During their meeting Tuesday, Anderson County Council took a step forward on a one percent sales tax to provide funding for road improvements, approved a GO Bond for Courthouse improvements and approved resolutions honoring two local residents.
Council approved second reading on an ordinance for a transportation sales and use tax for Anderson County, subject to referendum approval by voters next year.
The proposed sales tax will be subject to a voter referendum in November 2024 and provides for a sales tax, similar to the State sales tax, over a seven year period. The sales tax would begin May 1, 2025 and be in effect until April 20, 2032. As proposed the tax would include groceries. District 7 Councilmember Cindy Wilson said she would like to see an exemption for groceries.
The new sales tax would raise $366 million to be used solely for improvements to highways, roads, streets, intersections and bridges within Anderson County.
The ordinance provides for two separate ballot questions for voters: First would be approval of the sales tax for seven years for road improvements. Second would be approval of a $15 milion general obligation bond, secured by the sales tax, which would allow the County to begin work as soon as possible. There is a one year lag from when the sales tax is passed until the county receives any significant revenue from the sales tax.
Twenty six of South Carolina’s 46 counties currently have a sales tax for capital improvements.
District 6 Councilmember Jimmy Davis pointed out that a number of counties in the state have a similar tax and voters in Spartanburg recently re-upped their tax for road improvements.
Davis also said that the State gas tax is only used for State roads and the County benefits very little from the State gas tax.
A public hearing and third reading will be scheduled for January, 2024.
County Council District 7 representative Cindy Wilson presented a resolution honoring Dianne Chastain Lollis for her involvement in the community and George W. Martin for 50 years in the SC auction industry.
The T. L. Hanna Band was also recognized for their recent state championship.
Lee Benson of Benson Sculpture LLC presented a concept for a proposed Veterans Memorial. Benson Sculpture is working with the Veterans Memorial Committee on the project. They have provided design for projects all over the country and world, Benson said.
Two concepts selected by the committee were presented and will be combined into a final design. According to Benson, the designs are “a new concept to revitalize the Veterans memorial idea.” Details for a contract for the design services will be worked out between Anderson County and the committee.
Benson, himself a Veteran, said “It is a tremendous honor for our family to come up with a design to honor Veterans of Anderson County and Veterans of South Carolina.”
Council tabled third reading on a special source credit agreement for Lake Hartwell Development Group, LLC doing business as The Shores of Asbury. The agreement allows certain special source credits for investment in related infrastructure.
An amendment to enlarge a joint county industrial business park for Anderson and Greenville Counties to include Lake Hartwell Development Group LLC (The Shores of Asbury) was also tabled.
Chairman Tommy Dunn said the final vote on the two issues will be held at the January meeting to allow time to advertise a public hearing and for people to look at it.
One person spoke in favor or leaving rent fees for the Lake Harwell Development group as they were originally presented.
Countil approved third reading on a fee in lieu of tax agreement for Pro Fab Manufacturing LLC and expansion of a multi-county business park for “Project Asteroid”. According to Economic Development head Burriss Nelson, the family owned manufacturer will have hourly pay of $30, create 20 new jobs with an annual payroll of $1.3 million.
Council approved a fee in lieu of tax agreement for APG Colors and Additives, LLC and Green Lantern LLC for “Project Colorful”. The plastic specialty coloring facility plans a $6.1 million investment, resulting in 24 new jobs at an average pay of $28.8/hour. The company is located in Council District 7.
Council approved an ordinance to lease property located at 731 Michelin Boulevard to D&S Enterprises of Anderson, LLC doing business as Heli-Plane Aviation. The company does aviation maintenance work at the Anderson County Airport
Council approved third reading on an ordinance to allow a right of way easement to Duke Energy Carolinas LLC on County owned property that is part of the new detention center site.
Council approved third reading on a fee in lieu of tax agreement for “Project White”. The company, which provides building materials and products, will bring 26 new jobs with hourly pay of $26.98/hr.
Council approved third reading to expand a joint county industrial and business park of Anderson and Greenville counties to include “Project White”.
No one spoke at any of the public hearings associated with each of the third reading votes.
Council approved second reading on an ordinance regarding sublease agreement for Lake Hartwell Development Group LLC (The Shores of Asbury) for the Asbury Park site on Lake Hartwell.
Council approved an update to the County Comprehensive Plan to comply with state law. Councilmember Wilson said the update is a five year update and a required 10 year update will be due in 2026.
Council approved second reading for the issuance and sale of an $8.3 million general obligation bond which will be used primarily for repairs to the old County Courthouse building. County Administrator Rusty Burns said another Bond is coming off and taxpayers will not see an increase in taxes related to the new GO bond.
No one spoke at public hearings held on each of the second reading issues.
Council approved second reading on a fee in lieu of tax agreement for “Project Chauga” and expansion of a multi-county business park made available to the company. The project represents a $4.9 million investment with 45 new jobs and average hourly pay of $20.5/hr.
Council approved a special source revenue credit for “Project Austin”. “Project Austin” is a family owned business in the Town of Williamston and represents a $5 million investment. (See Williamston Town Council story). The revenue credits will be applied against fee in lieu of tax payments. Councilmenber Wilson said she is glad the County can work with municipalities on incentives to help developers with large investment projects.
Council approved second reading to expand the 2010 joint county industrial and business park of Anderson and Greenville Counties to enlarge the park to include “Project Austin”.
Council approved second reading for an infrastructure credit agreement for “Project Trust” and the inclusion of the property in a multi-county park. The business plans to invest $4.6 million providing 60 new jobs at hourly pay of more that $20/hr.
There were no ordinace third readings held at the meeting.
A resolution was approved for an inducement agreement for “Project Turkey”. The agreement provides a fee in lieu of tax and certain credits against fee payment in reimbursement of incestment in qualified infrastructure. Councilman John Wright recused himself from the vote. The project is a spec building and land located at Exit 37. The new building will be approximately $13 million and will generate manufacturing opportunity for the County, according to Burriss Nelson. A similar spec building at the location was purchased and is in use, Nelson said.
An appointment to the First Steps organizaton was tabled due to lack of information about the recommended person.
Council approved six vehicle donations to various entities in the County. Included were an enclosed 20 ft. trailer to City Fire-Tech Rescue; a Ford F250 Diesel Work Body with safety lights to City of Belton; Rees Boat Trailer to City Fire-Tech Rescue; a Carolina Skiff to City Fire-Tech Rescue, a 2008 Nissan Xterra to Meals on Wheels and a 2010 Crown Victoria to Iva Police Department.
Requests for funding for Anderson Lights of Hope and Hejaz Shrine Circus were also funded from various Councilmember Special Recreation accounts.
