A sorry County meeting

County Attorney “on trial” for earning too much

County Attorney Dawson was put on trial last night. Discussion by the Administration Policy/ Rules Committee may have been about arcane procedures – but essentially it was over Mr. Dawson. And what was the charge? He earns too much!

Continue reading "County Council, May 3"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:16 PM | Comments (0)

The issue of the County Attorney’s remuneration, again!

Record mosquito numbers

Warwick Jones

The remuneration of the County Attorney has been an issue dogging Council for years. At the core is the unusual way his remuneration is set. He receives a base amount but is allowed to charge for extra work. This extra work, relating to important legal matters involving the County, was very significant in some years and boosted his total remuneration. Part of that boost in the last year or so was $90,000 a year for heading the Solid Waste Division. In the last year, the total remuneration was $400,000, and compares with a “base” of $170,000.

Continue reading "County Council, April 5"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:54 PM | Comments (0)

County to support plan to improve libraries

Handouts for museums and CVB from Accommodation Tax Funds

The County Public Library Board had its day in the sun before the Finance Committee yesterday. The Chair of Library Board reminded the Committee that County libraries had been victims of austerity in recent years and spending in many areas were below levels mandated by the State. Indeed, the austerity adopted by the County had deprived the County’s libraries of $900,000 over the last 3 years. Something needed to be done, Chair Segal told the Committee. The deficiencies in spending had to be addressed as well as the considerable future needs of the library system. All the members of the Committee agreed.

Continue reading "County Council, March 22"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:53 AM | Comments (0)

Revenues in General Fund running $6.3 million higher than projected

Bond refinancing leads to substantial cost savings

It was “feel good” times on Council last night. Firstly, the external auditor reported that the County’s FY2011 financial accounts received an unqualified opinion. And then staff told Council members of savings in a bond refinancing, and that things were looking up for FY2012 with likely higher than anticipated revenues. However, the outlook for FY2013 was uncertain. Revenues were anticipated to be close to previously projected levels, but costs may be higher than first forecast.

Continue reading "County Council, March 13"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:46 AM | Comments (0)

Requests for Accommodation Tax funding

Council member Qualey questions CVB role

There was little business before Council at yesterday’s session of the Finance Committee. But it was still a relatively long meeting because of presentations from three entities seeking funds to finance expansion or refurbishing projects. Each had an eye to the deliberations of Council in the next month or so over the allocation of Accommodation Tax funds.

Continue reading "County Council, February 23"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:38 PM | Comments (0)

Citizens: comments to be heard at beginning of Council meetings

Warwick Jones

As County Administrator O'Neal noted at the close, yesterday’s Finance Committee meeting was the shortest in his memory. The explanation was that there was very little on the agenda.

The only thing of note arising from the meeting was the decision to begin Council meetings at 6.30 pm instead of 7 pm. As well, the citizens’ comments session would now be heard at the beginning of the meeting and extend to 30 minutes. Chairman Pryor said that the move would be given a 90 day trial and then reviewed as to its success. Council meetings will still be held on every second and fourth Tuesdays of the month and Finance Committee meetings on the preceding Thursday..

We think moving citizen comments from the end to the beginning of a Council meeting is positive. In the past, citizens had no opportunity, unless public hearings were scheduled, to comment on many issues until Council had voted. There was no opportunity for a citizen to speak at a Finance Committee meeting and comments at the following Council meeting could only be made at the end of the meeting, after Council has voted. Citizens will be better served by the rescheduling.

Posted by Warwick Jones at 09:11 AM | Comments (0)

Two contentious issues buried

Assigns completion of I-526 to state, and elects a chairman

Warwick Jones

Did we hear a large collective sigh of relief at the conclusion of yesterday’s Council meeting? Council members must have felt something kin to relief when they buried two contentious issues – the completion of I-526 and the election of Council Chairman.

Continue reading "County Council, January 9"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:58 PM | Comments (0)

No agreement as to who leads Council

Council member Pryor retains Chair by default

Warwick Jones

With Democrats holding a majority of seats on Council, the election of the Chair should have been straightforward. It wasn’t. Council member Pryor remained in the Chair after last night's vote, but was not voted to the position. No member who stood for the position obtained a majority and in consequence, Council member Pryor retained his position as Chairman.

Continue reading "County Council, January 3"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:10 AM | Comments (0)

A massive development project for North Charleston

I-526 still on hold, Redistricting Plan gets qualified approval

When the national economy gets back on its feet, Charleston will stand seven feet tall, a business colleague said recently. He was reflecting on the surging investment in the community by business groups. Of course, Charleston presently is not exactly an economic midget particularly after the investment of Boeing and some of its suppliers. But the appeal of Charleston that drew this investment remains strong. And it was evident at last night’s Council meeting.

Continue reading "County Council, December 6"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:23 PM | Comments (0)

High noon at the Lonnie Hamilton

Contention over public works projects and Solid Waste progress

Warwick Jones

It could have been a Hollywood western. Bristling with bravado, Big Ma Mosley marches up to the bar, orders a double whiskey. She downs it and glares at her adversaries. With a hand on her holster she flintily flings out a challenge. “ What’s ye’r beef boys? Y' gotta problem?”

Continue reading "County Council, November 9"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:04 PM | Comments (0)

Where are the property tax bills?

Committee formed to begin study of consolidation

Council wondered out loud what on earth was going on at the Auditors Office. Where are the property tax bills for 2011? They should have been out some weeks ago and the delay will also delay the collection of revenue. This will not only be inconvenient but municipalities and agencies that rely on tax revenue may have to borrow and incur interest expense to tide them over.

Continue reading "County Council, November 3"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:16 PM | Comments (0)

Funding issues for Greenbelts

“Qualey” Plan approved for Harbor View Road

Differences seem to be growing on Council as to the direction of greenbelt funding. Some Council members contend that too much as been spent on conservation easements. More funding needs to be directed to acquiring property where the public has access, they say. The difference came to a head last night when a project approved by the Greenbelt Bank failed to win approval by the Finance Committee. The vote was evenly divided (4/4). Council member Summey was absent last night and his vote will be critical when Council meets on Tuesday evening next and the item is again considered. Council members Darby, Qualey, and Johnson, and Chairman Pryor voted against the approval at yesterday’s Finance Committee meeting. The slow deliberation by Council member Rawl suggests he too has some reservations about the financing of conservation easements.

Continue reading "County Council, October 20"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:51 PM | Comments (0)

Still deliberating over plastic in yard waste

Agenda sheets to be more descriptive?

The issue over plastic in yard waste is likely to soon come to a head. Earlier this year, the County delayed the implementation of an ordinance to stop disposal of yard waste at Bees Ferry if it contained plastic. As most of the waste is collected in plastic bags, the ban on plastic requires major changes in the collection of garden trash by the municipalities. Predictably, some were not easy about the proposed change, particularly North Charleston. A change in collection methods would be costly. Most municipalities chose to go in future with paper bags. But North Charleston and many citizens were not convinced of their efficacy.

Continue reading "County Council, October 6"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)

Council mulls changes to Harbor View Road plan

Some big changes likely in boundaries of some voting districts

Warwick Jones

The presentation given by Deputy Administrator Taylor to the Finance Committee yesterday was thorough and polite. He was addressing the Committee over the changes proposed by Council member Qualey to the Harbor View Road plan. But we thought there was a slight note of irritation too. And who would argue about its justification? We think Mr. Taylor would liked to have said the Harbor View Road plan was determined after many public hearings. It was shaped with the view of the public and the blessings of a number of agencies including the SC Department of Transportation. In consequence of this, Right of Way (ROW) by condemnation has been secured along the roadway to accommodate the proposed changes. Utilities have drawn up their plans too. And now Councilmember Qualey has yet another meeting with residents, and wants to change the plans. And what a mess it will be at this late stage!

Continue reading "County Council. September 22"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:10 PM | Comments (1)

Employees to get a 2% COLA in October

New Noise ordinance

Warwick Jones

It was mostly “bread and butter” items on the agenda for yesterday’s Finance Committee meeting. And in a sense, this was particularly true for County employees. The Committee approved a 2% cost of living adjustment (COLA) in wages and salaries for all employees. However the remuneration of Council members remained unaltered.

Continue reading "County Council, September 8"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:22 PM | Comments (0)

Issues with some Greenbelt fund applications

Harborview Road project on hold for 30 days

Warwick Jones

We thought the recommendations of the Urban Grants Review Committee, the Greenbelt Bank and staff over greenbelt fund grants would be quickly approved by Council. We were wrong. Council took issue with some of the recommendations and rejected three applications and deferred another.

Continue reading "County Council, August 11"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:37 PM | Comments (0)

Council wrestles with next move on I-526 extension

Concern over lower sales tax revenues and impact on Greenbelt program

Chairman Pryor made an effort to find a solution to the I-526 impasse at last night’s Finance Committee meeting. But Council seemed unenthusiastic and sought time to dwell on approaching the issue.

Continue reading "County Council, June 2"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:22 PM | Comments (0)

Council seeks compromise over I-526

Is it even possible?

Warwick Jones

Is the I-526 issue still alive, or is it a corpse just waiting interment? We’d hazard that it’s the latter, but we can’t be sure. There is no doubt that a number of Council members and a large section of the public wish it buried. But some Council members and perhaps a large number of citizens still hope I-526 can be completed and mitigate the traffic congestion on Johns and James Islands.

Continue reading "County Council, May 17"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)

Finance Committee meets before Council meeting

CVB seeking additional funding

We were gently chided yesterday by a viewer for not reporting on the Finance Committee meeting last Thursday. The omission is easily explicable – there was no meeting. The agenda for the meeting was light. We also understand there were some important meetings scheduled on Thursday in Columbia, we presume relating to I-526. In consequence of these things, the Finance Committee meeting was held yesterday, immediately before the Council meeting.

Continue reading "County Council, May 3"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:15 PM | Comments (0)

Finance Committee decides against extending I-526

But will the State move ahead regardless?

Those opposed to the extension of I-526 should be breathing easier after last night’s Finance Committee meeting. But they may not be breathing easy. Although the Committee voted unanimously against the extension proposed by the SC Department of Transportation, (SCDOT) some Council members feel the extension may still be built, but by the state.

Continue reading "County Council, April 14"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 10:50 AM | Comments (0)

Septic systems and Seniors’ center

Consultants and the Sheppard Tract

Warwick Jones

It was a relatively short Finance Committee meeting yesterday, at least until the Committee broke out for an executive session. Many of the items on the agenda related to procurement or minor capital projects. In summary, the Committee:

Continue reading "County Council, March 31"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:30 PM | Comments (0)

Clouds breaking over local economy

Bond issue by PRC gets the nod

Warwick Jones

The sun seems to be breaking through the clouds over the local economy. Staff told the Finance Committee at last night’s meeting that Accommodation Tax revenues were likely to be much higher than anticipated when the FY 2011 budget was put together. And as Council members exclaimed, the result should warm the hearts of the County’s municipalities as well as the County’s.

Continue reading "County Council, March 10"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:04 PM | Comments (0)

County in good financial shape

With a surplus in some Fund balances, better than we thought

We won’t pretend that we fully understood the staff presentation at last night’s Finance Committee meeting. But we understood enough to see that the County is in relatively good financial shape, and indeed better than we thought.

Continue reading "County Council, February 24"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:29 PM | Comments (0)

Paper and not plastic bags for garden trash

No interest is selling or “privatizing” City garages

Come the end of June this year, citizens most likely will not be using plastic bags to dispose of their lawn and garden waste. The Finance Committee last night unanimously agreed not to accept garden trash in plastic bags at the Bees Ferry landfill after June 30. It expects that special paper bags will replace plastic bags.

Continue reading "County Council, February 10"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:38 PM | Comments (0)

Issues over appointment procedures

Valuations, and tension in executive session

Warwick Jones

The debate was civil but there was tension underneath. And this was strange because it was not an important issue, at least in the mind of this writer. The issue was appointments to County boards and commissions.

Continue reading "County Council, January 20"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:27 AM | Comments (0)

Problems with Radio system to be addressed

County will spend another $11 million on improvements

Citizens had to draw their own conclusions about one item on last night’s Finance Committee agenda. When the item, Radio System Upgrade/ Expansion came up for discussion, the Committee went immediately into executive session for about an hour. After returning to the chamber, members voted unanimously to award a contract to Motorola for $11 million to “upgrade/expand” the Consolidated Dispatch system. There was no further discussion.

