Sound approach being taken to funding sales tax project

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If you live in Greenwood County, you can expect to pay more taxes after the November election. You can also expect people in neighboring counties will be paying more in taxes when they are in your home county.

Come November, Greenwood County voters will be given an opportunity to vote on a capital project sales tax. If approved by the voters, the penny tax will be applied toward funding a prioritized list of special projects identified by a locally appointed commission.

This penny tax is similar to the one that put dollars in the bank to make federally mandated upgrades to the Buzzard Roost Dam at the south end of Lake Greenwood. While that money remains set aside to fund the project once the county and feds agree on the details. But the penny tax was also applied to funding the construction of the county’s new library.

Those projects were lumped together by the county council, put before voters by way of referendum and approved. In less time than needed, the county had the dollars it needed and the penny sales tax rolled off.

This year, a more comprehensive study effort is being applied to identify and determine what projects will be on the referendum. The city and county have teamed to build five comprehensive study committees that will then bring their recommendations before a larger committee. On Friday, the members and chairs of the five teams were announced. They represent the key areas of economic development, infrastructure, parks and recreation, public safety and quality of life. Each committee has the task of reviewing applications for various projects that would potentially be funded by the sales tax.

Much work lies ahead in the coming weeks and months as these committees, which consist of people knowledgeable in and devoted to their particular areas of study. The committees, as spelled out in Saturday’s news story, are also diverse and representative of the city and county population. These are not “feel good” committees. These are people who genuinely care about Greenwood County and its future.

Another tax? Yes, but it is a temporarytax that is also about as fair as a tax can be. We already know there are many areas of need identified within the greater community. Some residents would argue the point of need versus want, or now versus later. But the committees will help in that regard. They will closely review the projects, assign priority status and make presentations. The overall committee will then undertake a similar review process before determining what is put before voters, and the voters will, of course, have the final say.

How can we improve the county’s quality of life, for example? Will another park be what serves residents well? Or is public safety, such as an enhanced and revamped fire response structure, a more immediate need? When you consider the five-prong approach the city and county are undertaking, it is easy to see that a good many wants and needs will be put before the committees, and one can — even should — expect that exhaustive work and study will have been applied before the referendum is drafted.

In short, we fully expect that a solid needs list will have been identified.

What is important to remember is that the burden of funding whatever projects lie ahead will be shared equally among those who make purchases in the county. A penny sales tax means not only are residents helping put dollars in the coffer for projects that will enhance their county, but also those who live outside the county and who shop here.

The anticipated revenue the tax will generate, between $9 million and $9.53 million each year, is no chump change. And the projects themselves will not be without sizable price tags. Thus, it is far better that we can rely on the spending of others to help raise those dollars to improve our own county, a county that, we remind you, those others also come to enjoy.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on: Jan 17, 2016

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/opinion/editorials/sound-approach-being-taken-to-funding-sales-tax-project/article_1dbd4482-c071-5747-a6eb-ab41b1a5be9f.html

City unveils possible projects for capital sales tax

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With the application process in full swing, the city rolled out some potential projects to be funded by a possible capital sales tax in the coming years.

City Manager Charlie Barrineau updated City Council on Monday with a collection of anticipated projects located in the city likely to be presented to the capital project sales commission, which was appointed by County Council and City Council, and ultimately residents of Greenwood County and its municipalities.

County Council Chairman Steve Brown announced the county’s intent in pursuing a 1-percent capital project sales tax, also known as a penny tax, in July during his State of the County Address and will likely start funding projects in 2018.

The county opened up the application process last week, accepting applications for capital projects to be funded by the tax if approved by County Council and the general public as a referendum on the November ballot.

Acceptable projects are outlined in state statute and the county plans on focusing on five major categories: economic development, infrastructure, parks and recreation, public safety and quality of life.

Barrineau said the city will focus on projects outside the city center.

“We have heard in the past that people feel Uptown gets a lot of love, so we’re focusing on projects outside the Uptown,” Barrineau said.

Parks and recreation

Barrineau said he is anticipating the Greater Greenwood Parks and Trails Foundation to submit one unified application for park, trail and greenspace projects countywide and focusing on three key parks in city limits, including Magnolia Park, Grace Street Park and a new park in South Greenwood.

Magnolia Park, one of the city’s oldest parks near Uptown, is in need of upgrades, while Grace Street Park, which is newer and includes a dog park, has been a recent focus for development.

Meetings have already been organized to establish a park in South Greenwood at Foundry Road, marking a first for the area with plans to work with the Greenwood Housing Authority.

Barrineau said plans have been developed for an about $2 million park on land owned by the housing authority near the old foundry.

City Council shared concerns with future funding for maintenance of parks and other capital projects coming from the tax, however, Barrineau said those details are likely to get worked out throughout the process.

“At this point, we are simply at the application level,” Barrineau said.

Councilman Kenn Wiltshire said the process will be a good opportunity to work closely with the county on any joint projects moving forward.

“This is probably the best way to work with the county,” Wiltshire said.

Councilwoman Niki Hutto said she would like to have the commitment of the parks foundation, the Greenwood County Parks Commission and the county on the parks projects, among others, since residents living outside city limits often enjoy facilities paid for and operated by the city.

