During their meeting Tuesday, West Pelzer Town Council heard a presentation on the annual audit and discussed homestead exemptions for residents.
Town Clerk Paula Payton reported that additional signage has been installed to help identify three dead-end streets located in West Pelzer. The streets are Spring Street, Evans Street and Dianne Avenue.
Payton said Greenville Water representatives will be at the March 11 meeting of Council to give an update on the water system.
The Town will begin the 2025-26 budget planning process in February and a workshop with Council will be held in March.
Re-Wa is planning a ribbon cutting ceremony for an infrastructure improvement project for Pelzer and West Pelzer. Information about the project will be presented at the ceremony which is scheduled for 10 am, Feb. 21 at the Pelzer Gym.
Payton reminded the community that the O’Dell Community and Entrepreneur Center located behind Town Hall offers free co-work space and is open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm.
The Senior Place – Meals on Wheels offers food and activities in the facility Mon. through Fri. from 10 am to 2 pm. Activities are free and donations are accepted.
West Pelzer Police Chief Zachary Owen reported that for October, the department had 177 calls for service, 32 traffic stops, 28 tickets, 14 warnings, 16 reports written, and 242 citizen contacts.
CPA Jason White presented information on the Town’s annual audit. White said West Pelzer received an “Unmodified” opinion from auditors, “Which is the best you can get.”
White said the Town’s financial statements were in order and in compliance.
“You have a very healthy net position for a town the size of West Pelzer,” he said.
The Town has a net position of approximately $1.1 million, a decrease of $32,000 from last year, according to White.
He said the utility system being sold last year resulted in cash on hand for the town.
Council approved a resolution naming Scott Blaser and Jeff Turner to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
There was discussion of removing town taxes for qualifying Homestead Exemption Applicants.
During the discussion, Mayor Jim Riddle said he believes “all our councilmembers are concerned with the burden of tax increases”.
He said the purpose of the tax increase that was approved in the budget process in June was to stabilize the police department.
Town Clerk Payton said she had discussed the issue with Anderson County Auditor John Benca and provided information basically stating that the state does not allow it. “We don’t have the authority,” she said. “We can’t abate a tax for a certain demographic.”
She said that the State Homestead Exemption applies to 90 homes in West Pelzer and that the Town receives reimbursement from the State for those homes. “The Homestead Exemption is set by state law”.
She said there is a proposed state bill which would increase the amount of the exemption from $50,000 to $100,000 which the Town plans to support.
Following the discussion, Council unanimously approved a resolution to support the General State Bill H.3511 to increase the amount allowed by the homestead exemption.
Mayor Riddle said that House District 9 Representative Blake Sanders is a co-sponsor of the bill.
During Council comments, Councilman Tim Williams had questions about a police cruiser.
Chief Owen said that the Town has four operational police vehicles. One is a spare, he said.
Owen said one of the vehicles had been under repair for several months and was just returned to service. One of the town’s police officers had problems with a personal vehicle this week and has been using the spare vehicle, Chief Owen said.
Councilman Williams also had questions about the monthly financials, citing $31,000 spent on Oct. and Nov. for beautification and maintenance. Clerk Payton responded that the line item was spent by the town for beautification and maintenance and was reimbursed through a grant after the funds were spent. Williams also asked about financial reports. Payton said the Town has a new software program and certain reports that Council would like to see could be discussed in an upcoming budget worksession.
Mayor Riddle said that a new business called Birdies on Main will open on Feb. 17. He said the owner of the “upscale consignment” shop came up with the name after finding out that West Pelzer is a bird sanctuary.
Council then went into executive session to discuss “legal/contractural matters”.