Continue reading "County Council, November 18"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:33 AM | Comments (0)

Council endorses Finance Committee recommendation on Mark Clark

The sad plight of property holders in its possible path

Warwick Jones

Council made no substantial changes to the Finance Committee’s decision on the Mark Clark extension. The SC Department of Transport (DOT) will be asked

to further study plans for completion of I-526 Project, in addition to Alternative G to include:
1. Improve existing roads within the scope of the project
2. Proposal submitted at the Finance Committee entailing the completion of the project, without the James Island Leg
3. Further investigate New Ways to Work Plan

All continued analysis should bear in mind legal and financial constraints.

Continue reading "County Council, October 19"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:25 PM

Yet another plan for Mark Clark expressway

DOT’s proposal looks dead!

Warwick Jones

And so it goes on. The issue of the extension of the Mark Clark expressway remains unresolved. It does seem that the proposal of the State Department of Transport (DOT) is dead. But what will be built in its stead, or indeed if anything will be built, remains unresolved.

Continue reading "County Council, October 14."

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:24 AM | Comments (0)

Another tough year ahead for the State and probably for the County

Tough for CARTA too

Warwick Jones

Those looking for a report on the Finance Committee meeting earlier this month would have been disappointed. There was none. It was a featureless meeting with only “bread and butter” items on the agenda. We thought that yesterday’s meeting would be similar. Most of it was but the presentation by a representative of the SC Association of Counties got our attention, and that of most others.

Continue reading "County Council, September 30"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 10:46 AM | Comments (0)

Land fill development issue dead, at least for 12 months

FILOT scheme to encourage investment by SPAWAR vendors

Warwick Jones

We expected a large turnout at Thursday’s meeting of the Planning and Public Works Committee (P&PW) meeting. The owner of a 313 acre parcel on Savannah Highway in the south west of the County was seeking an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to allow the tract to be used for waste disposal. There was a lot of opposition to the proposal. The site is presently classed Conservation Management for future land use and is in the Ace Basin area.

Continue reading "County Council, September 2"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)

Sea Island Greenway killed again

County will proceed on Safety Measures only

The Sea Island Greenway (SIG) is dead, for now. It has been killed a couple of times in the past, but has somehow been resurrected. And maybe it will rise again to haunt the island. Its death last night was slow and extended over the major part of the two hour Finance Committee meeting. And indeed, there were times where it seemed the Sea Island monster would live to stretch its tentacle across the island. Ultimately, the Committee agreed only to Safety Improvements which include changes and modification to a number of intersections.

Continue reading "County Council, August 12"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:44 PM | Comments (0)

More applications for Grants

CARTA Budget, and Accommodation Tax allocations

It was a reasonably long agenda before the Finance and other Committees yesterday afternoon. The Finance Committee and the full Council meet only once a month over the summer and it was four weeks since the last Finance Committee meeting.

Continue reading "County Council, July 8"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:05 PM | Comments (0)

Agrees to forego TIF revenues to help finance the new Gaillard

A referendum to form a Commission to study consolidation in County?

Warwick Jones

At issue was the request from the City of Charleston for an extension of the King Street Gateway TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district for 10 years to 2023. The City needed the money from the TIF to help fund the proposed new Gaillard Auditorium. Agreeing to the request effectively means the County gives up revenues of about $1.5 million a year for 8 years beginning 2015. The recommendation of staff was no! The Finance Committee, and later Council, eventually voted yes, with conditions that were hardly onerous.

Continue reading "County Council, June 10"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:48 PM | Comments (0)

Chairman chides P&C

A proposal to mitigate the increase in property tax bills*

Yesterday’s Finance Committee meeting agenda was light. Indeed, there was nothing worthy of comment. But Chairman Pryor at the close of the meeting got our attention with some comments on a Post & Courier editorial and a proposal to mitigate the planned effective property tax increase for Fiscal 2011.

Continue reading "County Council, May 27"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:45 AM

More argument, but no change in proposed tax increase

GAB recommendations for changes in Greenbelt Plan approved

We missed the special meeting of the Finance Committee last week when discussion began over the Fiscal 2011 budget. Suffice to say, times are tough and revenues are weak. The Committee approved staff’s recommendation which included a 0.8 millage increase and a reduction of 10% in the allocation of the Local Option Sales Tax to offset property tax bills. Obviously these moves will increase the tax burden for County property owners.

Continue reading "County Council, May 13"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:32 AM | Comments (0)

Potential economic boost from a new air line

Trash collection; a budget session warm up

The big news is that Charleston may again be served by a low fare airline. This could lead to hundreds of dollars in savings on individual flights to other major cities. But a subsidy will be required and County Council is looking to provide this by a 5% tax on car rentals.

Continue reading "County Council, April 29"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:39 PM | Comments (1)

To televise Council but not Finance Committee meetings

Issues over a planning forum: HUD grants, Attorney’s remuneration

We thought we had heard it before. And we had, at a number of City Council meetings. The issue was to televise Council meetings. Differing from that on City Council, the discussion was relatively short and there was unanimous agreement amongst Council members to do so.

Continue reading "County Council, April 15"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:30 PM | Comments (0)

Debates posting salaries again, but with same decision

The Sheppard Tract, Folly Beach Park and Airport Roads funding

Council was not at its best at yesterday’s meeting. As the Finance Committee, it revisited the issue of posting salaries of County employees on its web site. After lengthy debate, it came to the same conclusion it made at the previous meeting. And then there was the sale of the Sheppard Tract. It was to be used as a waste dump but the locals protested. The County agreed to sell the tract for $2.7 million and just before Council was to vote on the sale, it realized that the new owner still had the right to use the site as a dump. Wasn’t the purpose of the sale to remove the possibility of dumping? Back to the negotiating table!

Continue reading "County Council, April 1,"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 10:48 AM | Comments (0)

Budget woes - this year is difficult

but 2011 could be worse!

As it is about this time every year, the Finance Committee was treated yesterday with a review of the current year’s budget, and some projections for the future. It was not a pretty picture though we would be surprised if any Council member expected otherwise. Revenues for the current fiscal year (FY2010) are running below original estimates but the projected shortfall of $2.9 million is expected to be made up by more cost reductions and without significant impact on services.

Continue reading "County Council, March 11"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:15 PM | Comments (0)

Council opens its purse

Few seem concerned

One wonders! We are in the midst of a major recession and significant recovery seems a long way off. The County Administrator is signaling a hard year ahead and the strong possibility that a millage increase will be necessary for the General Fund. But at the meeting of the Economic Development Committee there seemed little hesitation in signing off on borrowings of Trident Technical College (TTC), or questions as to where $155 million was coming from to finance road improvements related to the Boeing expansion.

Continue reading "County Council, February 25"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:42 PM | Comments (0)

Mead/WestVaco development comes closer to fruition

Greenbelt Plan fundamentals reaffirmed

There was not too much on the agendas but yesterday’s meetings were lengthy. Much of the time was taken up by a presentation by a spokesman for Mead/WestVaco in relation to plans for its large property in the western part of the County. And then there was a presentation by the consultant to the County on the Greenbelt Plan.

Continue reading "County Council, February 11"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:07 PM | Comments (0)

Problems plague County’s digital radio system

Consultant to be hired to review Motorola’s proposed remedy

All is not well in the implementation of the County’s new Digital Radio system. Staff wants to hire a consultant to review Motorola’s plan to rectify the problems. The County signed a contract with Motorola in 2005 for its entire analog system to be converted to digital. The new P225 system was identical to that being used by the Federal Government and other national entities.

Continue reading "County Council, January 28"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:38 PM | Comments (0)

Fundamentals of the County Greenbelt Plan reaffirmed unanimously

Conservation easements a better tool than fee simple purchases for conservation

Warwick Jones

The Greenbelt Advisory Board (GAB) today affirmed the principles of the County Greenbelt Plan. The GAB was asked by County Council late last year to take another look at the plan and make recommendation for changes. This request followed the expression of unease by some Council members that much of the green belt funds was directed to the purchase of conservation easements where no public access was possible. Some Council members thought that fee simple acquisitions would be better and which would allow public access.

Continue reading "Greenbelt Advisory Board"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:39 PM | Comments (0)

Council member Pryor elected to Chair again, and Summey to Vice Chair

Boeing, zoning fees and property taxes

It was the first meeting of the year for the Finance Committee; As usual the first business was the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of Council. There were no surprises. Council member Teddie Pryor was re-elected as Chair. Council member Thurmond was nominated for Vice Chair but declined the nomination as he did not plan to run again when his term expired at the end of the year. Council member Summey was then nominated and elected unanimously.

Continue reading "County Council, January 7"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:34 PM

Council meetings need to be more transparent!

Adams Run project deferred again and Kiawah Project approved

Yesterday’s meetings of the Finance Committee and Planning and Public Works Committee were long. It was not because of debate or discussion – indeed there was little of either. It was long executive sessions from which the public were excluded.

Continue reading "County Council, December 3"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:41 PM | Comments (1)

To sell a potential municipal solid waste disposal site

But may allow construction and demolition waste disposal at a privately owned and nearby site

We were somewhat confused by the action of Council last night. Meeting as the Planning and Public Works Committee, it agreed to put its 750-acre property at Adams Run on the market. The County purchased the property about 20 years ago with the intention of possibly using it as a site for a municipal solid waste landfill when the Bees Ferry Landfill was full. But it signaled that it may give approval for a 313-acre, privately-owned property that is nearby to be used for a private construction and demolition waste landfill.

Continue reading "County Council, October 29"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:17 PM

Issues over the Greenbelt Plan

Accommodation tax allocations and objections to that for Hollywood

The discussion on the County’s greenbelt program last night left a number of Council members confused. Chairman Pryor opined that when citizens voted for the half cent sales tax and the concomitant greenbelt program, they thought that they would have access to the greenbelt land. The greenbelt program has financed a large number of conservation easements which may preserve the land use but ownership remains unaltered and in most cases there is no provision for public access. Further, Council member Rawl found something wrong with conservation-oriented land trusts seeking funds from the Greenbelt Bank to purchase conservation easements from land owners, and that these trusts would be reimbursed by the owner for costs and other items. He also questioned the certainty that the trusts could continue to manage the conservation easements that the County had financed through the Greenbelt Bank.

Continue reading "County Council, October 15"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:57 PM | Comments (0)

Greenbelt Bank recommendation ignored, Hollywood to get $4.6 million for park

Moving to better plan for waste water services

Warwick Jones

There wasn’t too much on last night Finance Committee agenda. But it was a long meeting. A presentation by staff on waste water disposal took up much of the time. But the decision on a Greenbelt grant to the Town of Hollywood to buy an 8 acre property for a park was the most interesting and contentious item.

Continue reading "County Council, October 2"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)

Consolidation of county–wide emergency dispatch service underway

Approves changes to Fee Ordinance relating to Building Inspections

Meeting as the Finance Committee, Council last night heard staff report on the planned transition schedule for Consolidated Dispatch, approved some changes in the Fee Ordinance, and accepted and dealt with some Federal Grants.

Continue reading "County Council, September 10"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 03:18 PM | Comments (0)

Johns Islanders confused

A choice between two unpalatable options?

Some Johns Islanders were shaking their heads after last night’s Council meeting. It wasn’t in disbelief so much as confusion. The Islanders have battled hard and consistently to restrain development on the Island and preserve its rural ambience. But after last night’s meeting, it seems they may have lost some ground.

Continue reading "County Council, Sept 1"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:57 PM | Comments (0)

“Pitchfork plan” approved for Maybank Highway: Sea Island “Greenway” to be studied

Objectives defined for solid waste management

In common with Council members Schweers and McKeown, we were surprised to see “Johns Island Roads” on the Finance Committee meeting agenda without any supporting documentation. The documentation was given to Council Members just prior to the meeting and without time for proper consideration.

Continue reading "County Council, August 27"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:23 PM | Comments (0)

The shortest of meetings

Requests to apply for grants approved

It was the shortest Finance Committee meeting we have ever attended. On the opening of the session, Council member Thurmond moved that all 6 items remaining on the agenda, after the deferral of eminent domain issues relating to right-of-way for road widening, be approved. The items were mostly requests to apply for grants and hardly controversial

Continue reading "County Council, August 6"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:43 PM | Comments (0)

Council amends text of zoning ordinance

Legal outcome uncertain but height of Bees Ferry Landfill may prove moot

Council last night passed the first reading of the proposed text amendments to its Zoning and Land Development Regulations. The changes were prompted by a revocation earlier this year by an Administrative Law judge of a permit issued by DHEC allowing the County to expand the height of the Bees Ferry Landfill to 168’. The revocation followed on the judge’s view that the County was breaching its own zoning regulations.