Barrineau said bike and pedestrian pathways will likely be looked at by the parks and recreation committee as well, which were outlined in a recent pedestrian and bicycle master plan.

Public safety

Barrineau said the county is interested in upgrading the countywide public safety radio system to 800 megahertz, which would warrant an upgrade for the city as well in order to be on the same system.

Other projects in public safety could include upgrading the Greenwood Police Department and Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office records management system and constructing a joint law enforcement facility for police, fire and EMS.

Barrineau said the city could also include a new platform pumper fire truck to replace a 1973 model for about $1.2 million.

Infrastructure

Storm drainage issues and creek-stream restoration that would impact the public at large are the focus for the city with many issues being revealed after record levels of rainfall this fall and winter, causing flooding throughout the county, according to Barrineau.

Barrineau said the U.S. Geological Survey rain gauge at Sample Branch near the Kia car dealership showed more than 30 inches of rain from October to the end of the year, compared to less than 10 inches recorded during the same stretch last year.

Quality of life

Barrineau said the commission could include demolition of distressed structures for open space, which Sumter County successfully passed and strategically placed at the end of the projects list in order to use some funds to remove blighted properties.

The properties must be publicly owned in order to use tax funds and can be identified later if successfully passed by the popular vote.

Economic development

While the city did not offer any potential projects in economic development, Barrineau said the county and the Greenwood Partnership Alliance will likely submit some items.

Brown said during his State of the County Address the county will focus on the construction of a speculative building for industrial and manufacturing recruitment and an advanced manufacturing training facility at Piedmont Technical College, as well as implementation of the rural fire master plan, Civic Center recreation complex revitalization and county road improvements.

Each project application will be reviewed for accordance with state law and turned over to five committees to make recommendations to the capital project sales tax commission, which will draft the referendum question and project list for the ballot.

Applications can be downloaded on the county website at www.greenwoodsc.gov. A full text of the capital project sales tax state statute can also be found on the county website.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Jan 4, 2016

 By COLIN RIDDLE criddle@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/city-unveils-possible-projects-for-capital-sales-tax/article_ede262d7-cd10-585f-9ef5-fde7dbb053ea.html

City completes capital sales tax commission with appointments

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Three more people have been added to the commission charged with finalizing a list of capital projects to be funded by a possible 1-percent sales tax.

Greenwood City Council approved adding to the commission city of Greenwood residents Nicholas Beasley and Anne Gunby during a special-called meeting Monday.

Beasley is the rector at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Greenwood, and Gunby is a real estate agent at A-Z Realty.

The two represent the city’s appointments for the capital projects sales tax commission, which was created by Greenwood County Council last month.

The county appointed three members to the six-person commission at the time with the city required to appoint two based on population of municipalities in the county.

Under state law, the two city selections choose the final member of the commission as the remaining municipalities do not have enough residents to each warrant their own representative. However, the final selection must represent the remaining municipalities — Hodges, Ninety Six, Troy and Ware Shoals.

City Manager Charlie Barrineau said the anticipated appointment by Beasley and Gunby is Angela Evans of Ninety Six, who will join County Council’s appointees — Ruth LaForge, Steve Coleman and David Tompkins — on the commission.

Evans is payroll coordinator at Wesley Commons, LaForge is the retired community development director with Upper Savannah Council of Governments, Coleman is Project Genesis director at Piedmont Technical College, and David Tompkins is senior vice president and Greenwood market executive at Countybank.

“We tried our best to really think of six people that really reflect our community,” Barrineau said.

Barrineau said there was a lot of discussion and finding diversity was a goal by including different ages, races and genders.

County Manager Toby Chappell said at the time of the county’s selection that credibility, expertise and diversity were important factors in selecting a commission.

The commission will be charged with vetting potential capital projects that could be funded by the tax, also known as a penny tax.

Voters must approve the tax at a referendum before it is implemented. The referendum must include a list of projects, which will be formed by the commission. The referendum is expected to appear on the 2016 ballot.

Barrineau said the commission will use a committee model borrowed from Sumter County and includes five committees that will review projects for public safety, quality of life, parks and recreation, economic development and infrastructure.

The committees will select projects that the five committee chairs will review as a whole before making recommendations to the commission.

While the smaller municipalities are not represented at the levels of the county and the city of Greenwood, the committees will serve as opportunities for others to get involved, Barrineau said.

“The key to remember is there are 25-plus more people that will be involved in this process,” Barrineau said.

Greenwood County Council also previously approved requesting the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce to handle all the marketing for the project, including setting up meetings and projects requests, since the county is not allowed to spend money influencing an election.

The county successfully passed a capital sales tax in 2006, which took effect in fiscal year 2008, and eventually raised about $43 million in less than six years. Each year ranged from about $8 million to about $8.6 million. A capital sales tax can be implemented for up to eight years and seven years if reimposed.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Dec 7, 2015

 By COLIN RIDDLE criddle@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/city-completes-capital-sales-tax-commission-with-appointments/article_6bcde052-9a2b-5fc7-b7c3-3867bb0b1faa.html

County approves capital sales tax commission, selects reps

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Greenwood County Council created a capital projects sales tax commission and appointed its first three members Tuesday.

