During the meeting Tuesday, Anderson County Council approved first reading on ordinances prohibiting certain vehicle traffic on two Powdersville area roads, a clear bag policy for county buildings and began preliminary discussions to consider options to fund road paving throughout the County.
Two Eagle Scouts were recognized by Councilman Glen Davis.
Anderson County Finance Director Rita Davis and Roads and Bridges Department Head Matt Hogan presented information costs to pave county roads and possible revenue options the county could consider to pay for road and bridge improvements.
The three options presented for council included a vehicle fee, a vehicle tax, and/or a one cent sales tax.
A vehicle road fee of $15 would generate approximately $3.2 million per year which according to Davis, would only pave three miles of roads.
A one mill tax on vehicles would only generate approximately $1 million.
The option that would go the furthest in paving county roads would be a County-wide transportation sales tax of one cent, which would generate approximately $30 million each year.
According to Davis, if implemented the transportaton sales tax would expire when all county roads are paved or in 25 years. All revenues collected would be placed in a special revenue fund for road improvements.
Davis said details of the proposed tax would be worked out and placed on a bond referendum, which would be decided by voters in the 2024 General Election.
Roads in all seven County Council Districts would be included.
Four counties in South Carolina, Richland, Charleston, Dorchester and Berkley, currently have a transportation tax, Davis said.
Council Chairman Tommy Dunn said that most people did not like the car fee and it would not raise enough money. The millage rate tax on vehicles is limited by State Law and again is not enough to do anything, he said. “The money is not there in our budget. Most of the (couny) budget is salaries and personnel. The sales tax is more of a fair way.”
Dunn made it clear that, “Voters would have to vote on it.”
During discussions, District Four Councilman Brett Sanders said that forty percent of the revenue from a transportation tax would be out of county funding from visitors to Anderson County.
District Six Councilman Jimmy Davis said that he would be against a property tax but would be more supportive of considering a usage tax he said through tourism, “a lot of people would help pay”. “It is a great discussion to have. I don’t see any other way.” He also said it would be helpful to have “a quick shapshot” of information in electronic form and on the web for people to look at.
District Seven Councilwoman Cindy Wilson said if council moves forward, she would like to see additional information including a list of roads and information on pros and cons that could be presented to the public. She said she would also like to see meetings around the County for informaton to be presented.
Davis said Anderson County has 1534 miles of county roads and the cost for paving one mile is $600,000. Each District needs approximately $3 to 4 million to maintain roads within that district. Hogan said the County also has 52 bridges which are “load limited”, meaning heavy vehicles such as firetrucks and buses cannot use them.
Hogan said all County roads will be listed and ranked in need of repair.
Following the discussion, Chairman Dunn said “If Council decides to move this forward, the public will vote on it.”
There was consensus among all seven councilmembers to move forward on the issue. No official vote was taken.
Details on the bond referendum must be completed by August of 2024 to be included on the November 2024 general election ballot.
In other action, Council approved second reading on an ordinance restricting certain motor vehicle traffic on Moore Road.
Council also approved first reading on an ordinance restricting certain motor vehicle traffic on Major Road.
District 6 Councilman Davis, who owns property on both roads, recused himself from the discussion and vote.
The ordinance prohibits through trucks on both roads which are located in the proximity of Wren Elementary, Wren Middle and Wren High Schools.
Council unanimously approved first reading to allow County buildings to implement a clear bag policy.
County Administrator Rusty Burns told Council that the policy will provide additional security and with direction from law enforcement, “is highly recommended”. He said currently when people enter county buildings security personnel can’t see what is in a pocket book or in pockets.
Chairman Dunn stated, “Unfortunately this is the world we live in now”.
There was some discussion about the policy being implemented for all county buildings.
Councilman J. Davis asked about county libraries and specifically about the library and magistrate court being in the government complex in Powdersville.
According to information presented during the discussion, the policy can be implemented in any County building or structure, but the ordinance does not require it. The Library system has their own Board of Directors which will decide their policy.
“A lot of things have happened recently, in small towns, that they didn’t think would happen, even in small town America,” Dunn said.
Scouts Jeremiah Jenkins and Jackson Fellers, both working on their Eagle Scout status, were recognized at the meeting along with Assistant Troop Leader Roxanne Sheets.
Council also approved a resolution honoring the memory of Sidney Wood “Butch” Kennedy, Sr. for his service to the community. He grew up exercising thoroughbreds at multiple east coast racetracks, riding saddle broncs and bulls, jousting, playing polo, and training many horses, eventually graduating from Clemson College in 1962. He brought the first horse to what is now known as the Clemson Equine Center, and created the majority of the trails in the Fant’s Grove area with the Block and Bridle Club. The trailhead behind the Garrison Arena is named the Butch Kennedy Trailhead in Kennedy’s honor. Kennedy was awarded the inaugural Order of the Stirrup in the year 2000 for his lifetime of work with horses and his central role in ensuring trails were passable and safe for the equine community.
During their April 4 meeting, Council approved a resolution honoring Powdersville firefighter Rick Ownings. Ownings has served for more than fifty-two years; and has held the positions of Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, and Chief during his time spent volunteering with the Department. He has received many awards over the years from the Department including Firefighter of the Year and the Ken Barr Award of Service and Dedication. He has also served as the Department’s Treasurer, served on its Board of Directors, has served on many committees, and has been involved in many different aspects of fire training throughout the County. Owings is a 1973 Wren High School graduate.