Continue reading "County Council, July 16"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:22 PM | Comments (1)

Budget for 2010 approved. Sheriff strongly critical

Staff to come up with waste disposal strategies

Council finally put the 2010 budget to bed, but not without a last minute change. Council member Summey moved that the $300,000 provided for a management study be scrapped and the funds applied to a number of other items. They included $125,000 to the Sheriff's Office to go toward the cost of the opening of the new jail, and $100,000 for the Solicitor’s Office.

Continue reading "County Council, June 26"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)

No millage rate increase for 2010

But budget deliberations still incomplete

Warwick Jones

Deliberations over the 2010 budget were expected to be completed at last night’s Finance Committee meeting. But they weren’t and another special meeting is to be set for next Tuesday. Council decided that there would be no increase in the millage rates and set staff the task to make suggestions as to closing the small difference – about $700,000 - between projected spending and revenue.

Continue reading "County Council May 21"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 10:25 AM | Comments (0)

Budget outline defined for 2010

Exasperation over Chisolm Road properties. And Ms. Condon’s Birthday

Warwick Jones

Council has completed the broad strokes in painting the 2010 budget. The Finance Committee began the deliberations over the funds that make up the County’s budget about 2 weeks ago and yesterday completed its task, at leasat for the General Fund. Staff will now fill in the details. The first reading of the budget ordinance is scheduled for May 21.

Continue reading "County Council, May 14"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:00 AM | Comments (0)

Higher taxes likely for next year

Deliberations to continue

Warwick Jones

After yesterday’s special Finance Committee meeting, it’s probably odds-on that property owners will be facing higher property taxes next year. It won’t be because of an increase in millage rates or assessed values. It will just be the need to make up the shortfall expected next year from the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). In the past, the sales tax has been used to pay part of the annual tax liability of property owners. But County staff estimate that in Fiscal 2010, the County’s entitlement to the LOST will be down $10.5 million from the previous year.

Continue reading "County Council, May 5"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:10 PM | Comments (1)

A tax increase in 2010 or not?

Long deliberations over other minor matters

Warwick Jones

The Finance Committee's agenda suggested a long session. Deliberations over some minor issues ensured that it was. So when it came to the most important item, an overview of the 2010 Budget, most members were showing signs of fatigue - levity and irritation. An indication as to whether County residents will face a higher tax payout in 2010 will be given at the Council meeting on Tuesday

Continue reading "County Council April 30"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)

Distribution of Accommodation Tax revenues still unresolved

Those to the Colleges for sport arenas should be eliminated

Council last night whipped through the agenda and approved all the items from an earlier Finance Committee meeting. And then it came to the Accommodation Tax budget. With revenues projected well down in Fiscal 2010, Council had to make some hard decisions. Who was going to suffer cuts in distributions? After an hour or so of discussion, there was only modest progress. Frustration showed on the faces of Council members and Council member Rawl admonished Council for not adhering to the agreement reached at the Finance Committee meeting. Council member Condon came up eventually with a motion that Council could agree to. Thankfully, it saved us a long meeting, but Council was still a long way from a resolution.

Continue reading "County Council, April 21"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:50 AM | Comments (1)

Cut backs looming in allocation of Accommodation Tax funds

Dog days for Animal Society. Property reassessment deferred for a year

Warwick Jones

Financial woes pervaded last night’s Finance Committee meeting. A shortfall in collection of the Accommodation Tax forced Council to look again at its distribution for 2009 and to take steps to reduce expectations for 2010. And the Charleston Animal Society had to put its tail between it legs and make do with less than what it was asking, despite the worthiness of its cause. And then because of the depth of the recession and the weakness of property markets, the Committee voted to delay the property reassessment planned for next year. A reassessment is made every 5 years and is the basis for property tax determination. And then there was the admonition by a member of Representative Clyburn’s staff who suggested that the County be more aggressive in seeking a share of the $35 million earmark for the Representative’s district.

Continue reading "County Council, April 2"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:56 PM | Comments (0)

Inconclusive meeting on incinerator issue

Warwick Jones

If attendees were looking to a final decision on whether to renew the incinerator contract, they were disappointed. Council met at a special Finance Committee meeting yesterday to consider the matter. Almost immediately after the meeting started, the Committee went into executive session where it remained for the better part of an hour and a half. There after, the Committee approved a motion by Council member Condon that the County adopts the recommendation of its consultant to move to achieving a 40% recycling goal, and for staff to study the options available to the County. From the Chairman’s earlier comments, these options would include the disposal of waste at sites in Dorchester and Berkeley Counties.

Continue reading "County Council, March 25"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 10:31 AM | Comments (0)

Consultant recommends closure of incinerator

Final decision to be made in 2 weeks

It was a long and at times, an acrimonious session. Broadly, the issue was to how deal with future waste disposal. But more specifically, it was whether to close the incinerator in North Charleston. The principal of the consultant firm retained by the County, Mitch Kessler, told Council that it had a number of options. The consultant’s recommendation, based only on economics, was to close the incinerator, boost the capture of recyclables from the solid waste, and transport waste to another county when the Bees Ferry site was filled. And this would be in about 12 years, it estimated. But Mr. Kessler emphatically told Council that his assessment did not take into account the environmental impact or community and political considerations.

Continue reading "County Council, March 12"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:56 PM | Comments (0)

A very tough year coming up

But not for CARTA!

Warwick Jones

The County Administrator told the Finance Committee tonight that the state was planning to cut its contribution to the County next fiscal year by 42%. This follows on a significant cut this year. The reduction in State funds and other revenue forced the County over the last 2 months to cut $7.5 million from the original Fiscal 2009 budget. The reduction in State funds for Fiscal 2010 amounts to $7.8 million. Apart from sucking wind, there was no reaction from Council members. But we are sure that Council members will be doing some heavy pondering in the coming weeks.

Continue reading "County Council, February 26, 2009"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:03 PM | Comments (0)

Mayor Riley seeks to accelerate project in anticipation of “stimulus funds”

CARTA “shocks” Council

Wih some of the Council members decked in formal wear and clearly a function to attend, last night’s Finance Committee meeting promised to be short. It was, though there were some interesting items.

Continue reading "County Council, February 12"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)

Deadline for decision on County incinerator

Obligation of applicants for Board and Commission positions to be redefined

Warwick Jones

“And Council member McKeown can pay for the hire of the College of Charleston’s stadium!” Council member Rawl jokingly quipped at the close of last night’s meeting of the Finance Committee. He was of course alluding to the large number of citizens expected to attend the Finance Committee meeting on March 12 when the consultant to the County is scheduled to present its report on the options available for future waste disposal. The date is critical as the County has to give notice to the operator of the County incinerator as to whether its contract will be extended.

Continue reading "County Council, January 29"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:07 PM | Comments (1)

Targeted budget cut of $7.5 million achieved for FY2009 – but is it enough?

Party lines split over election of Chair and Vice Chair

The most important item on yesterday’s agenda was the unfinished business of 2008. - spending cuts to balance the Fiscal Year 2009 budget. Council achieved its objective but there were warnings that more surgery may be necessary and the excisions deeper.

Continue reading "County Council, January 8"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:35 PM | Comments (0)

Times get tougher!

More cuts to budgets of the General Fund and Accommodation Tax

Warwick Jones

It was a long agenda before County Council last night. Meeting as the Finance Committee, it considered issues over the budget and the proposed allocation from the Accommodations Tax. And then allied to these were the Functional Review reports and closure of a County office in Ravenel.

Continue reading "County Council, December 11"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:57 AM | Comments (2)

Preparing for the worst

Credit crisis pressures liquidity as well as the budget

The County started taking steps to balance its fiscal 2009 budget some months ago. At that time it was largely higher than expected fuel prices and a decline in fee and permit income that were causing problems. But now the County has been caught up in the world-wide credit squeeze. Cost cutting has become more urgent.

Continue reading "County Council, November 13"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:21 AM | Comments (1)

Another traffic study for Johns Island

Approval for Comprehensive Plan but not for Compensation Study

Some Johns Island residents are getting irate. How many times do they have to defend the encroachment of development on the island? Most thought the proposal for a Cross Island Parkway to more easily link Kiawah and Seabrook Island developments to the City of Charleston was dead. However, Council member Thurmond has no intention of letting it die despite Council’s lack of enthusiasm for its resuscitation.

Continue reading "County Council, October 16, 2008"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:42 AM

County rejects City’s plan for Maybank/River Road intersection

Is a compromise possible?

Continue reading "County Council, October 2"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:44 PM

Council struggles with ways to balance the budget

Not happy with cuts for DEODAS, or charging for municipal offenders

It has not been easy for staff. They were tasked by Council to find ways to cut $3 million out of costs so the County could balance its 2009 budget. The trouble has not been finding ways to cut costs. It has been getting Council to agree to the cuts. And indeed, Council member Schweers voiced his concern about Council’s reluctance to accept staff recommendations.

Continue reading "County Council, September 11"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:54 PM

Budget crunch – hard decision on taxes and spending

Questions need to be asked on Accommodation Fee funding

It didn’t need a crystal ball to forecast a necessary tightening of the Council’s budget. The decline in building activity over the last year is cutting fee revenue, and higher than anticipated fuel and other costs are boosting expenditures. This has forced the County to make adjustments to the current fiscal year’s budget. But according to the 5 year projections made by staff of revenues and spending for the General Fund, major adjustments will be necessary over the next few years.

Continue reading "County Council, August 14"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:42 PM

Salad days for Clerk of Council

Issues on Procurement Policy and Accommodation Fee funds

There would probably be little disagreement with the opinion that the highlight of yesterday’s Council Meetings was the short video at the beginning. Chairman Scott gave no inkling of the video contents. But the reaction, predictably, was surprise. The video was a commercial for Duke Mayonnaise which featured no less than Ms. Beverly Craven, Clerk of Council. Ms. Craven has served Council for many years, sitting figuratively and literally at the right hand side of the Council Chairmen. Amiable and permanently in good humor, she is a sort of den mother for Council members. She would have been our first choice for "mom” in an “American apple pie” commercial. Seems Duke Mayonnaise sort of agrees. Ms. Craven received a strong ovation and gave us the broadest of smiles.

Continue reading "County Council, July 24"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:59 PM

Issue on choice of projects for sales tax allocations

Request for State to address issue of safety on Johns Island roads

There was little on the agenda for yesterday’s Finance Committee that seemed contentious. But Council Member Thurmond took exception to the fiscal 2009 annual allocations for road and drainage work financed by the half cent sales tax. He did not object to the spending but questioned as to how the specific projects were chosen.

Continue reading "County Council, June 26"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:48 AM | Comments (1)

Public gives “thumbs down” on incinerator!

County has some hard decisions to make on solid waste disposal

A month or so ago, Council members probably felt very satisfied with their plans for the County’s waste disposal. They would close the North Charleston incinerator in 2010 and divert the waste, previously incinerated, to the Bees Ferry dump. By refusing to take construction waste from contractors and developers, and by other measures, the life of the Bees Ferry dump could be extended to 20 years. And all of this would be achieved without a major increase in waste disposal charges.

Continue reading "County Council, June 24"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:09 PM

Citizens speak out against proposed Johns Island Crossway

Public meeting next week

At a Finance Committee meeting last month, the proponents of a new expressway across Johns Island had their say. An expressway was needed to alleviate the traffic on the existing roads. Those working and living on Kiawah and Seabrook Island would be the main users. It also could be a toll road, they said.

Continue reading "County Council, June 12"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:00 PM | Comments (2)

Johns Island Crossway up for consideration

Issues over HUD and Greenbelt grants

Yesterday’s Finance Committee meeting was much longer than it should have been. Some Council members "tilted at windmills", and at length. The meeting opened with a presentation by the consultant hired by the County on an expressway across Johns Island to alleviate traffic congestion on River Road and Maybank Highway. The project at this stage is merely a possibility. It was strongly promoted by Council member Thurmond who spoke a number of times about its virtue. There were clearly members of Council, and certainly amongst the citizens attending the meeting, who were skeptical of the plan.

Continue reading "County Council May 29, 2008"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:40 AM | Comments (1)

Attempt to address rising health insurance costs

Too harsh a change?

Warwick Jones

Over the last few weeks, Council has been mulling over the fiscal 2009 budget. The tail end of last night’s Finance Committee meeting was devoted to budget matters with the proposed changes to benefits for retirees generating the most discussion. At issue were the entitlements and benefits for retirees and their spouses as it related to medical insurance. Staff recommended to Council that the qualification for entitlement be tightened and the benefit period for surviving spouses be cut dramatically.