Ruth LaForge, retired community development director with Upper Savannah Council of Governments; Steve Coleman, Project Genesis director at Piedmont Technical College; and David Tompkins, senior vice president and Greenwood market executive at Countybank, were approved to represent the county on the committee.

Greenwood City Council will appoint two people to represent the city on the committee. Those two members will select a final member, which must come from Ninety Six or Ware Shoals, one of the unrepresented municipalities.

“We looked at multiple people for the many roles this project will take on,” County Manager Toby Chappell said. “I think it’s important that you have people in the community that have credibility; it’s important to have people with expertise.”

The commission will be charged with vetting potential capital projects that could be funded by the tax, also known as a penny tax, which is a 1-percent sales tax for the county

Voters must approve the tax at a referendum before it is implemented. The referendum must include a list of projects, which will be formed by the commission. The city expects the referendum to appear on the 2016 ballot.

Chappell said the county will have five committees that will review projects for public safety, quality of life, parks and recreation, economic development and infrastructure.

The committees will select projects that the five committee chairs will review as a whole before making recommendations to the commission.

Chappell said this organization comes from Sumter County’s two successful capital projects sales tax.

County Council also approved the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce to handle all the marketing for the project, including setting up meetings and projects requests.

Chappell said the county is not allowed to spend money influencing an election

“That’s why it is important to have a separate entity designated for marketing,” Chappell said.

The county successfully passed a capital sales tax in 2006, which took effect in fiscal year 2008, and eventually raised about $43 million in less than six years. Each year ranged from about $8 million to about $8.6 million. A capital sales tax can be implemented for up to eight years and seven years if reimposed.

The county has a fund balance of about $21 million, which can be used for any updates needed for the Buzzard Roost dam determined from the recent findings of a hydrology study.

The county used about $9.4 million to build the new library off Main Street. About $12 million was used to pay off the county’s remaining debt after savings from the first phase of work on the dam, which required just more than $1 million.

Chappell said the county is still working on estimates with the state Department of Revenue for what the new tax will raise annually.

In other business:

— County Council approved adjusting the county fire fee for commercial properties, putting the max at $1,091 for those properties, which had previously been $350 before being increased to $4,000 under a new schedule meant to help raise more revenue for the fire service. The adjustment affects about 75 taxpayers, who expressed concern over the new fee. A full schedule of the fire fee and 2016 budget can be found on the county’s website: greenwoodsc.gov.

— Council approved the Lake Greenwood Master Plan.

— Chappell told Council state expects a $1.2 billion surplus in next year’s budget, while noting the state owes the county $1 million from the county’s underfunded appropriation from the state’s local government fund.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Nov 18, 2015

By COLIN RIDDLE criddle@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/county-approves-capital-sales-tax-commission-selects-reps/article_1010e667-c118-56d9-a3f8-65547b101f59.html

Partnership foundation offering support for capital sales tax

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Greenwood Partnership Alliance’s board of directors was notified Wednesday of a vote of support coming from its Foundation for a Greater Greenwood County in providing $15,000 for capital projects sales tax marketing.

Greenwood County Council approved formally requesting the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce to facilitate the marketing on Tuesday for the 1-percent sales tax.

The marketing is geared toward advertising projects and meetings, and driving support for the tax likely being placed on next year’s November ballot.

The sales tax must be brought to voters by a referendum and will include a list of capital projects to be funded by the tax.

Board Chairman Jim Medford said the goal was to raise about $50,000 for marketing with the Piedmont Technical College Foundation also agreeing to provide $15,000.

“I think the money that’s being invested for this is going to pay huge dividends,” Ray Brooks, president of Piedmont Tech, said. “I think what we’ve got here is an opportunity to keep investing in our community.”

Medford said a capital projects sales tax could help fund the construction of a speculative building for the county, which eliminates risk for prospective companies by supplying what is essentially a move-in-ready building.

He said the county has a limited inventory for available industrial buildings and few companies are wanting to wait on building from the ground up.

“Obviously, timing in life is everything,” Medford said.

In the meantime, Heather Simmons Jones, chief executive officer for the Partnership, said the county can continue to push pre-permitted, shovel-ready sites, such as the North Industrial Park, which recently received site certification from the state Department of Commerce.

In other business:

— Greenwood Promise campaign chairman Jim Pfeiffer provided an update to the board on fundraising efforts, which includes more than $3.7 million raised since launching of its $5 million goal to fund the first phase of the scholarship endowment.

— The board approved transitioning Karen Long, who has been working in a part-time role as the Greenwood Promise campaign coordinator, into a full-time position for the Promise.

— Antonio Sequeira of Colombo Energy was approved as a board member and Thornwell Dunlap III as treasurer for the Foundation to fill the roles of Charles Schulze, who recently retired from Elliott Davis Decosimo.

— The Partnership is working to get the East Rail Park site, off Emerald Road, certified and will participate in the third step, which is engineering and surveying, according to Simmons Jones.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Nov 18, 2015

 By COLIN RIDDLEcriddle@indexjournal.com

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/partnership-foundation-offering-support-for-capital-sales-tax/article_46b84956-a8ee-54c6-a7ff-12a0fb2827b9.html

PUBLIC MEETINGS: Nov. 1

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MONDAY

HODGES TOWN COUNCIL

TIME: 7 p.m.

