During their meeting Monday, Williamston Town Council approved second and final reading on the 2023-24 budget with a bare quorum. Councilmembers Tony Hagood had a work conflict and Chris Alexander was on vacation.
The new budget includes a 9.12 millage increase on property taxes, a 10 percent increase in water/sewer rates and $1 increase on the garbage fee.
The budget also includes a two percent across the board pay increase for Town employees and allows for an incentive or merit bonus or increase at the discretion of the mayor.
Total revenues and expenses in the 2023-24 budget will amount to $7,509,770, an increase of $1,409,770 over the $6.1 million budget for the current year.
Mayor Rockey Burgess said thanked Councilmembers for their work on the budget which he said includes a “slight millage adjustment”.
Councilman Lee Cole stated that this budget was especially difficult this year and council was faced with having to raise revenue with a millage increase. “I think it is necessary this year,” he said. “With inflation and the situation with our employees,” whom he said are underpaid. Cole said the budget “was balanced going forward and reflects growth the town is experiencing, resulting in more work and services that are offered for safety, water and sewer, things that are necessary. I think it is needed. It will be difficult for me and for our citizens, but it is a path for the future and we won’t have to increase the millage for several years.”
The budget includes a two percent pay increase for employees.
Mayor Burgess pointed out that an outside recommendation was that an 8.4 percent increase was needed to get the town where it needs to be on pay. “We have super employees,” Burgess said.
The budget also includes a ten percent increase in water/sewer rates and the garbage fee.
The increase in water rates will add approximately $8 to the average water/sewer bill. The garbage fee will increase $1, from the current fee of $10 to $11.
“We have absorbed a 23 percent increase in water rates from Anderson Regional Joint Water System over the last five years,” the Mayor said. “It is not sustainable. As much as I hate an increase in millage rates, I will not bankrupt our utilities. Council took great consideration for the elderly and people on fixed incomes and chose not to have a huge increase in fees. They chose a millage increase.”
Regarding the increases in millage, garbage and water, Mayor Burgess said, “The increases put the town on sound financial footing for the next couple of years. The timing was necessary.”
The budget was unanimously approved with 3-0 vote. Councilmembers Tabatha Austin, Lee Cole and Mayor Burgess were present for the vote
There was considerable discussion during a lengthy budget work session held Friday with the entire council, regarding the increases and how to allocate the additional revenue. (See separate story)
During the meeting Monday, Envision Williamston Executive Director Roberta Hamby reported that Gracie Eaton has been named as a new EW Board Member. Eaton also works in the Town offices.
Hamby said the final concert of the Envision Williamston Concert Series was held Friday evening and she has received very positive feedback and thanks for organizing the weekly entertainment event. The event was sponsored by a grant from Cristina Ortiz State Farm Agency in Williamston.
Hamby said Envision Williamston along with the Palmetto Business Association will again sponsor Bobbers On Big Creek event, which will be held on July 1 as part of the Town’s “Freedom Celebration”. There will also be a Freedom Market.
Hamby said Envision Williamston is planning a scavenger hunt to be held in Mineral Spring Park. The activity will have rocks painted with a number and letter that can be found to complete a puzzle. The puzzle will be available for solving at another new activity, a creekside campout in the park on Fri July 28 & 29.
According to Hamby, the “Camping Creekside in Williamston” event will be a “staycation” where campers can bring a tent and camp out overnight in the Park. The event will include smores, outdoor games a movie, misting tent and campside stories, Hamby said. The event will be from 6 p.m. on Friday to 12 noon on Saturday.
Hamby said Envision Williamston is also planning a Pickleball Tournament to be held in Mineral Spring Park, possibly in September.
Mural artist recognized by Council
Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess, Councilmember Lee Cole and Councilmember Tabatha Austin recognized Brazilian artist Eliana Dos Santos for her work in painting the new mural at the Pickleball Courts in the Park.
Mayor Burgess recognized Brazilian artist Eliana Dos Santos for her work in painting the new mural at the Pickleball Courts in the Park.
Burgess said the town received a SC Arts Commission grant to fund the mural. The grant was a 50/50 match for the town but the Town had to find an artist that could complete the mural in 30 days or less. Dos Sontos applied for the project and was selected to paint the mural which was completed Friday. (See separate story)
During the business portion of the meeting, Council approved second reading on an ordinance to rezone property on Mauldin Street.
Council approved second reading to sell property located at 2 West Second Street. Councilman Cole recussed himself due to a conflict of interest. Councilman Hagood called in by phone to provide a quorum for the vote.
Council also appointed Mike Simpson to the Town’s Planning Commission. He will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of his father, Jim Simpson. Burgess said there is an additional seat on the commission if anyone is interested.
Council unanimously approved the annexation of two tracts of property including 14 acres which is owned by Trinity Baptist Church. The annexation includes four acres and the church building plus ten acres the church plans to sell. Mayor Burgess said the town is growing with recent annexation requests.
Burgess also said that Town employee Michael Phillips, who was injured in a recent motorcycle accident, is improving. The town and fire department are raising money to help with expenses. The Fire Department recently held a boot drive which raised a considerable amount of money for the family and an account has been established at Upstate Federal Credit Union.
