PENDLETON, S.C. —
In Pendleton, South Carolina, Fire Chief Tommy Brock says a substation could help firefighters reach some neighborhoods faster, but the project is tied up in a dispute over state money that has been sitting with the town.
"Our main goal is to make sure that when somebody dials 911 that they get the best possible care," Brock said.
When a fire breaks out, response time matters. Brock wants the town of Pendleton to release state funds to build a substation. According to Brock, the substation would put firefighters closer to people on the west side of town where there is a lot of growth.
"It would cut the response time down tremendously," Brock said.
However, Pendleton Mayor Sarah Stokowski told WYFF 4 that she does not know if the town can legally release the state funds.
For years, there have been talks of a new building for the Pendleton Volunteer Fire Department.
"We're so grateful for them," Stokowski said. "It's also important to note that it is a nonprofit entity, and it's completely separate from the town."
According to Stokowski, before her term, in 2019, the town received a law enforcement grant.
"It is important to note that the grant was issued to the town of Pendleton for the Pendleton Fire Department for the construction of a new building," Stokowski said. "I'm not sure why that building wasn't built."
According to the mayor, in 2021, the town received $250,000 from the state. In late December 2025, the council agreed the money would be considered for use for a fire substation.
"The money belongs to the Pendleton Volunteer Fire Department Inc.," Brock said.
WYFF 4 was sent an email exchange among South Carolina Rep. Blake Sanders, Stokowski and Brock back in June of this year. Sanders sent the town of Pendleton steps on what should happen before the fire department received the funds. The mayor then asked Brock to submit the required documentation. The chief said he sent the documentation the next day.
"Our attorney, for the town, responded back, 'Can you help us understand why you believe these funds are the volunteer fire department's funds because all of the records that we have say specifically, "Town of Pendleton,"'" said Stokowski.
The fire chief highlighted the town's budget for fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23, in which it labels fire department grant funds with an amount of 250,000.
"If it's not the fire department's, why is it a fire department grant fund?" asked Brock.
WYFF 4 asked the mayor and interim town administrator why the item was labeled "fire department grant funds" and if the funds were from the state.
WYFF 4 was sent the following statement from town officials:
"Unfortunately, the person who created that budget is no longer here. If that refers to $250,000, it was a payment to the Town of Pendleton for a Local Law Enforcement Grant to construct a Pendleton Fire Station. (per documentation already shared)."
"How can the town legally give them to that nonprofit organization?" Stokowski said. "No one is withholding funds."
According to Stokowski, the town needs to hear from the state delegation on whether it can legally release the funds.
WYFF 4 reached out to Sanders and asked what else needs to be done for the funds to be legally released, as well as who the state says should receive these funds.
WYFF 4 was given the following statement from Sanders:
"My understanding was that once Chief Brock submitted the requested letter documenting the intended use of the funds, the Town had what it needed to move forward with disbursement. That is why my June 29 email specifically referenced submitting the letter and a disbursement check following.
"I am not aware of any additional action required by the Anderson County Legislative Delegation. The appropriated funds have been awarded, and the letter was intended to document the Fire Department’s request and use of those funds.
"My understanding has consistently been that these funds were specifically intended for the Pendleton Fire Department and its fire station project. If the Town of Pendleton was the governmental entity designated to receive the appropriation, that did not change the stated purpose of the funding.
"Ultimately, the appropriation language and the state agency’s disbursement documentation are the controlling records regarding the legal recipient and permitted use of the funds."
Pendleton town officials responded to Sanders' statement with the following quote:
"We are unsure if Representative Sanders has the proper authority to give the Town permission on behalf of the State Delegation."
WYFF 4 will continue to update you on this story as we learn more.
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