LOCATION: Hodges Town Hall.

CALHOUN FALLS TOWN COUNCIL

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: Calhoun Falls Civic Center, 401 N. Washington St.

AGENDA: Called meeting. Second reading, tax anticipation notice ordinance. Closed meeting to discuss contractual matters regarding bank options.

SALUDA COUNTY COUNCIL

TIME: 2 p.m.

LOCATION: county administration building, 400 W. Highland St., Saluda, council chambers.

AGENDA: Called closed meeting to discuss a contractual matter and to receive legal advice.

TUESDAY

GREENWOOD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

TIME: 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Emmett F. Brooks Facility, 110 Metro Drive.

AGENDA: Called meeting. Closed meeting to discuss 1) contractual matter regarding refunding 2006 revenue bond debt; 2) discuss contractual matter regarding moving of a buried electrical line. Afterward, regular session, action on items: consider approving bank bids for refunding of 2006 Revenue Bonds; consider moving a buried electrical line.

SALUDA TOWN COUNCIL

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: Saluda Town Hall, 100 S. Jefferson St.

AGENDA: Department Reports. Approval to purchase Northland Cable property; agreement to allow county magistrates to conduct bond hearings. Public comments; council comments. Date for Christmas Parade has been changed to Dec. 5, because of scheduling conflicts with Events and Tourism Committee.

GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE COMMITTEE

TIME: 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Greenwood County Library Veterans Auditorium, 600 Main St. S.

AGENDA: Lake Greenwood Master Plan. Recommendations for 2015 Accommodations Tax funding requests; memorandum of understanding with City of Greenwood for hazardous material services; resolution adopting 2015 Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan; recommendation to award fiscal year 2015-16 CTC S.C. Local Paving Project to Satterfield Construction, not to exceed $550,000; recommendation to approve the airport capital improvement plan; recommendation to sell an ambulance previously used for transport to first response EMS (City of Detroit) for $25,500; recommendation from Greenwood City/County Planning Commission to rezone 3.31 acres at 3308 Highway 25 S. from agricultural district to general commercial; recommendation from Greenwood City/County Planning Commission to rezone 2.33 acres at 633 Davis St. and 0.61 acre at 635 Davis St. from two-family residential to agricultural district. Pending items: Backwater Road, Newport Subdivision; DNR funding for Lake Greenwood Master Plan; Public Safety Training Facility. (If needed) Closed meeting: 1) discuss proposed contractual arrangements pertaining to a referendum for a Capital Project Sales Tax; 2) discuss matters relating to the proposed location, expansion, or the provision of services encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by Greenwood County; 3) receipt of legal advice where the legal advice relates to matters covered by the attorney client privilege; 4) discuss matters relating to the proposed location, expansion, or the provision of services encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by Greenwood County — Project Supershine; 5) discuss proposed contractual arrangements pertaining to a referendum the Buzzard Roost Dam.

GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

TIME: 5:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Greenwood County Library Veterans Auditorium, 600 Main St. S.

AGENDA: Public comments (sign-in only); public hearing; old business. First reading, ordinance to rezone 3.31 acres at 3308 Highway 25 S. from agricultural district to general commercial; first reading, ordinance to rezone 2.33 acres at 633 Davis St. and 0.61 acre at 635 Davis St. from two-family residential to agricultural district; recommendations for 2015 Accommodations Tax funding requests; memorandum of understanding with City of Greenwood for hazardous material services; resolution adopting 2015 Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan; recommendation to award fiscal year 2015-16 CTC S.C. Local Paving Project to Satterfield Construction, not to exceed $550,000; recommendation to approve the Airport Capital Improvement Plan; recommendation to sell ambulance previously used for transport to first response EMS (City of Detroit) for $25,500; discussion of Cash Management Policy 12.1. District reports; manager’s report. (If needed) Closed meeting: 1) discuss proposed contractual arrangements pertaining to a) a referendum for a Capital Project Sales Tax and b) Buzzard Roost Dam; 2) receipt of legal advice where the legal advice relates to matters covered by the attorney client privilege; 3) discuss matters relating to the proposed location, expansion, or the provision of services encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by Greenwood County ? Project Supershine; 4) discuss employment, appointment, compensation, promotion, demotion, discipline, or release of an employee, a student, or a person regulated by a public body or the appointment of a person to a public body.

WEDNESDAY

GREENWOOD PARKS COMMISSION

GREATER GREENWOOD PARKS AND TRAILS FOUNDATION

TIME: 5:30 p.m.

LOCATION: 109 W. Court Ave.

THURSDAY

GREENWOOD COUNTY

BOARD OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS

TIME: 10 a.m.

LOCATION: 600 Monument St., Park Plaza, Suite 113.

AGENDA: administer oath to chairman; administer oath to board members; recount, if necessary; certification of Ninety Six municipal election; call for potential runoff; discussion and preparation for Republican and Democratic presidential preference primaries; presentation of Office Procedures Policies, issuing VR cards and taking absentee ballots, computer use policy, and voters marked I-C; discussion and review of inactive/ convicted policy; other items for discussion; next meeting.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Oct 31, 2015

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/community/public-meetings-nov-1/article_400f13b3-eecf-593e-82c5-88099cbac43d.html

PUBLIC MEETINGS: Oct. 18

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MONDAY

GREENWOOD CITY COUNCIL

TIME: 5:30 p.m.

