Colleton County Council held is regularly scheduled meeting on August 27th. The meeting began with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Meeting Minutes were approved for June 18th and July 15th.
Special Awards and recognitions were given to Colleton County Sheriff’s Office Cadet Post #843 and Council Proclaimed September 29th as Veterans of Foreign Wars 125th Anniversary.
Representative Robbie Robbins spoke, and a presentation was given by Crawford Moore, Mayor of Edisto Beach. David Green also spoke on Tropical Storm Debby recovery by the Emergency Management Division (EMD). The County Administrator, Kevin Griffin was under the weather and unable to attend the Council Meeting. Councilman Trippe requested a follow-up meeting with EMD to review the response to the disaster.
The Council held public hearings on two ordinances and one Resolution. The first ordinance was on the execution and delivery of a Fee-In Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes Agreement between Colleton County and Sand Ridge Solar to further amend the Multi County Industrial Park Agreement between Colleton and Hampton Counties. The second public hearing addressed borrowing $2,300,00 for Lowcountry Regional Airport through a USDA Rural Development Loan for Construction of a new Fuel Farm and two T-Hangers at the airport. The third public hearing was on a resolution to Establish Millage for School Operations for Fiscal Year ’24-’25. There were two speakers for the public hearing. One for and one against the Millage Increase for the School Operations Budget.
After the Public Hearings the Council took up the matters address in Old Business. 3rd Reading was held on Ordinance 24-0-07, Fee-In-Lieu of Ad Valorem Tax Agreement between Colleton County and Sand Ridge Solar. Council voted with a 4 to 1 vote with Councilman Taylor in opposition to the ordinance. Council voted unanimously on 2nd reading to change the name of the Colleton County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs to Colleton Cares. Also, on 2nd reading council voted 4 to 1 on Ordinance 24-0-10 to Execute and Deliver a Fee-In Lieu of Ad Valorem Tax Agreement between Colleton County and Project Sun and affiliates. Councilman Taylor was the opposing vote stating that this will only create a few jobs, Councilman Biering commented this will be a good use for property that would otherwise not have infrastructure for a considerable number of years.
In new business council discussed the County Holiday Schedule, the motion was tabled pending further discussion. Council heard 1st reading of the FY24 Grant and Budget Resolution authorized by County Council, the motion carried unanimously. 1st reading of an ordinance for Fee-In-Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes Agreement by a project know to the County as Project Ironsides in the Multi County Industrial Park, the motion carried without objection. The 1st reading for a rezoning of property on Oswald Court from Residential Suburban to Urban Development, the motion passed unanimously. 1st reading of the issuance and sale of bonds for the Ag Expo Center Project not to exceed $4,000,000, the motion carried unanimously.
Also in New Business, the Council took up resolution 24-R-46, this will all council to establish the Millage for School Operations for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget Year. Colleton County School District asked County Council for money to give teachers a pay increase. Bubba Trippe, Scott Biering, and Dr. Flowers voted no, stating the unwillingness to place a permanent tax increase on citizens who cannot afford it. Dr. Flowers suggested using reserve funds to replace the millage increase. Steven Murdaugh and Philip Taylor voted yes. The Resolution Failed by a vote of 3-2. The full discussion is available on video by visiting the County Council page on the county website.
Sharon Witkin, Chairmen of the Colleton County School District Board of Trustees issued the following statement:
“While grateful for the two Councilmen who support an increase in millage for school district operations, I am disheartened that the majority of our Colleton County Council voted against the request for increased revenue to benefit the operations of Colleton County District schools. Colleton County School District met with elected County officials for several months in review of our needs; explaining the unfunded mandates required by our State. No MIL increase request from CCSD has been made to the County since 2019. No item or service has escaped financial increase in the past five years and services for our children is no exception.
As neighboring counties provide added local funds to recruit and retain quality teachers, Colleton County voted against any tax increase to support our District.
No other governmental entity is as reviewed, tested and is as results-driven as public education. The staff of Colleton County School District has worked incredibly hard to guide our students, provide a positive learning environment, and increase state testing scores. This work will continue despite the challenges before us. We hope Colleton County fully supports these efforts moving forward.”
Please note funding for school operations does NOT come from residential property taxes, but from business, industry, vehicle, and non-residential properties owned in Colleton County. “
The council also took up resolution 24-R-47 to Authorize Acceptance and Budgeting of Various Grants for ’24 – ‘25
Also other resolutions authorized three floater positions for Colleton County Fire Rescue, to waive Solid Waste Construction and Landfill Fees for Tropical Storm Debby, to authorize the Clerk to Council to advertise board vacancies and to appoint members to board vacancies. The resolutions were all approved unanimously.
They held a public comment session. School Superintendent Williams and School Board Chairman Witkin spoke and expressed concern about the Council decision on the Millage Increase and went into executive session which lasted about an hour.
The lengthy meeting adjourned at 7:48pm.
