prioritize fixing the aging water infrastructure.

McColl Town Council

The town council that initially approved the $1 million water meter upgrade project, which Mayor Outlaw has now vetoed.

South Carolina Treasurer's Office

The state agency that has withheld $158,542.72 in funds from McColl due to the town's delinquent financial audits from 2024.

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What they’re saying

“I was led to believe that it was a done deal. It was all ready to go. But it's not.”

— Robert Outlaw, Mayor of McColl

“At this moment we estimate nearly 200 meters that are not being utilized appropriately due to many factors such as, some residents who don't have meters, meters not working properly, meters not within a visible area to be read each month, meters that are broken, etc.”

— McColl Town Officials

“We're fighting, trying to get our budget passed now, and we're $316,000 in the red, you know. So how are we going to justify putting in these new meters?”

— Robert Outlaw, Mayor of McColl

What’s next

Mayor Outlaw said the town is working to complete its overdue financial audits from 2024 so it can receive withheld state funding. The town council will also need to decide whether to override the mayor's veto of the water meter project.

The takeaway

McColl's financial troubles underscore the difficult decisions facing many small towns as they balance infrastructure needs with budget constraints. The mayor's veto of the water meter project shows how delinquent audits and budget deficits can force tough choices, even for projects intended to improve efficiency and revenue.