LOCATION: municipal building, council chambers, room 207.

AGENDA: Public hearings: second reading, ordinance amending City of Greenwood hospitality fund budgets for 2015; second reading, ordinance deleting Section 2-57 of City of reenwood Code of Ordinances; first reading, ordinance amending Ordinance 03-010, Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 4, Section 4.6.4.12., Wall Sign Standards for Businesses Selling Food and/or Beverages I the Uptown Overlay Zoning District; first reading, ordinance rezoning parcel at 1427 E. Cambridge Ave., 32.5 acres, from Institutional Professional to General Commercial. Second reading, Ordinance 15-030, Ordinance 03-010, Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 6, Supplemental Regulations; Article 9, Dumpster Construction and Screening; adding Sections 6.9.1., 6.9.2., and 6.9.3. First reading, ordinance deleting Section 2-57 of City of Greenwood Code of Ordinance. Consider Small Business Saturday proclamation. (If needed) Closed meeting to discuss 1) contractual arrangement with Greenwood County regarding HazMat and special operations; 2) legal matter related to Joseph Azar, Frank J. Cumberland Jr., and Michael A. Letts, individually and as class representatives, appellants, vs. City of Columbia, respondent. Afterward, Council comments; city manager comments.

NINETY SIX TOWN COUNCIL

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: Visitors Center.

AGENDA: financial statement; committee reports; department reports. (If needed) Closed meeting.

UPPER SAVANNAH COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

TIME: 6 p.m., supper; meeting begins 6:30.

LOCATION: council office, 430 Helix Road.

AGENDA: annual legislators forum.

ABBEVILLE COUNTY COUNCIL

ABBEVILLE CITY COUNCIL

TIME: 7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Piedmont Tech Abbeville campus, Room 24.

AGENDA: joint meeting of city and county councils joint discussion — economic development; neighborhood and housing re-development; CTC funding, youth athletics, water utility resources, Lake Secession, county-city collaboration. Concluding discussion.

GREENWOOD

SCHOOL DISTRICT 50 TRUSTEES

TIME:6 p.m.

LOCATION: Genesis Education Center, 400 Glenwood St., boardroom.

AGENDA: Student/staff recognition; United Way kickoff; professional development and early release; financial updates, activity bus. Open forum. Action items make-up days. Closed meeting to discuss student suspension appeal; personnel matters, hiring and release from contract. More action items: personnel 4ecommendations and vacancies.

GREENWOOD

SCHOOL DISTRICT 51 TRUSTEES

TIME:5 p.m.

LOCATION: Ware Shoals Community Library.

AGENDA: Public input. Action on policy revisions, second readings for IHAM, IHBH, BEDB, IKF-R, EEAE, IC, first reading on JLF. Other action items: inclement weather make-up day; GATE Plan; personnel recommendations; budget recommendation. Budget-finance; school tours, Ware Shoals High, Ware Shoals Middle-Elementary, Ware Shoals Primary.

McCORMICK COUNTY

SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES

TIME:6:15 p.m.

LOCATION: 821 N. Mine St., McCormick.

AGENDA: Called meeting. First, closed meeting begins at 6:25 p.m. to discuss personnel matters. Open session begins at 8:30.

TUESDAY

GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

TIME: 3:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Greenwood County Library.

AGENDA: Called closed meeting to discuss matters relating to proposed location, expansion or the provision of services encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body.

GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE COMMITTEE

TIME: 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Greenwood County Library Veterans Auditorium.

AGENDA: Quarterly update of Greenwood County investment portfolio; memorandum of understanding with Town of Ware Shoals for fire services; recommendations for 2015 accommodations ax funding requests; memorandum of understanding with City of Greenwood for hazardous material services; recommendation of Ulysses White (2 years), Wanda Baylor (3 years), and Johnny Lee McBride (4 years) as the commissioners for Raintree Special Tax District; recommendation of Barbara Covington (2 years), Bernard Watson (3 years), and Johnny A. Leaks (4 years) as commissioners for Magnolia Place Special Tax District; consider Department of Revenue extension of deadlines for county taxes under Section 12-4-520; clerk to council update. Pending items: Backwater Road, Newport Subdivision; DNR funding for Lake Greenwood Master Plan; Public Safety Training Facility. (If needed) Closed meeting: 1) discuss proposed contractual arrangements pertaining to a referendum for a Capital Project Sales Tax; 2) discuss matters relating to the proposed location, expansion, or the provision of services encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body; receipt of legal advice where the legal advice relates matters covered by the attorney client privilege.

GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

TIME: 5:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Greenwood County Library Veterans Auditorium.