Continue reading "County Council, May 15"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:37 AM

Staff presents a balanced budget, and no tax increase for FY2009

Look out for FY 2010 though!

Staff has had its first crack at constructing the fiscal year 2009 budget. The results were presented to the Finance Committee last night, and understandably, it was pleased. For the General Fund, staff projected a balanced budget of $172.1 million, down $1 million or 0.6% from FY 2008 million. In achieving a balanced budget, staff had been mindful of maintaining quality services and including a cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 2.5%. Importantly there was no call for higher property taxes.

Continue reading "County Council, May 1"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)

Issue over judicial staff wages

Discussion on underground wiring for County

There was lots of discussion at yesterday's meeting, but little action. Council meeting as the Finance Committee heard presentations from SCE&G on underground power lines, and from the staff on bonding relating to trucks using secondary roads. Earlier, when meeting as the Planning/Public Works Committee, Council heard from the Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) in relation to a waste water plan.

Continue reading "County Council, April 10"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)

Updating the County’s Comprehensive Plan under way

Urban Growth Boundary unlikely to be moved

The Comprehensive Plan is the official document that sets forth Charleston County’s goals, policies and guidelines intended to direct the present and future physical, social, and economic development within the unincorporated county.

There was little of interest in discussions at the Finance Committee meeting last Thursday. There were a number of appointments to boards and commissions, a quarterly report from the internal auditor and a policy determination to help fund beach renourishment in the County. In relation to the latter, a fund would be formed using the proceeds of the Accommodation Fee. Money from this fund would be provided to municipalities on a match basis, but the size of the match would be determined on a “case by case” basis. That was it!

Continue reading "County Council, March 27"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:06 PM | Comments (0)

A traffic study for City’s proposal for Maybank Highway

City has an effective veto power over development

Resolution of the issue between the City and County to widen Maybank Highway may be months away. Indeed, it is possible there will be no resolution. At the last meeting of County Council, staff was instructed to meet with that of the City and the DOT to attempt a compromise between the two plans. As instructed, staff met but there was no compromise. However, there was an agreement that a detailed traffic study was necessary to draw a proper conclusion.

Continue reading "County Council, February 13"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:36 PM | Comments (0)

Widening of Maybank Highway – Is a compromise possible?

Parking fees to rise in County’s downtown garages

One wonders how it happened. Here was the City squaring off against the County in regards to changes along Maybank Highway. Change had been planned for some years and indeed voters in a referendum had signaled their approval of the County’s plans. But the changes planned were within the City of Charleston. Its views were very different. Why wasn’t there cooperation between the County and the City in shaping the proposed change?

Continue reading "County Council, February 28"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:24 AM | Comments (2)

Will help fund beach renourishment at Wild Dunes but with conditions

A balanced budget for fiscal 2008 despite lower-than-projected revenue

The provision of funds for beach renourishment on the Isle of Palms (IOP) was the major item on tonight’s Finance Committee meeting. The Committee approved a grant of $900,000 from the Accommodation Fee Fund to help a beach renourishment project. But the approval came with conditions. The residents of the Wild Dunes Community must agree to provide $6.1 million of the $9.9 million estimated cost, and that a request be made that the Community make some provision for parking and access to the beach by the public. Should the cost of the renourishment fall short of the estimate, the County was to be the first reimbursed.

Continue reading "County Council, February 14"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:56 PM | Comments (0)

Administrator’s contract extended

Council stretches definition of “tourist-related” in latest grant

Council meetings are usually brief, yesterday’s was no exception. Most issues are decided at the Finance Committee on the Thursday before. But two items not on the agenda of the last Committee meeting precipitated a special meeting yesterday. The items were the retention of the County Administrator and an application by the St Andrews Parks and Playgrounds for funds to buy a property in West Ashley.

Continue reading "County Council, February 5"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:37 AM | Comments (0)

Reflections on changing the form of County Government

A DNA lab for the County? Unqualified audit opinion for Fiscal 2007

We learned at lot at yesterday’s Finance Committee meeting. Council was not considering new ordinances but hearing presentations that relate to possible future initiatives. A member of the faculty of USC’s Institute of Public Service and Policy Research spoke of the different forms of local government which were possible in SC and open to Charleston County. A spokesman for the Sheriffs Department told of the need for a DNA testing laboratory and a representative of the Low County Housing Trust spoke of the non profit’s success in providing “affordable housing”.

Continue reading "County Council, January 31"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:05 PM | Comments (0)

Decision on future land fill, and waste disposal. SPCA gets half a bone

Unhappiness about Roadwise program

It didn’t take much time to decide. Staff gave a short presentation on the County’s options regarding future land fill and waste disposal, and made its recommendation. And after some discussion and no dissent, Council chose Option 1 - to continue using the Bees Ferry land fill to dispose of waste and to develop another land full site on Highway 17 S to receive building material waste beginning about 2022. Resource recovery (incineration) of trash would cease after 2010. The County would also discontinue taking trash and other materials from “private” sources.

Continue reading "County Council, January 17"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:11 PM

Mayor Riley taken to task by County

Town of James Island takes issue with charges. Stiff penalties to retrieve stray pets

The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District sought by the City of Charleston ostensibly was the issue. The City needed the approval of Council to use property taxes collected in the TIF district – the land made available following the relocation of the ramp to the Cooper River Bridge – to fund infrastructure. It was not the first TIF district created by the City and the County, and we thought the creation would breeze through Council. It didn’t. The issue was deferred from an earlier Council meeting. It was passed at yesterday’s Finance Committee meeting. But there were strong words from some Council members.

Continue reading "County Council, December 13"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:15 PM | Comments (0)

Council mute on Long Savannah annexation

Raises Diversity Goal for Hiring and Procurement

Those of us expecting some discussion of the annexation of the Long Savannah development by the City of Charleston were disappointed. There was none. We know that some Council members were upset by the City’s action and the breach of the unwritten agreement with the County not to annex on the rural side of the Urban Growth Boundary. But as a staff member said, what can the County do? There was no legal impediment to the annexation. Council, meeting as the Finance Committee broke for a long executive session over a number of matters. Possibly it also discussed the annexation.

Continue reading "County Council, November 29"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:22 AM | Comments (0)

Green light for some big projects

Mulling contributions for beach re-nourishment

Council gave the final nod for some big projects yesterday. Meeting as the Finance Committee, it approved contracts for construction of the new jail, an upgrade in the revenue and billing system, and repairs for the blighted Judicial Center. It also instructed staff to devise a policy to allow the use of Accommodation Fees for beach re-nourishment.

Continue reading "County Council, November 15"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:13 PM

Rural greenbelt grants approved

$100,000 grant for marketing effort by the “Museum Mile”

As we anticipated, the Finance Committee approved the rural grants determined by the Greenbelt Bank at its meeting last month. The grants totaled $5.38 million. Coupled with those made in the first round of applications, the Greenbelt Bank has now approved about $16 million in rural grants. The grants are being financed through the half-cent sales tax. As reported some time ago, the County is to make a bond issue to facilitate the process and not wait for an accumulation of sales tax funds. Interest and amortization of the bonds will come from the sales tax. Of the bond proceeds, $60 million will be used to fund both rural and urban grants. Rural grants will be allocated 70 % or $42 million of the $60 million. After allowing for the latest round of grants, about $26 million remains available for distribution.

Continue reading "County Council, November 1"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:12 PM | Comments (0)

County to consolidate emergency dispatch services

Concern that City of Charleston will not sign on

Meeting as the Finance Committee, Council last night agreed to move forward to consolidate dispatch services in the County. The feasibility study of the plan, to integrate the dispatch of EMS, fire and police response to emergency calls was completed earlier this year. Council last night agreed to fund the consolidation and pay total running costs after 2014.

Continue reading "County Council, October 12"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:01 AM | Comments (2)

Road wise projects move further along

Request for $60 million from State Infrastructure Bank

Discussion over Roadwise initial bond projects took up most of yesterday’s meetings. Council, meeting as the Planning and Public Works Committee, listened to presentations by Roadwise staff on proposals for four of the projects approved in the half-cent sales tax referendum. Design and engineering studies have been completed. Approval for the construction and right way phases were being sought. The projects to be discussed were;

Continue reading "County Council, September 27, 2007"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:27 AM | Comments (0)

Council to stop annual distributions to charities

But may attempt to “find a better way”

The annual giving to charities by the County Council will stop after the distribution this fiscal year. The distribution to “Outside Agencies” has been made for more than 20 years but in the last 2 years has been frequently criticized – that some recipients were not properly qualified and that individual Council members should not choose the recipients. Last year, Council adopted tighter conditions for the process. But these were not enough to stem the criticism, particularly from the two new Council members. Council voted last night, 6 to 3, to end the practice with only Council members Darby, Pryor and Inabinett opposed to the cessation.

Continue reading "County Council, September 18"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:16 PM

Work on new Comprehensive Plan for County begins

Final plan could take more than a year to complete

State law obliges counties to prepare a full update of their Comprehensive Plans every 10 years. The first Comprehensive Plan (CP) prepared by Charleston County was completed in 1999. A new plan is required by 2009. To meet State requirements, the County earlier this year retained consultants, at a cost of $250,000 to prepare the new plan. Mr. Dan Pennick, head of Planning for the County said it would take 12 to 14 months to complete and should be ready before the 2009 deadline.

Continue reading "County Planning Commission, September 17"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:36 PM | Comments (0)

Approves final distribution amounts to charities

But some change possible in evaluation process

Council decided the final figures for this fiscal year’s distribution from the General Fund to charities, and from Accommodation Fees to entities generating tourist related revenues. In our view, there were no surprises. Council members had already indicated the recipients and the proposed amount. Last night’s meeting brought about only minor changes.

Continue reading "County Council, September 4"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:53 PM

Should Council distribute funds to charities?

Despite changes made last year, Council still is split

Should Council distribute tax payer’s funds to charities? If so, how should the charities be chosen? These questions generated much debate last year. And despite some tightening of the application and allocation procedures, the questions are still being asked. A discussion on the issues is scheduled for the Council meeting on September 18. But we won’t hold our breath in anticipation of a final resolution.

Continue reading "County Council, August 28"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:37 PM

Harmony Hill approval still stands

Strong opposition to any change in Council Chairman position

The purchase of the 430 acre Harmony Hall property and the appropriate form of government for the County were the major items up for discussion at yesterday‘s Finance Committee meeting. Predictably, there was lots of talk, but not much action. The decision to allow the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) to purchase the Harmony Hall property for $10 million was allowed to stand. And despite opposition to any proposal to change the present nature of the County’s government, it was agreed to allow an expert address the Council at some future date as to the merits of the different forms of government.

Continue reading "County Council, August 7"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:45 PM | TrackBack (0)

Council approves all of the PRC’s proposed acquisitions

But not the conditions requested by the Long Savannah developer

The agenda was long. In the words of the County Administrator, it was the most “intense” in his experience. And looking at the audience, it was obvious something important was at issue. Mayor Riley was there with an entourage from the City and which included Council member Evans. State Representative Stavrinakis was also there as were many members of the public. Together, they more than filled the Committee room.

Continue reading "County Council, July 24"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:05 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

Council to take the money for Mark Clark extension

State should pick up any cost over-run

Council voted to proceed with the agreements with the SC Department of Transport (DOT) and the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB). Last week, the Finance Committee considered the agreements but some members were daunted by the liability the County would endure if there were a considerable cost overrun. Discussion with State legislators and the promise that the State would pick up the overrun, comforted the majority of Council members and only two, Council members Schweers and Inabinett voted against the agreements last night.

Continue reading "County Council, June 19"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 10:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Liability over Mark Clark extension daunts some members

Final decision likely on Tuesday. Some issues on a greenbelt project

We’re getting close to the wire. The issue of extending the Mark Clark Expressway fianlly should be decided at the Council meeting on Tuesday. To be fair, the extension of the expressway is not the issue, it is the liability that accompanies it. It would seem that if the County does not assume this liability, which is open ended, the extension becomes moot. The voting at yesterday’s Finance Committee meeting gave no indication as to what the final decision might be with the 8 members present evenly split. Council member McKeown was absent but full attendance of members at the next Council meeting should ensure a decision.

Continue reading "County Council, June 14"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:13 PM | TrackBack (0)

County to PRC - Drop dead!

How real is the issue over the PRC’s independence?

