Index-Journal seeking more CPST information
Greenwood’s daily newspaper is seeking more data from county officials about the genesis of a 2016 capital project sales tax figure that could wind up as much as $20 million short of initial estimates.
The Index-Journal on Monday filed a Freedom of Information Act request asking for all materials related to the initial formulation of the total amount that could be raised as it appeared on the November ballot referendum question: $87,938,185.
It’s also seeking documents and materials used to calculate the latest project sales tax forecast, any correspondences to or from CPST coordinator Josh Skinner, County Manager Toby Chappell and the treasurer’s office between July 1 and Monday pertaining to collection of the tax, documents pertaining to the eight quarterly checks received thus far from the state Department of Revenue and information about how the money has been spent or disbursed from funds already collected.
On Sunday, the Index-Journal devoted nearly 6,000 words in a special report to county taxpayers about why some closest to the initiative believe up to 10 of the 27 projects included on a final list might not come to fruition.
The Index-Journal’s report was prompted by an Aug. 28 State of the City/County forum where, in front of 200 leading business and civic leaders — many of whom advocated for its adoption years ago — County Council chairman Steve Brown acknowledged that officials expect their final collection rate from a 2016 capital project sales tax initiative to fall well short of its advertised number and potentially imperiling a third of the planned ventures.
“The money seems to be increasing somewhat. There’s been some changes, not that significant, but whether some of those projects are going to be funded, we’ll just see what happens a number of years from now,” Brown said at the function. “I think for years to come, you’ll be pleased with how that money has been spent, and the positive impact it will have had on this community.”
Soon after that public announcement, county officials revealed the final collection tally could be as much as $20 million less — a total of roughly $67.9 million — than what appeared on 2016 ballots as the maximum allowable: $87,938,185.
If that number sticks, it means up to 10 of the 27 projects will be sidelined, as the extra penny can only be assessed on eligible sales tax items for eight years, under state law, although voters could renew it for an additional seven.
While county officials have said in the past the final collection number might not match what was on the ballot, no indication was ever made publicly about what that would look like.
To date, the county has banked $17.52 million through two full years of collections — outpacing a state-issued projection by a healthy margin, with $8.44 million taken in during the first year and $9.07 million in 2018 — an annual average of $8.76 million, and a 7.5% year-over-year growth clip.
A number of investments are already underway because of the 1% levy, including construction on the William “Billy” O’Dell Center for Upstate Manufacturing Excellence at Piedmont Technical College, initial planning and construction estimates for an expansion of the GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin H. Mays Historical Preservation Site and a sewer line replacement in Ware Shoals, which is ready for construction pending final review by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.
State law allows the county 10 business days to respond to the Index-Journal’s FOI request, giving it a Sept. 23 deadline.
Originally Published by Index-Journal on:Sep 12, 2019
By ADAM BENSON abenson@indexjournal.com