AGENDA: Public comments (sign-in only). Public hearing in connection with the issuance by the authority of its Health Facilities Revenue Bonds, Wesley Commons Project, Series 2015, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $25 million, which may be issued in one or more series, the proceeds of which will be used by Wesley Commons. Resolution in support of the issuance by South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development authority of its Health Facilities Revenue Bonds (Wesley Commons Project) Series 2015, pursuant to the provisions of Title 41, Chapter 43, of The Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976, as amended, in aggregated principal not exceeding $25 million. Memorandum of understanding with Town of Ware Shoals for Fire Services; recommendations for 2015 accommodations tax funding requests; memorandum of understanding with City of Greenwood for hazardous material services; recommendation of Ulysses White (2 years), Wanda Baylor (3 years), and Johnny Lee McBride (4 years) as commissioners for Raintree Special Tax District; recommendation of Barbara Covington (2 years), Bernard Watson (3 years), and Johnny A. Leaks (4 years) as commissioners for Magnolia Place Special Tax District; consider Department of Revenue extension of deadlines for county taxes under Section 12-4-520; discussion of Mathis Road repairs. District reports; manager’s report. (If needed) Closed meeting: 1) discuss proposed contractual arrangements pertaining to a referendum for a capital project sales tax; 2) discuss matters relating to the proposed location, expansion, or the provision of services encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body; 3) receipt of legal advice where the legal advice relates matters covered by the attorney client privilege.

WARE SHOALS TOWN COUNCIL

TIME: 6:30 p.m.

LOCATION: town hall, 8 Mill St.

McCORMICK COUNTY COUNCIL

TIME: 7 p.m.

LOCATION: county administration center, 610 S. Mine St., McCormick.

AGENDA: Public hearing and third reading, ordinance to reduce SCRUT taxes. Resolution regarding expenditure of Title III Funds for fiscal year 2014-15.; resolution on bonding of county employees; council to authorize administrator to use $2,048.69 from Title III account for Clemson Extension Service budget request for fiscal year 2014-15; consider appointing Mike Vollmer to SLV Special Tax Commission, term beginning Jan. 1, 2016; consider authorizing administrator to use monies, not to exceed $18,000, from economic development account, for branding the downtown of McCormick. Committee reports. (If needed) Closed meeting to receive legal advice and to discuss contractual matters concerning economic development in SLV and to receive legal advice concerning the school district. Afterward, information on email from Edward H. Slimm.

McCORMICK

SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES

TIME:6 p.m.

LOCATION: 821 N. Mine St., McCormick.

AGENDA: Closed meeting starts 6:05 p.m., to discuss student and personnel matters. Open session begins at 8:30.

PIEDMONT TECH AREA COMMISSION

TIME: 5:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Lex Walters Campus, John S. Coleman Administration Building, room 222-A.

AGENDA: introduction of Ashley Jaillette, executive director of SCATCC; introduction of 2015-16 Presidential Ambassadors; LEAN update; policy revisions; financial review; president’s report.

THURSDAY

GREENWOOD CPW

TIME: 10 a.m.

LOCATION: 121 W. Court Ave., boardroom.

AGENDA: Bid opening, engineering services for gas design; financial report, statement. Consider bids for: postage machine; network switch; Microsoft licenses; mini-excavator; gas meter ERTs; gas meters; HSP No. 8 overhaul. Consider invoice for document imaging software license; consider service awards; presentation of small assets audit report; presentation of IT equipment audit report; consider Fund Transfer; consider 2010 bond fund re-allocation; consider revised NTE agreement. Election of officers; other business. (If needed) Closed meeting to discuss contractual matter.

 

Originally Published by Index-Journal on: Oct 17, 2015

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/community/public-meetings-oct-18/article_8ec54935-b647-51bf-91a1-cecb4d0fe086.html

Don’t let word ‘tax’ spook you just yet

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What’s scarier than a Halloween costume? Probably, for many people, the word “tax.” Let’s face it. Most of us associate that word with another word: increase. And that generally stirs up unpleasant thoughts and the utterance of unpleasantries.

Several Lakelands counties are poised to roll out a tax, only this one is a penny sales tax with a specific purpose. Labeled a capital sales tax, the 1 percent additional revenue it generates not only has a specific purpose — generally some sort of building project to meet an identified need — it also has a specific lifespan and revenue cap. A county will outline in great detail that it intends to raise X amount of dollars within Y number of years to go toward the construction of XYZ Project. If the money needed is not raised within the specified timeframe, the sales tax still rolls off the books by the designated sunset date. That said, counties typically do a good job of calculating the number of years a tax needs to remain on the books in order to collect the dollars needed to fund a project, and it’s not at all unusual for a tax to roll off the books ahead of schedule.

All of this is said to say that while a capital sales tax is indeed a tax, it is one of the best and most fair mechanisms counties can use in order to raise funds for needed projects. While there will no doubt be argument regarding the need for projects, capital projects are always put before the voters who will make the final decision as to the project’s merits. In Greenwood, for example, few might have argued against a penny sales tax to pay for reinforcing the Buzzard Roost Dam as directed by the federal government through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. More were vocal, however, when County Council tacked on the construction of a new library. Still, they were given the opportunity to support or fight the project in the voting booth.

So in that sense alone, the penny sales tax is fair. It is one of the best mechanisms for raising needed revenue in that the cost is shared, and shared widely. Using the Greenwood example, the dollars raised to reinstate the dam and build the library came not only from the pockets of county residents, but also from the pockets of those who come to Greenwood and spend their money. Shoppers from neighboring counties, tourists and short-term visitors alike contributed to the county’s projects.