It is no secret that there is a conflict between the County and the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC). But the battles have been fought in executive sessions of both bodies and little has been made public. So we confess to not knowing all the facts. But from what we do know, it seems the issue that divides the bodies – the independence of the PRC - may have grown out of proportion. Resolution may have been possible with a meeting of the bodies rather than letters between their respective attorneys.

Continue reading "County Council, May 31"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Is Council bending too far to avoid millage increases?

Potential conflict between Council and PRC

There were some tense moments in yesterday's special meeting of the Finance Committee. They were generated in the final shaping of the fiscal 2008 budget. The amount of a specific item was never a large issue. It was the broader implications, in particular, how far should Council go to avoid a millage increase? In the minds of some, Council it was going too far.

Continue reading "County Council, May 22"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:49 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

General Fund Budget put to bed, CARTA’s request rejected

Issues with oversight of PRC and temporary housing of jail inmates

It was a long evening. It began about four o'clock with a special meeting of the Finance Committee. It then moved to a public hearing on Contributions to Outside Agencies, and finally to a Council Meeting at 8 pm. The General Fund budget for fiscal 2008 was put to bed, though not tightly tucked in, and CARTA’s request for extra funds rejected. Spending on temporary facilities to house those unable to be placed in the crowded jail got approval, though not without debate. And Council moved to resolve as to who really was in charge of the Parks and Recreation Commission. But the issue of improving Hutt and Abram roads was left to fester.

Continue reading "County Council, May 15"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

No closure on some major items

CARTA returns to the trough

There was no closure on the important items before the Finance Committee yesterday evening. In most cases, the Committee decided to defer final decisions until the Council meeting on Tuesday. Two of the important items were related to the proposed 2008 budget. Others related to the Parks and Recreation Commission, and to a road project.

Continue reading "County Council, May 10"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Budget process underway

Small increase in millage rate seems likely

Deliberations over the fiscal 2008 budget are underway. The financial problems confronting the County have been described in previous reports. The solutions have yet to be determined. Council met yesterday as the Finance Committee to hear staff proposals for some of the funds, but discussion was deferred to allow Council members time for consideration.

Continue reading "County Council April 26"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Uniform scale of charges to municipalities for collecting fees

Some minor amendments to Greenbelt Bank ordinance

There was little of import before the Finance Committee at yesterday’s meeting. Council agreed to a uniform fee schedule when acting on behalf of municipalities in collecting building license and user fees. It also agreed that some minor amendments to the Greenbelt Belt Ordinance and operating procedures, and to extend an arrangement with Folly Beach for use of a County Sheriff’s officer,

Continue reading "County Council, April 12"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Chairman declares assumption of a tax increase is premature!

Progress on diversity

It was another lean meeting. Staff presented their quarterly progress report on diversity, Council agreed to look into video conferencing as an aid to cutting costs, and Council danced around whether there would be a tax increase.

Continue reading "County Council, March 29, 2007"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:43 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Costs go higher and higher

Can the County avoid a millage increase?

As Chairman Scott said at the start of the workshop last week, the presentations were not part of the budget discussion. They were essentially a background. But even as such, Council members could hardly have been encouraged. It seems highly likely that in response to rising costs, County property taxes will need to be raised albeit by a modest amount. At yesterday's workshop, the Chairman again declared his opposition to any increase in millage rates. His voice may not be the only one raised in opposition. But the opponents of an increase will be hard pressed to come up with an alternative for financing necessary capital improvements.

Continue reading "County Council, March 22"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

CHATS presentation does little to resolve issue of I-526 extension

Council agrees to seek change in sales tax ordinance

Warwick Jones

If the presentation by the staff of CHATS was expected to settle the issue of extending the Mark Clark then it failed. The presentation highlighted some of the gains and losses in terms of traffic flow along the roads on and servicing Johns Island. But the spokesmen refused to be drawn into any conclusion as to whether the extension should be built. A random check amongst attendees indicated that most were as confused as this writer.

Continue reading "County Council, March 20"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Tax burden to be cut further for property owners?

But millage increase possible this year

Homeowners in South Carolina are already set for a break on property taxes. They could have another within a few years. Last year, the State voted to introduce a 1% sales tax, beginning June 1, to fund education spending. The sales tax replaces that part of the annual property tax levied by the County and allocated for education. However, the property tax burden was removed only for owner-occupied dwellings. Commercial and rental properties would continue to be taxed as in the past.

Continue reading "County Council, March 15"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:59 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Charitable Contributions debated again

Mark Clark extension back on agenda for March 22

We thought the issue was closed. It had been well discussed by Council, sometimes heatedly, at a number of meetings last year. But Council member Thurmond, new to Council this year, was not happy about the County’s policy of distributing funds to “Outside Agencies”. In fiscal 2007, the County had budgeted for distributions of about $315,000. He stated that it was not right for the Council to be giving away the public’s money. He had no issue with any of the recipients or with charitable giving. But it was not the County’s job to support charities. He noted that in 2004, the private sector gave $24 billion to charities. Did Government need to get into the business of giving as well, he inferred? He added that the County was presently in a tight financial position and may need to raise millage rates. How could we raise rates and continue to give away taxpayers money?

Continue reading " County Council, March 2"

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County to take over management of municipal elections?

Votes to continue “intern” program

There was little of contention or great import before the meeting of the Finance Committee today. The Town of Hollywood asked the County to take over management of its elections; the Committee approved $60,000 for an intern program, and agreed to defer discussion on the County’s compensation philosophy.

Continue reading "County Council, February 22"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Moves ahead to recover fees on credit card payments of taxes

Final appointments to GAB and TAB

There was nothing much arising from last night’s meeting to add to that of the Finance Committee meeting on Thursday. The first reading was given to an ordinance to introduce a fee on taxes collected “through electronic media including but not limited to the acceptances of charge cards and debit cards via the internet ( collectively and along with other forms of electronic payment) “

Continue reading "County Council, February 6"

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A fee to be imposed on credit card payments for property taxes

Tax break for some boat owners?

First the bad news! If you expect to pay property taxes by credit card in future, think twice. You are about to be charged a fee. And the good news. If you own a boat and can claim it as a second home under the IRS definition, you may be allowed a tax break.

Continue reading "County Council, February 1"

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Administrator to sign for longer term

Other appointments; hearing on Mark Clark extension in February

Warwick Jones

Continue reading "County Council, January 18"

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New Chairman and Vice Chairman

To confront some major issues this year

The first meeting for the New Year was predictable. With the Republicans in the majority, Council members Scott and Bostic were appointed Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively. In terms of service, they are also the two most senior members of Council. There also were two new members of Council, Schweers and Thurmond, both Republicans. They won the seats previously held by Council members Wallace and Stavrinakis. Neither ran again for Council with Dr Wallace retiring and Mr. Stavrinakis running for and securing a seat in the State Legislature.

Continue reading "County Council, January 9"

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Approves contract for health care of jail inmates

CARTA's 5 year plan, question of funding bus replacement after 2011

It was a lean meeting of the Finance Committee with little at issue, which is probably just as well as only 5 council members were present. But it was still a quorum and sufficient to deal with the few items on the agenda.

Continue reading "County Council, December 14"

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Moves to help preserve communities north of Mount Pleasant

A tough easement issue, a new hotel for Downtown

Council last night took a step towards better preserving the communities on the eastern side of Highway 17 and north of the Isle of Palms Connector. It did this essentially by agreeing to an amendment to the Mount Pleasant Overlay, a zoning ordinance that relates to the unincorporated area north of Mount Pleasant. The changes follow recommendations by the Highway 17 North Task Force and which were endorsed by the Town of Mount Pleasant.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting December 5"

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A fractious meeting

Last meeting for the Chairman

There was something troubling about last night's meeting. It was the undeserved humiliation of the County Attorney Mr. Joe Dawson as the Council discussed his remuneration and worth. It was not that Mr. Dawson was doing a bad job. No, all agreed he had done an excellent job. Yes, he had worked according to a contract drawn up by the County. But he is paid too much and his remuneration needs to be cut, at least that was the implication of what was before Council. The issue generated a heated discussion but in the final vote, the move for change was defeated.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting November 16"

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Auditors find some minor theft

And report favorably on jail inmate health care services

Warwick Jones

Last night's meeting was essentially about criminals - the Internal Auditor noted theft in his report for the 3 month period to November 2, and the Criminal Justice Institute reported on its audit of the inmate health care services at the County Jail.

Continue reading "County Council November 9"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 12:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

New jail to cost over $100 million, property taxes likely to rise

Success on the Eastside, Board of Conservation Bank chosen

There wasn't as much discussion on the new jail as the waiting TV camera teams expected. A PowerPoint presentation had been prepared by staff, but it was never given. Council agreed with Council member Bostic that much of the information was already public knowledge and there was no point in re hashing it. But the handout for the presentation showed that the estimated cost of the new jail was now $101 million, more than 30% over the previous estimate of $76 million. And most likely, property taxes will need to increase to finance it.

Continue reading "County Council, October 12"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:31 PM | Comments (1)

Compliments for Council members Darby and Pryor

Approval for intersection, drainage, and bikeway projects

As far as dealing with the formal agenda, it was all over in a matter of minutes. Council approved all the matters that had previously been considered and voted on by the Finance Committee last Thursday. The remarks of interest were made at the closing of the meeting and related to the efforts of Council members Darby and Pryor to eliminate drug dealing on the Eastside.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting October 3"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 04:16 PM | Comments (1)

Please! Please! Not Another Pericles!

Of all the things needed in Charleston County, the absolute last thing is for voters to be duped by Mayor J. Pericles Riley and his Palter and Chatter cronies into creating another parallel imperial reign, or, more likely, a subservient puppet poltroon handpicked by Pericles to govern. Ever since the Justice Department won out and forced single-member districts upon County government, the editorial staff and behind the scenes owners of the Palter and Chatter have been pitching a "hissy fit" to put their own chosen disciple in charge of County Council. They just can't stand the thought of nine equally powerful council members, elected by the citizens of nine separate districts, governing the affairs of Charleston County. To the editors of the Palter and Chatter, this must be just one short step from total anarchy.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:45 PM | Comments (0)

OJT stays, County-wide election of Council Chairman mulled

Vote on Conservation Bank board members deferred

Continue reading "County Council September 28"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:14 PM | Comments (0)

Proposed "on job training" in road work projects not fully understood

Should it be such an issue?

If it weren't for the last minute addition of On the Job Training (OJT) to the agenda, there would have been nothing worthy of reporting flowing from last night's meeting. Council member McKeown was troubled at last week's Finance Committee meeting by the talk of $6.5 million being directed to OJT from half-cent sales tax funds spent on road works. He sought to reopen the discussion and Council unanimously agreed to.

Continue reading "County Council September 19"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:06 PM | Comments (0)

Town of James Island will be billed for law enforcement services

Sheriff Cannon pushes again for consolidation

It was one of the shortest agendas that we have seen for a meeting of the Finance Committee. The only matter of importance was the issue as to what should be charged by the County for providing law-enforcement services to municipalities, and in particular, for the new Town of James island. The issue had been discussed at the previous meeting of the Committee. But because of its importance, a decision had been deferred to allow more time for consideration. Council, meeting as the Finance Committee, voted to continue providing the present level of servicing until the end of this fiscal year, i.e. to June 2007. Thereafter, the new town would be asked to pay for all law-enforcement services. At least that was our understanding. But like others we were confused.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting - September 14"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:06 PM | Comments (0)

Issue over law enforcement charge to Town of James Island

A higher diversity Goal? Some welcome road repairs

What should the County charge if it provides services to the newly formed town of James island? Council, meeting as the Finance Committee, had few issues with the new policy for Services to Municipalities drawn up by Staff until it came to Law Enforcement. After some heated exchanges between Chairman Stavrinakis and Sheriff Cannon, Council decided to mull over the proposal for law enforcement but voted to accept the other proposals.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting September 5, 2006"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:54 PM | Comments (0)

Treading lightly over voting for Outside Agency contributions

But P&C still finds fault

The issue over contributions to Outside Agencies (charities) was pretty well wrapped up at the Finance Committee meeting last week. All that remained was to finalize the new policy and amend the list of recipients in the light of the new policy. Council did this last night but some Council members decided to recuse themselves on some votes because of their connection to the charities.

