Greenville County Council sets its work for the year

By Charles Sowell  

JANUARY 20, 2010 12:49 p.m. (0)

Issues that will test Greenville County Council in the coming year bubbled to the surface during the traditional closing ceremony where members are free to bring up any subject they wish Tuesday night.

Councilman Jim Burns urged council members to be cognizant of the state association of counties issues list for the coming year.

“Most especially, I’d urge you all to join with other cities in the county to push our local state lawmakers to reject the point of sale tax,” he said.

The measure would change the way taxes are set for real estate and is being pushed by Realtors across the state, according to the South Carolina Association of Counties. It would reduce taxes on sales of existing homes but allow new homes to be taxed at their full value.

Burns told council the potential impact of the measure on local governments and schools was devastating.

The association of counties said the measure not under consideration “creates a bias against new investment in commercial and residential property because new buildings are taxes at 100 percent of fair market price while any property that has been in existence through at least one reassessment is only taxed at a percentage of fair market value.

Burns suggested that, in consultation with other governmental bodies, county officials make it clear to state officials that the point of sale plan is unacceptable to the point that litigation might be considered.

The District 21 councilman also urged creation of an “ad hoc” committee to look at a variety of issues facing the county and Council Chairman H.G. “Butch” Kirven agreed to set the panel up and asked for volunteers to serve on the panel.

Councilman Joe Dill asked council for, and got, unanimous support to create a heritage foothills ad hoc committee to deal with issues facing the state Route 11 corridor and the corridors surrounding U.S. 25 and 276.

Dill was especially concerned about issues relating to historic sites in the area that are threatened by neglect and with promoting tourism in the area long known as “the Dark Corner” of Greenville County.

Kirven touted the county’s recent audit report which gave officials high marks for their fiscal prudence for the 18th year in a row.

Councilwoman Liz Seman said U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis was instrumental in securing a $750,000 grant for improvements to runways at SCTAC.

Work on the regular agenda was brief with only five grant applications for law enforcement equipment and training on the consent agenda.

A resolution to execute a fee in lieu of taxes agreement with a industry known as Project Magic Carpet cleared council unanimously. The as yet unnamed project would have a minimum worth of $68 million.

Council’s only ordinance at third reading was an 11 mil increase in the ad valorem property tax for the Ashwicke Special Tax District to make up for an operating deficit.

County council next meets on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. in council chambers at County Square.

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