Greenwood County residents will be given a chance to vote on a new project next November. What the project will be has yet to be determined, but focus groups have already discussed a number of options and are trying to identify needs in order of priority. Still, the ultimate decision will rest with the voters. McCormick and Abbeville counties are also considering the penny tax as a means of funding projects. How they go about it, and how they ultimately present their arguments to the voters will be key because a majority of voters will have to be convinced the project has merit.

At the end of the day, however, residents ought not get too spooked too soon just because the word “tax” is being invoked by their county councils.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Oct 13, 2015

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/opinion/editorials/dont-let-word-tax-spook-you-just-yet/article_6e0937b7-06ab-5c8e-aa6b-a1cd46f53786.html

Lakelands counties eyeing penny tax

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Come 2016, multiple counties in the Lakelands could be collecting pennies.

Known as a penny tax, the capital project sales tax has become a common tool for local governments to collect a little extra to fund large brick-and-mortar projects.

Greenwood County Council Chairman Steve Brown announced earlier this year during his State of the County address the county will be pursuing the tax, which must be placed on the ballot for a referendum.

Capital sales taxes are typically placed on the ballot during a general election year. The county’s pursuit is no exception and it is expected to place it on the ballot for next year’s election in November.

Abbeville County has already put together a committee as required by state statute to review project requests after failed attempts to place the tax on the ballot a year ago.

McCormick County Council called a joint meeting for Monday with its municipalities’ town councils, Commissioners of Public Works and the legislative delegation to discuss a capital sales tax.

State statute requires the county to put together a commission to review the projects and form the referendum question.

Greenwood County’s commission makeup includes three members appointed by County Council with the remaining three seats made up of the county’s municipalities based on population, meaning the city of Greenwood takes two seats with Ware Shoals and Ninety Six sharing a seat.

The county must appoint the commission 30 days prior to the referendum. After the commission makeup, the rest essentially falls on the counties on how to pursue examining requests throughout the county.

Greenwood County Manager Toby Chappell said the county is still in the organizational stage, working on how the process will work and how it will receive proposed projects.

“We’re putting that organization together as we speak,” Chappell said.

Chappell said there are two primary reasons for pursuing capital sales tax, which are millage increase restrictions from the state and avoiding debt.

Act 388 puts a limit on how much counties and municipalities can raise property taxes, making it difficult to make large capital purchases, such as new fire stations and other public buildings.

“You can’t do this in a normal budget cycle without taking out any debt,” Chappell said.

The other bonus is avoiding debt and raising the funds in bulk for the big purchases with about 40 percent of the funds coming from people living outside of Greenwood County.

“The good portion of this money comes from people who do not live in Greenwood. We are the regional hub of this area,” Chappell said.

Brown previously announced possible projects for the county, including the implementation of the rural fire master plan, a speculative building for industrial and manufacturing recruitment, an advanced manufacturing training facility at Piedmont Technical College, Civic Center recreation complex revitalization and county road improvements.

“We are going to be like all the other entities. We are going to have a list of projects that we are going to advocate to the committee to be funded,” Chappell said.

The county had successfully passed a capital sales tax in 2006, taking effect in fiscal year 2008, and eventually raising about $43 million in less than six years. Each year ranged from about $8 million to about $8.6 million. A capital sales tax can be implemented for up to eight years and seven years if reimposed.

The county still has a fund balance of about $21 million, which could be used for any updates needed for the Buzzard Roost dam determined from the recent findings of a hydrology study.

The county used about $9.4 million to build the new library off Main Street. About $12 million was used to pay off the county’s remaining debt after savings from the first phase of work on the dam, which required just more than $1 million.

Chappell said the county has yet to determine how much the tax would raise now and is still working with the state Department of Revenue.

While county growth is evident, the tax revenue could be affected by the 2009 adjustment to state statute exempting unprepared food, such as groceries, from being taxed the 1 percent.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Oct 10, 2015

By COLIN RIDDLE criddle@indexjournal.com

 Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/news/lakelands-counties-eyeing-penny-tax/article_d408bca9-696b-5e38-9cf6-642cf4ad7d8d.html

PUBLIC MEETINGS: Oct. 4

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MONDAY

GREENWOOD COUNTY FIRST STEPS

FULL PARTNERSHIP BOARD

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: 1402-C Highway 72 W.

GREEMWOOD PARKS COMMISSION

GREATER GREENWOOD PARKS AND TRAILS FOUNDATION

TIME: 1 p.m.

LOCATION: T.W. Boons, 405 Main St.

TUESDAY

ABBEVILLE AREA MEDICAL CENTER

TIME: noon.

LOCATION: administrative building, boardroom.

AGENDA:Called meeting.

SALUDA TOWN COUNCIL

TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: town hall, 100 S. Jefferson St.

AGENDA: Department reports; second reading, ordinance regarding Saluda Park fees; approval of 2016 council schedule and holiday closings; approval of Christmas parade date and time; discussion of indigent defense. (If needed) Closed meeting to discuss real estate transaction and court matters. Afterward, possible actions from closed meeting; public comments; council comments.

GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE COMMITTEE

TIME: 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Greenwood County Library Veterans Auditorium.

