Greenwood City Council hears CPST update

Madeline Adams’ dedication to duty stole the show at Monday’s Greenwood City Council meeting.

With 48-and-a-half years under her belt, the seasoned school crossing guard received a standing ovation as she received special recognition from council on her retirement. Adams was flanked by Mayor Brandon Smith and Police Chief T.J. Chaudoin as she received an engraved memento from the city, alongside a bouquet of flowers and an envelope of money collected for her from her supporters in the city.

“I think it’s a testament to the work ethic of a different generation,” Smith said. “I’m not going to name names, but I think there’s at least three of us here she helped cross the road back in school.”

The meat of the meeting was spent getting an update from Greenwood County Capital Project Sales Tax Coordinator Josh Skinner. Approved in a referendum during the 2016 election, the CPST is a 1% sales tax increase that intends to fund 27 projects that were listed on the referendum. The tax expires after eight years, or after collecting $87.9 million, whichever comes first.

Many of the city-specific projects aren’t scheduled to be funded until late 2024 and into 2025. They include the creation of the Carolina Avenue Connector, which will connect South Main Street and the Greenwood Genetic Center campus with Liner Drive. Other projects include renovations of the Arts Center, Railroad Historical Center and purchasing a tractor-drawn aerial fire truck for the city Fire Department.

Councilman Johnathan Bass asked if there’s likely to be another CPST proposed to voters on the 2024 ballot, but Skinner said Greenwood County Council hasn’t made a decision on that matter. Bass was concerned about how much time the city might have to prepare and submit project applications if the county chose to move forward with another CPST.

Councilwoman Niki Hutto recalled the advertising campaign to inform the public and drum up support for the CPST in 2016, and wondered when that would have to begin if the county sought another tax referendum for 2024.

Smith asked Skinner about the affect inflation and the economy has had on the cost of projects. As an example, City Manager Julie Wilkie said when the city priced the tractor-drawn aerial truck for the fire department in 2016, it cost $1.4 million. Now it costs about $1.9 million, and the city has already committed the difference in that cost toward ordering a truck that likely won’t be delivered for years.

Council also voted to approve distribution of the city’s accommodations tax funds. Of the $134,220.14 the city had to distribute, part of it is automatically allocated by law — $35,310.76 automatically went to the City of Greenwood, $61,864.59 to Discover Greenwood.

Other agencies then request funds from the remaining balance. The Arts Center of Greenwood, S.C. Festival of Discovery and S.C. Festival of Flowers all made requests: $75,000, $40,000 and $38,000, respectively. Council approved the full amount for the Arts Center, but approved $29,610.07 each to the two festivals.

Bass said the council had discussed accommodations and hospitality tax extensively last year, and after sitting down with the city’s attorney and Wilkie, he had a much better understanding of what these taxes are for, and how they’re supposed to be used.

“It’s very clear to me that we need to encourage groups that are relying on us for operating dollars that this is not a reliable source,” he said.

In other business:

Council presented a proclamation to Anthony Price of the Greenwood Pathway House for being a regional finalist for the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award. Price was joined by the restaurant’s cow mascot.

FinTrust Capital Advisors updated council on its approach to investing the city’s money.

Council approved first reading of a request to rezone about 0.35 acres at 97 Kirksey Drive West from neighborhood commercial to general commercial. The lone dissenting vote was by Councilman Ronnie Ables, who didn’t want to see cars parked on that lot and questioned whether the cars on the owner’s existing property were appropriately tagged.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Sep 18, 2023

 By DAMIAN DOMINGUEZ ddominguez@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/greenwood-city-council-hears-cpst-update/article_b3687230-59ab-56de-a5b2-7cdfc6dbb85a.html