Continue reading "County Council August 22, 2006"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:35 PM | Comments (0)

Policy on Outside Agency contributions defined

Process may be too onerous for small groups

Hopefully, the issue of Outside Agency contributions has now been resolved. Meeting as the Finance Committee, the Council approved a new policy last night. It will apply to all contributions in fiscal 2008 but have limited application for the current fiscal year.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting August 17"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:06 PM | Comments (0)

OBITUARY NOTICE Charleston County Council Integrity

Council's Integrity entered into eternal rest on the evening of July 18, 2006, in Charleston County Council Chambers after a valiant, albeit fatal, battle against broken promises and a complete collapse of personal courage. Integrity's untimely demise resulted from a truculent assault by Council Chairman Leon Stabyourbackus and his accomplice, The Machine's Colleen Condon, as they intimidated and cajoled the other seven Council members to approve an additional annual payment of $1.1 million to CARTA for the next six years.

Continue reading "Shrimp 'n Grits"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:31 AM | Comments (0)

Agrees to take over CARTA debt obligation

18% sales- tax cap to apply only over long term

As we expected, the County will take on the burden of CARTA's debt. However, it will not need to tack on $6 million to the planned bond issue for transportation and greenbelts. To fund the next payment that is due to CARTA's bankers of $1.1 million, it will draw on funds that already have been budgeted for transportation from the sales tax but which have not been used. Although Council committed to making the remaining payments on CARTA's debt, there was no decision as from where they will be drawn, except that they will be derived from the half-cent sales tax.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting July 18"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 03:00 PM | Comments (0)

To take over CARTA's debt burden?

Bond issue for Transportation to be raised by $6 million

It's not signed and sealed yet. But most likely on Tuesday night, County Council will take an important step to pull out CARTA from under its debt burden. And it will do this by tacking on $6 million to the transportation bond issue that voters will be asked to approve in a referendum at the end of this year.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting July 13"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:28 PM

Council uneasily decides on interim administrator

A glance at needs of James Island township

Clearly, there were divisions amongst Council members at last night's meeting of the Finance Committee. At issue was the appointment of an interim Administrator. Some members thought that Staff, under the guidance of Deputy Chief Administrator Keith Bustraan, was capable of managing the County, but others thought that Mr. Mack Canterbury, who retired from the County three years or so ago, should be appointed. Ultimately, the committee voted to begin negotiations with Mr. Canterbury.

Continue reading "County Council June 15"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 04:50 PM | Comments (0)

Outside Agencies allocation to wait for policy determination

Issue over interim Administrator? Accommodation tax fund allocations

We thought the Outside Agencies issue had been killed at last. However, it came back to life at the end of the special Council meeting last night and after an executive session. There were clear signs that ultimately it would be killed off and buried. But not before Council had formulated a clearer policy on distributions, which it agreed to do last night.

Continue reading "County Council June 8"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:37 PM | Comments (0)

Still no closure on Outside Agencies

Oversight role of TAB endorsed

The issue of contributions to Outside Agencies refuses to die. The Finance Committee at its meeting last Thursday agreed to defer the allocations to Outside Agencies until policy was better defined within the next few months. Last night, Council's vote was equally split as to accepting the Finance Committee's recommendation. Consequently, the recommendation to defer was not adopted. Council will meet again on Thursday to take up the issue once more. The only agreement that presently exists is that $312,000 will be distributed to Outside Agencies in fiscal 2007.

Continue reading "County Council June 6"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:45 PM | Comments (0)

Issues with Outside Agencies and the Post & Courier

Greenbelts, bonding and the RMC

Discussion of Outside Agencies dominated last night's session of the Finance Committee. Before the discussion got underway, Council member Bostic moved that a vote should be deferred for some months, and that in the meantime Council should define a policy for contributions to Outside Agencies. This it agreed to do. But there was considerable debate before the vote was taken and it spilled into wider issues such as "single member districts", and the reporting of the Post & Courier.

Continue reading "County Council, June 1"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:43 PM | Comments (1)

We take issue with the P&C, again!

Today's front-page headline in the Post and Courier was "County Council in flux". The tenor of the critical story that followed was that Council is divided on many issues, some of these have racial overtones, staff is particularly sensitive to criticism, and some are thinking of leaving. And all of this followed the introduction of single member district voting.

Continue reading "County Council - "In flux" or doing its job?"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:19 PM | Comments (0)

Will continue to provide funds for charities

No extra funding for CARTA

There were two major issues before Council last night - Outside Agency contributions and the Sales tax budget, or more particular, the funding of CARTA. The special meeting of the Finance Committee that was called to consider Outside Agencies, ground along for more than hour as Council members rearranged figures, to find funds not only for Outside Agencies, but also for other items. The discussion over the Sales Tax budget was short with total acceptance of the Finance Committees recommendation, that CARTA receive no extra funding but its financial needs be reviewed within a few months.

Continue reading "County Council May 16"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:41 PM | Comments (0)

Sympathy, but no extra cash for CARTA

Non-profits may go empty handed

There were three important issues before the Finance Committee yesterday evening - CARTA's request for extra financing from sales tax funds, Outside Agency distributions, and proposed major changes to zoning regulations. The Committee may have had teary eyes in dealing with CARTA' woes but it was hard nosed in its decision - no extra funding. And the same applied to Outside Agencies - there may be no funding for any of the non-profits but if there is, qualifications may be tightened. And as for the new planning regulations, they were adopted with the exception of those that were contentious. Consideration of these was deferred.

Continue reading "County Council May 11"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 04:04 PM | Comments (1)

Budget discussions get short shrift

Progress on diversity goals

Council may attempt to do the right thing. But sometimes things get out of perspective. Last night, members deliberated for a very long time on the right action in constructing some minor roads. They hoped to satisfy all the sparring constituents. And then after hearing these items and others, they suffered some long presentations on diversity, crammed with detail beyond that which was needed. In consequence, the evening proved long. Council members and the audience were weary when the final and most important items on the agenda came up for discussion - the 2007 Capital Improvement Plan and more items relating to the 2007 Fiscal Budget. These received swift hearings and there was little discussion of either.

Continue reading "County Council April 27"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:36 PM | Comments (0)

Non-profit groups plea for funds

Not enough to satisfy all

The public hearings were the only things of interest at last night's Council meeting. The first hearing was on the distribution to Outside Agencies. It took more than 2 hours and saw a procession of applicants making their plea for funding. The allocation to Outside Agencies generates a substantial pilgrimage each year to the Council before it meets to divvy up a pile of funds for noble causes. The monies come from the general fund and from an allocation from the Accommodation tax. The distribution from the latter is confined to entities and activities that are essentially tourist related.

Continue reading "County Council, April 18"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:05 PM | Comments (0)

Higher rating will lead to $0.5 million interest cost savings

Savings on future bond issues likely

There was nothing on today's agenda of note. The Finance Committee meeting ended after only a few minutes. But there was some interesting news. Standard and Poors has given the County an AAA rating for the purposes of the $65 million bond issue that is planned. This is a higher rating than the County received when it last issued bonds. The previous rating was AA+. The staff estimates that the improved rating will lead to savings of about $0.5 million over the 20-year life of the bond.

Continue reading "County Council, April 13"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:53 PM | Comments (0)

Hiring of Financial Consultant raises question

An uneventful meeting

Closing remarks by Council members took almost as much time as dealing with the agenda at last night's meeting. Indeed there was little of issue on the agenda and every item passed with a unanimous vote. Items, most of which were considered at last week's Finance Committee meeting, included a grant of $2.3 million for the new SPCA facility at North Charleston, tightening of the wording relating to the County's Diversity policy, zoning cases and the hiring of a financial consultant.

Continue reading "County Council April 4"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 03:13 PM | Comments (0)

To grant SPCA $2.3 million to help build new facility

Ire over State's attitude to Juvenile Detention Services

It was a lean agenda before the Finance Committee yesterday. Unfortunately we were unable to cover all of the proceedings. Council met for an executive session before the two last items. A need to attend a meeting elsewhere (a presentation by the SCDOT on the proposed Port and access road) forced us to depart before Council worked through the agenda.

Continue reading "County Council March 30"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:42 PM | Comments (0)

Mayor Summey takes issue with Council

Zoning and land revision planned

There are some things that go on in Council meetings that we don't understand. Take last night, for instance. Before Council was the award of contracts for engineering design of roads in the Roadwise program. The decision to make the awards has been before Council for some time. It has been held up on issues relating to minority participation. Chairman Stavrinakis suggested that a decision had been delayed too long. The "request for qualifications" resulted in submissions from about 20 firms. This number had been reduced to about 10 and further culled to about 3 firms, to bid for each of the projects under consideration. The evaluation had been made by a committee of Staff under a process mandated by both state and federal regulations.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting March 21"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:44 PM | Comments (0)

To patch up rift with TAB

Stormwater fee to be introduced, mid-year budget review

The most interesting item on last night's agenda promised to be the "Transportation Plan". We and others thought there would be a spirited discussion about the role of Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) in forming the Comprehensive Transportation Plan. This did not occur. Before any discussion took place, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Council planned to meet with members of the TAB to sort out any possible differences. However, it was clear at last night's meeting that newspaper and other reports on the last TAB meeting had placed the County in unfavorable light. County Administrator, Roland Windham, apologized to Council for the remarks made by a member of Staff. Staff had not given the right advice to the TAB, he said.

Continue reading "County Council March 16"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 04:59 PM | Comments (0)

Stalemate on letter to President Bush protesting forestland sales

But unanimous on letter to Corps on Port access road

The Chairman asked that Council members put aside political consideration. He wanted members, meeting as the Finance Committee to endorse a letter to President Bush protesting the sale of forest land in South Carolina and in particular, the Francis Marion Forest. Whether the council members put aside political considerations, we don't know. But the split of voting was 4 in support and 4 against with Republicans and Democrats on each side. The request will now go to Council on Tuesday night where most likely the vote will remain the same and the issue will die.

Continue reading "County Council March 2,"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 04:20 PM | Comments (0)

"We ain't goin' to shuffle no mo'"

Opposition to access roads and port

The highlight of yesterday's special meeting of the Finance Committee was Council member Darby's emotional speech opposing the proposed container port in North Charleston and any of the access roads. His opposition reflected the attitude of his constituents and the fears of the very adverse impact that the port and roads would have on the surrounding neighborhoods. He noted that too often poor and African American neighborhoods bore the brunt of development. It was going to happen again with the port development. It was time to make a stand. Affecting a Gullah dialect, "we ain't going to shuffle no mo', he said.

Continue reading "County Council February 16,"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:24 PM | Comments (0)

Back to drawing board on Port Access Road

Very much to the satisfaction of Council members Darby and Pryor, the SC Department of Transportation is going to have another look at its access road options relating to the proposed container port in North Charleston. The Council Chairman indicated at the Finance Committee meeting last week that he planned to speak to senior management of both the State Ports Authority and the SC Department of Transportation. He said at last night's meeting that he had a series of discussion with the respective heads and that "both were very cooperative". The SC DOT will withdraw its permit application for permission to use the proposed road designated 1c and will conduct another public hearing to consider suitable access.

Continue reading "County Council February 8"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:44 PM | Comments (0)

County deliberates on opposition to port access road

Auditors unqualified opinion on 2005 financial reports

Meeting as the Finance Committee, Council discussed the possible impact of an access road from the proposed container port in North Charleston to I 26, and the means to oppose the road. Council member Darby raised the issue at the meeting and spoke of the impact the road would have on the communities abutting the new port. The communities, essentially African American, fall largely in his electorate. He noted that the communities were split when I 26 was first built. He felt that the access road would have a similar adverse impact and was opposed to any of the access roads that had been studied by the Army Corps of Engineers. And he asked for Council's support to oppose them and by any means possible including Court action and seeking Federal help.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting February 2"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:34 PM | Comments (0)

Folly/Camp Road added to CTC Project Priority List

Disparity study, SPCA, and Saving Morris Island

The agenda for the first meeting of Council this year had no seriously divisive issues. Meeting firstly as the Planning/Public Works committee, Council added Folly/Camp Road to the Project Prioritization List of the Charleston County Transportation Committee (CTC). The list remains essentially the same as that at the time of the Sales tax referendum in November 2004 with the one addition. The addition amounts to $6 million and lifts the total of all projects to over $700 million. Download file
to see list.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting January 12"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:23 PM | Comments (0)

Bond issues approved

If it were not for the half hour break for an executive session, last night's Finance Committee meeting would have been short. There were some important items of the agenda, but all had been discussed in some measure previously and no disagreements were expected over their approval. Possibly the most important item was the issuance of bonds to finance road projects and green belt acquisitions. The bonds were referred to in the half-cent sales tax ordinance, and the interest and amortization will come from the sales-tax proceeds. Last night, the Committee was to approve an issue for $65 million of which $36 million will be for the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) and $29 million for the completion of the Palmetto Commerce Parkway -" acquisition and construction of a road way connecting Ashley Phosphate Road and the Palmetto Parkway through Spartan Boulevard.