AGENDA: Amending Ordinance 2004-18 of the Greenwood county Code of Ordinance to include maintenance within the project boundaries of Lake Greenwood and corresponding resolution; resolution establishing regulations for excavating within the project boundaries of Lake Greenwood; resolution regarding encroachments upon Lake Greenwood subject to certain restrictive covenants of a subdivision or neighborhood; revision to Greenwood County Policy 10.4, Procurement Policy, pertaining to council approval; audit services recommendation; resolution in support of the issuance by S.C. Jobs-Economic Development Authority of its health facilities revenue bonds (Wesley Commons Project) Series 2015, pursuant to the provisions of Title 41, Chapter 43, of the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25 million; presentation of proposed Greenwood County road acceptance standards; Resolution 2015-26 to partner with Greenwood Regional Tourism and Visitors Bureau and SC Festival of Flowers; appointment of Rudolph Wise (2-year), Henry Cowins (3-year), and Joe L. Norman (4-year) as commissioners for Aspen Heights Special Tax District; appointment of Dorothy Spencer (2-year), Tommy Lee Chamberlin (3-year), and Rosa Marie Freeman (4-year) as commissioners for Country Homes Special Tax District; resolution adopting millages necessary to provide tax revenues for operating and capital budges of Greenwood County and for educational purposes in Greenwood County for fiscal year that began July 1; recommendation to award Pace Pavement Technologies the airport ramp repairs contract, for $132,719.20; consider a proposed boundary line agreement with James Cunningham; consider a proposed boundary line agreement with Kevin and Donna Hutchinson; request to purchase Sharp MX-M354N Copier/Scan/Fax for delinquent tax collector, for $4,236.82 from SCM Office Systems; request to purchase Piatec USA ES8000 Fold and Seal Machine for delinquent tax collector, for $7,234.60 from Whitaker Brothers; request to purchase Phaser 4510N Laser Printer for delinquent tax collector for $451.06 from Orion Printers and Parts; clerk to council update. Pending items: Backwater Road, Newport Subdivision; DNR funding for Lake Greenwood Master Plan; Public Safety Training Facility. (If needed) Closed meeting to discuss: 1) proposed contractual arrangements pertaining to a referendum for a Capital Project Sales Tax; 2) discuss matters relating to the proposed location, expansion, or the provision of services encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body; 3) receipt of legal advice where the legal advice relates matters covered by the attorney client privilege.

GREENWOOD COUNTY COUNCIL

TIME: 5:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Greenwood County Library Veterans Auditorium.

AGENDA: Public comment, sign-in only. Public appearance, Pier Ninety Six, Gladys Woodcock and Pat Simpson. Third reading, ordinance amending Ordinance 2004-18 of Greenwood County Code of Ordinances to include Maintenance within the project boundaries of Lake Greenwood and corresponding resolution; resolution regarding encroachments upon Lake Greenwood subject to certain restrictive covenants of a subdivision or neighborhood; revision to Greenwood County Policy 10.4, Procurement Policy, pertaining to council approval; audit services recommendation; resolution to partner with Greenwood Regional Tourism and Visitors Bureau and the SC Festival of Flowers; appointment of Rudolph Wise (2-year), Henry Cowins (3-year), and Joe L. Norman (4-year) as Tax Commissioner for Aspen Heights Special Tax District; appointment of Dorothy Spencer (2-year), Tommy Lee Chamberlin (3-year), and Rosa Marie Freeman (4-year) as Tax commissioners for Country Homes Special Tax District; resolution adopting millages necessary to provide tax revenues for the operating and capital budgets of Greenwood County and for educational purposes in Greenwood County for fiscal year that began July 1; recommendation to award Pace Pavement Technologies the airport ramp repairs contract, $132,719.20; consider proposed boundary line agreement with James Cunningham; consider proposed boundary line agreement with Kevin and Donna Hutchinson; request to purchase Sharp MX-M354N Copier/Scan/Fax for delinquent tax collector, $4,236.82 from SCM Office Systems; request to purchase Piatec USA ES8000 Fold and Seal Machine for delinquent tax collector, $7,234.60 from Whitaker Brothers; request to purchase Phaser 4510N Laser Printer for delinquent tax collector, $451.06 from Orion Printers and Parts. District reports. Manager’s report — loud boat noise on Lake Greenwood. (If needed) Closed meeting.

WEDNESDAY

McCORMICK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES

TIME: 6 p.m. closed meeting; regular session at 7:30.

LOCATION: 821 N. Mine St.

AGENDA: Closed meeting to discuss personnel matters. Open session begins at 7:30: discuss closed meeting items; review of policy, Sessions E and F(1). Additional closed meeting if needed.

THURSDAY

GREENWOOD CPW

TIME: 10 a.m.

LOCATION: 121 W. Court Ave., boardroom.

AGENDA: Bid Openings: HSP No. 8 Pump overhaul; gas meters; gas meter ERTs; mini excavator for gas department; Microsoft license renewal; Cisco switch; postage machine. Consider bids for flooring at water treatment plant; consider requisition for Tantalus server; consider amended revised Rate Schedule 34; consider bids for Zeta meter. Other business. (If needed) Closed meeting to discuss legal and contractual matters.

Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Oct 3, 2015

Article Link: https://www.indexjournal.com/community/public-meetings-oct-4/article_fbc265b7-5b69-53f3-a69a-6c54dba2f6b8.html