Lawrence "Chipper" Smith

Voted against moving $250,000 in opioid settlement money to a different counseling provider. He then voted to give $557,484 to five recovery and support groups, which passed 5-2.

July 8, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Moved to create a five-member Opioid Response Commission to review requests for opioid settlement money. It passed 7-0 after members were required to disclose ties to groups seeking funds.

April 13, 2026Supports Government Efficiency

Source: florencesc.api.civicclerk.com

Moved to reopen the 2026-27 city budget vote. He then voted to shift $80,000 from the airport to the regional bus system and for the final budget, which had no tax rate increase and passed 6-1.

June 8, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: florencesc.api.civicclerk.com

Moved to approve a grant and development deal to help build new housing in East Florence. It passed 7-0.

October 13, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Voted to move $500,000 of federal pandemic aid into the general fund for four police cars and a garbage truck. It passed 6-1.

September 11, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Voted to move $500,000 of federal pandemic aid into the general fund for four police cars and a garbage truck. It passed 6-1.

September 11, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Voted for a rewrite of the city's public nuisance and dangerous-animal rules. It passed 6-1.

August 14, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Moved to approve a grant and development deal to help build new housing in East Florence. It passed 7-0.

October 13, 2025Supports Housing Affordability

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Voted to annex and zone 1.467 acres on Toscanna Drive for townhomes, over objections from nearby homeowners. It passed 5-2.

May 12, 2025Supports Housing Affordability

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Moved to narrow a rezoning near Church and Barringer streets so the land allowed townhome-style housing instead of wider commercial uses. The change passed 7-0.

October 14, 2024Supports Housing Affordability

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Voted to rezone 1110 Oakland Avenue so townhomes could be built among single-family homes. The rezoning failed 2-5; he and Councilman McCall were the only yes votes.

February 12, 2024Supports Housing Affordability

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Moved to delay a rezoning of the old Housing Authority office site at 400 East Pine Street. The plan was 64 affordable rental townhomes. The delay passed 7-0.

March 13, 2023Opposes Housing Affordability

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Voted to give two city-owned lots on Oakland Avenue to the Florence Housing Authority for a community building. It passed 6-1.

August 11, 2025Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Voted against moving $250,000 in opioid settlement money to a different counseling provider. He then voted to give $557,484 to five recovery and support groups, which passed 5-2.

July 8, 2024Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Voted to change the city's federal housing grant budget to give $25,000 to No One Unsheltered and $20,000 to My Brother's Keeper. The change passed 6-1.

May 8, 2023Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Moved to reopen the 2026-27 city budget vote. He then voted to shift $80,000 from the airport to the regional bus system and for the final budget, which had no tax rate increase and passed 6-1.

June 8, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: florencesc.api.civicclerk.com

Voted to move $500,000 of federal pandemic aid into the general fund for four police cars and a garbage truck. It passed 6-1.

September 11, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Moved to adopt a cemetery protection rule. It requires developers to have an expert find and map graves before building. It passed 7-0.

June 9, 2025

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Voted to let beer and wine be sold at special events in more city spaces, including Timrod Park. It passed 4-3.

April 14, 2025

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Moved to pass a temporary pause on final building approvals for land that holds cemeteries. It passed 6-0.

March 10, 2025

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Moved to approve the city manager's contract after a closed-door session. It passed 6-0.

January 13, 2025

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Was appointed to the council's Community Development Committee and its Finance, Audit and Budget Committee.

December 9, 2024

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Voted to appoint Scotty Davis as interim city manager. The appointment passed 6-1.

December 11, 2023

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Recused himself from the council's hearing and vote to remove a Florence Housing Authority board member over ethics claims. He cited a conflict from his own past service on that board.

April 20, 2023

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Was named to the council's Finance, Audit and Budget Committee, its Marketing and Public Relations Committee, and the City-County Conference Committee.

December 12, 2022

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov

Took the oath of office as the new District 2 member of Florence City Council at a public swearing-in.

November 21, 2022

Source: cityofflorencesc.gov