Continue reading "County Council December 15"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:33 PM | Comments (0)

Righting an injustice

Public hearing on proposed Conservation Bank

There were not many spectators left at the close of yesterday's Finance Committee Meeting. Because of an executive session, the meeting began more than an hour late and time took a toll after a lengthy discussion about the proposed Conservation Bank. But the meeting had an electrifying ending. Council Member Darby, in a passionate speech, spoke of an injustice that had been dealt the County Attorney, Mr. Joe Dawson. He also requested that Mr Dawson's rate of remuneration be set at $160 an hour. Council member Darby had only recently learned on the injustice and judging from his manner, he was clearly incensed.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting December 1"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:07 PM | Comments (0)

Impact of Container Port Road to be scrutinized

Conservation League skeptical of Environmental Impact Study

Issues relating to the access road from I-26 to the proposed container port in North Charleston received the most attention at last night's Finance Committee meeting. These issues have been around for some weeks and flowed from the decision to seek funding from the State Infrastructure Bank for the access road as well as the completion of I- 526. At earlier meetings of the Finance Committee and Council, Council members Darby and Pryor in particular expressed strong concern as to the fate of the communities through which the proposed road could pass. Council subsequently asked the Transportation Consultant to evaluate the impact of the road and "encouraged" the SC Department of Transportation to do the same.

Continue reading "County Council November 10"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:00 PM

Committee approves formation of Conservation Bank

Mitigation efforts proposed for Mark Clark and Port Road

The Finance Committee approved the formation of the Conservation Bank proposed by Council member Bostic. However, the Committee voted to hold back funding for the bank until the Comprehensive Green Belt Plan was completed. The approval, despite the caveat of funding, was a slap in the face of the recently formed Greenbelt Advisory Board (GAB). The GAB had asked Council to defer the issue because of a number of reasons. Essentially, its stated that a decision on its formation was premature. It should wait for the Greenbelt Plan and until the mechanism for the choice of greenbelt acquisitions and the disposal of sales tax funds had been worked out.

Continue reading "County Council October 27"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:36 PM | Comments (0)

County too tardy in shaping Diversity Policy

Some reservations about Infrastructure Bank submission

There were two issues before the Special meeting of the Finance Committee yesterday. - a Diversity Policy for the County, and an application to the State Infrastructure Bank for financing to compete I-526 and the road linkage between the proposed container terminal in North Charleston and I-26. These were issues unresolved from the regular Finance Committee meeting of last week. Yesterday's meeting promised to be contentious and it was.

Continue reading "County Council October 18"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:51 PM | Comments (0)

Another meeting called to discuss Infrastructure Bank funds

Tardiness on Diversity Policy angering Council members

An application to the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) and "diversity" issues dominated discussion at last night's Finance Committee Meeting. And it was clear that some members were unhappy at the course of events.

Continue reading "County Council October 13"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:27 PM | Comments (0)

County to consider GPS for monitoring parolees, sex offenders and others

The agenda for yesterday's Finance Meeting included a simple item, GPS monitoring - Discussion. But it was sufficient to draw two State senators to the meeting as well as a Charleston City Council member. The issue was whether the County should consider a GPS system to monitor the whereabouts of sex offenders, parolees, or others than carry court-imposed obligations. What prompted the inclusion of the item on this week's agenda we do not know, but from the discussion it could have been any one of three reasons -expediency with the new jail some 4 years or more from completion, cost savings, or compassion for some jail inmates.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting September 29"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:30 PM | Comments (0)

Emergency preparedness presentation deferred

Approval of Compensation Study Consultant. More on road construction

The potential highlight of last night's Finance Committee meeting was an insight into the County's emergency preparedness. This was the last item on the agenda and no doubt had been inserted to ensure Council members and the public that the County was prepared for future emergencies - primarily hurricanes. And there is no prize for guessing what precipitated the need for this assurance. Unfortunately the insight was not to be. Because of the absence of some Council members and the pressing appointments of others, the presentation was deferred.

Continue reading "County Council September 15"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)

SPCA gets a new home and North Charleston gets a good deal, probably

Last night's Finance Committee meeting was short with no major issues up for discussion. The SPCA looks as though it has found a new home, Council member Colleen Condon made some appointments, and the Committee took care of some deficits that were carried over from Fiscal 2005.

Continue reading "County Council Sep 1"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 09:05 PM | Comments (0)

Council member tells why he voted for its retention

Several Democrats and perhaps some Republicans too, have questioned the wisdom of Councilman Pryor's and my voting in favor of keeping Joey Douan's salary in place. Knowing the history of Douan using the courts in resolving problems, a lawsuit would have been brought against Charleston County in reference to the aforementioned subject-matter. Councilman Pryor and I attempted to use economic logic in our final decision of the vote taken.

Continue reading "Joey Douan's Council pay"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:00 PM | Comments (0)

County is doing a "superb" job

But M.A.P Commission recommends some major changes

The final report of the Charleston County Commission on Management, Accountability and Performance (M.A.P) was presented to the Finance Committee last night. In a presentation, the Chairman of the Commission, Dr Mark Hartley said that overall the County is doing a "superb" job. But there were a number of areas where, in the opinion of the Commission, some improvements could be made. All of these were contained in the 308-page report placed before Committee members last night.

Continue reading "County Council August 18"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 09:02 PM | Comments (0)

County to more seriously address diversity issues

The most surprising thing about the new diversity initiatives before the Finance Committee last night was that they were necessary. It is not that a policy is unnecessary. It was just surprising that something kin to that considered last night was not already in place. In an exchange with a citizen who spoke before the Committee, Chairman Stavrinakis stated that the Council had already been beaten up on the issue and the members had beaten each other. In a way, this was a confession of the inadequacies of the past policy. However the County's Procurement Director noted that as far as a policy for "procurement" was concerned 43 of the 45 other counties in the State did not have a Minority Preference Program in place, though we presume they had diversity policies for Human Resources.

Continue reading "County Council August 18"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 04:41 PM | Comments (0)

Service District's plea rejected without discussion. Diversity issues on hiring moving to resolution

The lead item on the agenda at yesterday's meetings promised some excitement. It was a proposal from the James Island Public Service District that sought a moratorium to the issue of all residential building permits for developments in excess of 3 units in the County. The moratorium should remain in effect until revenue from the recently imposed half-cent sales tax is available for transportation improvement and green space acquisition, it said. The request to Council noted amongst other things, the congestion on roads on James Island and elsewhere in the County, and the problems developing for the preservation of wetlands.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting July 7"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:57 PM | Comments (0)

Heated meeting on procurement and hiring policy of the County

Simmering issue with Town of Mount Pleasant

It started with the discussion of a $3.6 million contact for road resurfacing. It ended with a call for executive session to discuss the County's policies on hiring and procurement. In between there were a series of very heated exchanges between Council members on the tardiness of the administration in formulating a policy and the lack of communication between Staff and members of the Council.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting June 16"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:41 PM | Comments (0)

Small issues, but tense meeting

In a sense, nothing of great import happened at yesterday's Council Meeting. The agenda was quite large but most were ordinances that already had their obligatory first or second readings. And then there were the appointments, most of which were straightforward, and subject to a simple vote. So, Council should breeze through the whole agenda and we would all be home early. Wrong - perhaps very wrong, if one waited to hear a comment on the "executive session" that was called at the end of the Council meeting. We didn't stay.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting June 7"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:18 PM | Comments (0)

Property reassessment notices going out shortly

Be prepared for the howls, Assessor warns

Be prepared for the phone calls when property re-assessment notices are mailed out shortly, the County Assessor warned Council members at last evening's Finance Committee meeting. On average, properties in the County rose near 50% since the previous valuation but some areas sustained increases of over 80%. He stated that usually about 10% of re-assessments are challenged but the office hopes that the percentage is lower this time round because values did not rise as substantially as in the last assessment in 2001.

Continue reading "County Council June 2"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:07 PM | Comments (0)

Should employees on low wages get a higher COLA adjustment?

Confusion over contributions to Outside Agencies. Aquarium added to the list

They were not matters of great financial import but viewers may be interested in what was discussed at last night's Finance Committee Meeting.

First on the agenda was Cost of Living (COLA) increases for County Staff. Normally at this time each year, salaries and wages are adjusted upwards to reflect the impact of inflation over the last year. As measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for this region, the COLA increase was 3.3%, a ratio somewhat higher than the national average.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting May 24"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:35 PM | Comments (0)

What a difference a few days make

CARTA to receive an extra $1 million. Conservation Bank to go back to Finance Committee for consideration

As is usual, much of the agenda on last night's meeting received rubber stamp approval. After all, most of it had been considered and approved by the Finance Committee. What was surprising was the decision to raise the allocation of sales tax proceeds for Fiscal 2006 to CARTA. The Finance Committee at its meeting last week stated that it would keep the allocation to 18% of the sales tax proceeds, a ratio that it fixed in the 2002 referendum paper. Committee members last week expressed fear that many voters would be incensed if CARTA were to receive more than this allocation particularly as the inclusion of CARTA as a recipient of sales tax funds was contentious.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting May 17"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 03:56 PM | Comments (0)

Cause for Concern

There is no doubt that County Council and the Cities spent a lot of time convincing voters of the need for the half-cent sales tax. Observing County Council meetings over the last few weeks it is becoming obvious that Council should have spent more time dealing with how the tax was spent. There is cause for concern.

Continue reading "Half-Cent Sales Tax - An uncertain direction"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:41 AM | Comments (0)

Sales Tax budget approved for 2006

Spending on roads to accelerate, CARTA's request for larger allocation rejected

The Finance Committee yesterday considered the proposed Fiscal 2006 budget for the half-cent sales tax. Collection of the tax did not begin until the beginning of this month but it will not be until the fiscal year beginning July 1 that the county actually receives the tax. The County expects to generate $35.16 million in revenue from the tax in the fiscal year and has allocated $22.5 million or 65% of the total for Transportation. A breakdown of the allocation can be seen by pressing here

Continue reading "Charleston County May 12"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:12 PM | Comments (0)

Finance Committee ponders some more over sales tax use

Concern over citizens' reaction

As anticipated, the County Administrator, Roland Windham made his presentation to the Finance Committee yesterday on the use of the sales tax proceeds. It really did not break any new ground. What the Committee was looking for was some guidance as to how much of the proceeds of the sales tax could be diverted to Public Works to fund projects already under consideration. Mr. Windham did not give a definitive answer nor was it his to give really. This was the responsibility of Mr. Joe Dawson the County Attorney. He stated at a meeting last week and again yesterday that in his opinion, virtually all the projects relating to roads and drainage - the major part of Public Works - would qualify for consideration

Continue reading "County Council Meeting May 10"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:04 PM | Comments (0)

Finance Committee to consider using sales tax to free up funds

Will it be legal?

The Finance Committee is looking at a way to shift some public works funding to the half cent sales tax and free up funds for other purposes. The County Administrator Mr. Windham plans on making a presentation to the Committee next Tuesday as to the possibilities that are open to the Council. The possibility of shifting the funding was raised in budget sessions last week.

Continue reading "County Council - May 5"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 03:36 PM | Comments (0)

Capital Improvement spending to jump over next 5 years

Tax increase maybe avoided

The Finance Committee met yesterday to consider the Fiscal year 2006 budget and the 5 year Capital Improvement plan. There was little of contention in the operating budget and it was duly passed by the Committee. But the 5 year Capital Improvement Plan was much discussed. The contention related largely to the new jail and to a lesser extent the changes planned to the County's Azalea complex. Together, these items would add $113 million to spending over the next 5 years with the new jail complex representing about $86 million. Total spending over the next 5 years including Azalea and the new jail is projected at about $142 million.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting May 3"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:28 PM | Comments (0)

Presentation by Economic Development Directors of County and Mount Pleasant

Mr. Steven Dykes, Director of Economic Development for the County, was optimistic about the course of the Charleston economy this year and beyond when he made his presentation to County Council last week. He noted that 2004 was a record year and this year had the promise of being another record. Last year, records were broken in housing starts and sales, gross retail sales, airport activity, tourism and perhaps most importantly, capital investment.

