Pelzer Town Council approved second reading on the 2023-24 budget during a special called meeting Tuesday (June 20). They also approved second reading on a new zoning map and setbacks ordinance.
The budget includes a boost in revenue from a variety of sources including an increase in the Duke Energy Franchise Fee, new planning commission fees and new business license fees.
The 2023-24 budget also includes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Cell Tower property sale funds and Hospitality Tax funds, that will be used for planned renovations and restoration of the Pelzer Community Building and the old Hospital Building, according to Mayor Will Ragland.
The Town is also planning to use funding already collected for renovation work on the two historic buildings.
Ragland said Preservation South is working on finalizing the approval of Historic Tax Credits status with the State for the projects and proposals are being accepted soon for architects. A new Pelzer Restoration LLC is being set up as the entity that will get the tax credits on work done on the buildings. The properties are also being surveyed to create new lots.
The community building is currently not in the Pelzer Historic District and must be nominated to be included. Preservation South is also helping with that, according to the mayor.
Ragland said the budget reflects, “Major changes with the sale of the town’s water system” to Greenville Water, which should be finalized soon. The Town will receive more than $300,000 from the sale, however the revenue is currently not included in the budget and is not earmarked for any special projects or expenditures.
There is funding available for property purchases, facade grants and special projects that may come up during the budget year.
“There are a lot of new things in this budget,” Ragland said.
The total budget amounts to $1,906, 201. General Fund budget is $1,665,241, up from $926,081. Public Maintenance budget is $93,960, down from $330,800. Hospitality Tax Funding in the new budget amounts to $147,000.
General Fund Revenues
The General Fund includes increased revenues with an additional $25,000 coming in from the Duke Energy franchise fee, $98,000 (up from $73,000); a $3,000 increase in rental income on 100 Courtney St. (to $6,000), $33,000 from sale of equipment; ARPA funds $675,151; Transfer from the Cell Tower Bank Account $350,000; Transfer from Hospital bank account $7,000; Transfer from Community Building bank account $40,000; Transfer from Town Account $265,484; Planning Commission fees $1,500 and projected Business Licenses $80,000. Total revenue $1,665,241.
General Fund Expenses
The new budget reflects a decrease in salary and benefits from $61,206 to $45,228 due to the elimination of a part-time office position. Maintenance salaries and benefits, $72,936 (2 full time employees); Council salary, $4,800; Mayor salary, $2,400; Insurance (worker’s comp, property, vehicle and equipment) $35,500; Office expense $3,000; Travel/training/meals $2,000; Accountant fees, $13,000; Attorney, $12,000; IT $4,027; Public Safety-Sheriff’s Office $52,000; Advertising/Public Notices $2,000; Duke Energy Street Lights – increase from $25,000 to $33,000; Utilities $25,000; Vehicle/equipment repair $6,000; Vehicle/equipment fuel reduction from $8,000 to $3,000; Pelzer Planning Commission $4,500; Community Building renovation $566,400 ($150 per square foot with historical tax credits of $254,880); Historic renovation consulting/tax application, $29,736; Hospital roof repair (NA); Hospital renovation $600,000 ($200 per sq. foot with tax credits of $270,000); Historic renovation consulting/tax credit application, $31,500; Recodification of Ordinances $10,000; Revitalization $100,000 (property purchases, facade grants); Capital Projects/Reserve $7,212. Total expenses $1,665,241.
Public Maintenance
Revenue associated with the water department has been eliminated due to sale of water system to Greenville Water. Trash-GFL show an increase from $68,800 to $93,960 (rate increased from $9 to $13.50). Total revenue for Public Maintenance is $93,960.
Public Maintenance expenses reflect a reduction from $330,800 to $93,960, primarily because of expenses the town no longer has due to the sale of the water system to Greenville Water.
This includes elimination of SCDHEC fees of $3,700; elimination of QS1 Software expense, $14,000; elimination of Greenville Water Maintenance, $24,000; elimination of SC Rural Water Association membership fee, $950; elimination of SUEZ Utility Service fee, $8,881; elimination of parts/Supplies/Maintenance for Water, $10,000; elimination of the water contract agreement with Greenville Water, $50,000; Greenville Water monthly consumption, $56,000; and Greenville Water samples $2,400. All of these items are now budgeted at $0.
The only expenses that remain for the department is $500 for uniforms, the Sanitation Contract with GFL expense amounts to $78,696 (up from $69,000 and Greenville Water billing for the Town’s trash fee which will cost $3,688 (53 cents monthly based on 580 customers).
Total Expense for Public Maintenance is $93,960, down from $330,800.
HOSPITALITY
The Town of Pelzer is expecting Hospitality Tax revenue of approximately $32,000. The budget includes a transfer from the fund balance in the account in the amount of $100,000 and State and County grants of $15,000, for a total of $147,000.
Budgeted Expenses include: Parks $71,000 (up from $10,000); Events $5,000, up from $3,000; and Special Projects $71,000, up from $4,000. The budget includes several line item categories that are not presently funding including Christmas Lights, Master Plan for Monkey Park, Hwy. 20 field and ballfields, Landscape Design and Implementaton for the Community Building and Paving for the Community Building.