Continue reading "Strong outlook for Charleston Economy"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:01 PM | Comments (0)

Could the new sales tax restrain property tax increases

Plan for Conservation Bank to be sent to G AB for consideration

It really wasn't on the Finance Committee agenda but it came up in discussion on the Fiscal year 2006 budget. Council member Scott suggested that consideration be given to shifting funding on some public works to the soon-to-be-collected half cent sales tax. He suggested that perhaps $4 million could be shifted but subsequent discussion suggested that even more might be possible. Property taxes amount to about $55 million for the County so the notional reduction on shifting $4 million would be about 8%.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting April 28"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:10 PM | Comments (0)

New members make stand on diversity

The matter before the Finance Committee of Council was the proposed structure of the administration of the new half-cent sales tax. However, the issue clearly became race. The discussion of the proposal was polite in form, but it grew intense in nature. Discussion ended when a vote was taken on " calling the question". Effectively, this meant that no agreement was made on the nature of the administration.

Continue reading "County Council April 14"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:47 PM | Comments (0)

Citizens alarmed over proposed developments

Some 2000 housing units proposed for two projects

Centex was surprised at the hostility expressed at Tuesday night's public hearing. After all, it made no secret of its plans and these had been developed after full discussion with Council and its staff. It had also attempted to keep residents of the area informed. But as Council member Darby stated after a stream of residents voiced their concerns, the company may have asked citizens their views but was it listening? Council Chairman Stavrinakas advised the Centex and the other developer to look again at their plans.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting - April 5"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:25 PM | Comments (0)

County ponders move to control CARTA

We thought it might just have been the enthusiasm of new Council members. We also thought that their desire to more forcefully re-shape CARTA would succumb to the pressures of more seasoned members. Well, the Council did yield to the views of some of the longer standing members, but only to allow the Council Staff to more fully study the ramifications of what the Finance Committee proposed at its last meeting - that the County acquire full ownership and take over the running of CARTA.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting, Februrary 1"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:55 PM | Comments (0)

Incentives for aircraft construction project approved

The Finance Committee approved the financial incentives proposed by the County for the Vought Aircraft - Alenia Aeronautica joint venture that is planning a major investment in North Charleston. Plans of the JV have already been announced and they entail a facility that will manufacture and integrate the fuselage for the new Boeing 7E7 "Dreamliner" commercial aircraft. As noted by Charles Newton, the head of the JV, the investment is projected at $560 million and will be the largest single investment ever in the Charleston region and the second largest ever in the state. The JV and the partners will employ an estimated 645 persons with an annual payroll of $32.5 million.

Continue reading "County Council, December 16"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 02:32 PM

A Commission to be formed to oversee green space acquisition

Coastal Conservation League to oppose sales tax increase.

County Council took another small step forward in an attempt to win voter approval for the half cent sales tax. It agreed to set up a panel similar to the proposed Country Transport Commission (CTC), to guide and oversee proposals for spending in relation to green space. Is the move enough? We don't think so. Nor did the SC Coastal Conservation League.

Continue reading "County Council Meeting October 19"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:42 PM | Comments (0)

Tom Wise who covers Johns Island

Over 50 residents of Morris Acres and the surrounding Johns Island neighborhoods met on Thursday evening, Oct. 14, 2004, at the Berkley Electric Co-op building on Johns Island to voice their opposition to the densities proposed for the planned Brickman Farm subdivision. The subdivision will comprise 281 acres and will have its first reading before County Council on Oct. 19. Numerous fears were addressed as concerned residents contemplated increases in traffic, water runoff and possible groundwater pollution, destruction of natural habitat, possible annexation by the City of Charleston, and a general decline of their peaceful way of life they have enjoyed for years.

Continue reading "Residents of Johns Island to fight subdivision"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:11 PM | Comments (0)

Lee Grayson
267 Saint Margaret St.
Sir
Is it just me, or does anyone suspect that Charleston County's vision of the future looks a lot like James Island? With over a billion dollars to spend on new road construction, the pressure to develop rural areas will be intense. Imagine Johns Island, Wadmalaw, or Awendaw, with their brand new highways, and their 800 acre county parks (proudly promoted as "greenspace") surrounded by tens of thousands of acres of suburban development. And even these parks wouldn't be sacrosanct. Does anyone remember the plan to extend Highway 30 through James Island County Park? I can imagine the real estate ad now- "Come live in the beautiful, new Tea Farm Estates, just minutes from Wadmalaw County Park, and the new Sea Island Connector..."

Posted by Warwick Jones at 03:48 PM | Comments (0)

Public Hearing on Sales Tax

Coastal Conservation League still opposes sales tax

The SC Coastal Conservation League opposed the proposed sales tax at the public hearing last night. The League has been outspoken in its criticism of the tax, in particular the lack of accountability in relation to the spending of the proceeds. Mr Eric Meyer who represented the League at the meeting stated:

Continue reading "County Council Meeting October 5"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:19 PM

Tom Wise who covers Johns Island

Johns Island residents, with the support of the Coastal Conservation League, have started a website to promote our petition to force St. Johns Water Company to call for a vote on whether or not to continue with plans for a proposed 30 inch waterline on Johns Island. (For more details on the waterline and why many Johns Island residents are opposed to it, see my July 28 posting to CharlestonWatch.com.)

Our new website is located at www.stopthewaterline.com, or clickhere

Continue reading "Johns Islanders organize to restrain waterline construction"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)

Tom Wise who covers Johns Island

Concerned Johns Island residents sincerely appreciate the Editorial in the Post and Courier of July 26, 2004 regarding the proposed 30-inch waterline on Johns Island. The preservation of our rural way of life depends on the dissemination of the facts, and we applaud the effort on our behalf.

To better understand the controversy over the Johns Island waterline, I have done a bit of research on this issue, and I'd like to share with your readers some of the information that I have learned.

Continue reading "New water line threatens Johns Island rural ambience"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 03:48 PM

Megan J. Terebus, Land Use Associate, South Carolina Coastal Conservation League PO Box 1765 Charleston

Sir,
In respect to Mr Wise's report published today, it is important to remember that County Council twice voted in favor of restoring the original Urban Growth Boundary on Johns Island in response to Cindy Floyd's request. The application failed third reading because the fifth vote that Johns Islanders had counted on, AD Jordan, was absent from the meeting due to a family illness.

Continue reading "Support for restoring the original Urban Growth Boundary on Johns Island"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 08:46 PM | Comments (0)

Tom Wise. who covers Johns Island issues

It was no real surprise to concerned Johns Island residents that the Charleston County Planning Commission voted 3 to 2 last night against recommending the Urban Boundary line on Johns Island be restored to its original position. The recommendation will go to the to County Council for consideration next month. Supporters of keeping Johns Island rural were noticeably absent at the meeting, as they expected this outcome and will show their full support when County Council is scheduled to here the application at 5:00, August 17, 2004.

Continue reading "Charleston County Planning Commission Votes Against Application by Johns Islanders to Restore Urban Boundary"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:13 PM | Comments (0)

Attention Johns Island Residents: Stop the Madness!

Please attend County Planning Commission Hearing on July 19

The Charleston County Planning Commission will consider the most recent application to amend the Charleston County Comprehensive Plan at their next regular meeting, July 19, 2004. This amendment would reinstate the original Urban Growth Line that was established by County Council in 1999, reversing its decision to expand the boundary and open up 2500 more Johns Island acres to development and urban sprawl. For a map showing the original and expanded boundaries click
here (See my previous letter for more details)

Continue reading "County Planning Commission to consider reinstating urban growth line on Johns Island"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:06 AM | Comments (0)

Roy A De Haven
Chairman
Board of Elections and Voter Registration of Charleston County

Sir

Over my past 25 years of active involvement in local and national politics the steady drumbeat has always sounded for more people to be trained as poll managers and to actually serve as poll managers on election days.

2004 has many local elections leading up to the Presidential Election in which 200,000 Charleston County voters will be allowed to cast a ballot. However, the Board of Elections & Voter Registration is short hundreds of poll workers who are the key to making sure the election process is fair.

Continue reading "Urgent need for poll watchers"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 03:15 PM | Comments (0)

Half-cent Sales Tax Increase and Property Tax Cap

Warning on wording of the referendum

There was little new ground covered in the public hearings before the Charleston County Council on the ½ cent sales tax increase and the property tax cap. About half a dozen persons spoke on the sales tax referendum proposed by the county and all were in favor expect Mr. Joey Douan. Mr. Douan was responsible for initiating the successful action to undo the results of the last referendum. His speech was probably the most interesting, He stated that the governor had mandated that the wording in the referendum proposed for November be essentially that of the first. Yet, he noted, there were substantial differences.betwen the two. These he feared would be sufficient for another suit after the next referendum. We could be back here in 2 years confronting the same issues, he warned. Mr. Douan did not speak against the imposition of the tax and indeed stated that the county needed a public bus system. Considering his past opposition to the tax, it may be too much to read into this a newfound support for CARTA. He also expressed surprise that the County had not formed a citizens committee to help guide the county in implementing the sales tax or allocating the proceeds.

Continue reading "County Council Public Hearing - July 8"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:18 PM

Tom Wise
4355 River Road
Johns Island

Residents of Johns Island and Charleston County must unite to restrain the urban sprawl that is destroying the rural ambience of Johns Island. We need to show our support for the recent application submitted to the Charleston County Planning Department to amend Charleston County's Comprehensive Plan, reinstating the original Urban Growth Line on Johns Island to its original boundary, recommended by the Planning Commission and approved by County Council in 1999.

For a map showing the original and expanded boundaries go to here

Continue reading "A wake up call for Johns Island"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 03:20 PM | Comments (0)

Tom Wise
4355 River Road
Johns Island

Residents of Johns Island and Charleston County must unite to restrain the urban sprawl that is destroying the rural ambience of Johns Island. We need to show our support for the recent application submitted to the Charleston County Planning Department to amend Charleston County's Comprehensive Plan, reinstating the original Urban Growth Line on Johns Island to its original boundary, recommended by the Planning Commission and approved by County Council in 1999.

For a map showing the original and expanded boundaries go to here

Continue reading "A wake up call for Johns Island"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 03:20 PM | Comments (0)

Anthony Bryant
4726 Churchill Ave
North Charleston

Sir
Where is the outcry? There was a glaring irregularity in voting in the last County Democratic primary. Voting machines were not programmed correctly in District 4 and the votes of some 40 people failed to register in split precincts, a fact noted by the Board of Elections. These votes could have been sufficient to swing the results for council candidates.

Continue reading "Voting irregularities in County election"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 05:24 PM | Comments (0)

No surprises with Sales Tax and CARTA Budget approved. Reassessment cap decision deferred

We speak with Howard Chapman of CARTA

With the CARTA 2005 budget, the Sales Tax referendum and the Reassessment cap on the Committee's agenda, we were prepared for an interesting meeting. Considering the TV crews present, others were obviously expecting some excitement. Well, it all was a bit of a yawn. The CARTA budget was accepted without discussion, so was the Sales Tax referendum. And a decision on the Reassessment cap was deferred.

Continue reading "County Finance Committee Jun 17."

Posted by Warwick Jones at 01:45 PM

Warwick Jones, standing in for Shawn Keller who is on
military duty

Sales tax is vital to CARTA operations
Mr. Chapman acknowledges the importance of the Sales tax to the budget next year but adds the very continuation of CARTA depends on the sales tax being approved by voters in the referendum. And assuming it gets passed, there are some initiatives that are planned to improve service, though they will not be implemented before May next year

Continue reading "More on CARTA - Summary of a discussion with Howard Chapman, executive director of CARTA"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 06:26 PM | Comments (0)

Submitted by The Editors

Have you seen the new County Council District maps? If you have, you are probably shaking your head as to how some of the boundaries were formed. For example, the area below Broad Street on the Peninsula is joined with Sullivan's Island and the Isle of Palms. Hullo, we thought, this looks very much like "gerrymandering"! We made some enquiries and although it indeed looks like "gerrymandering", there were reasons for the strange boundaries.

Continue reading "Some odd shapes among new County Council Districts"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 07:12 PM | Comments (0)

The Editors

Why is it that we persist in the expensive and arguably unfair voting process we have in Charleston County, City and South Carolina? Why don't we not adopt the preferential system that is used in most other western countries.

Presently, if there are more than 3 candidates in a race, there is a run-off election if no candidate wins 50% of more in the first poll. This system tends to favor the candidate with the most money, who is better placed to finance two elections. If there are 5 or 6 candidates, the run-off may be very unfair because the preferences of those who voted for the candidates that did not make the run-off are ignored.

Continue reading "Arguably Unfair Voting Practice"

Posted by Warwick Jones at 11:26 PM | Comments (0)