Ridge Notes
Ridgeway, South Carolina
August 2010, Issue 52
Revitalization, Responsibility, Relationships
School Openings
School begins in August for Fairfield County students. Fairfield County Schools open on Monday, August 16, 2010 and Richard Winn’s starting date is Thursday, August 12, 2010. There are two schools in the Ridgeway Community that would welcome our voluntary support, Geiger Elementary and Palmetto Montessori School.
School begins in August for Fairfield County students. Fairfield County Schools open on Monday, August 16, 2010 and Richard Winn’s starting date is Thursday, August 12, 2010. There are two schools in the Ridgeway Community that would welcome our voluntary support, Geiger Elementary and Palmetto Montessori School.
Ridgeway Reads
JavaNookBooks
Ridgeway Reads will be meeting on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 10:30 in the Cotton Yard Market. The August Book selections are as follows: The Postmistress by Susan Blake and The Wind in the Woods by Rose Senehi.
Cities Mean Business
Welcome to our newest business in town, Angel’s Corner Variety Store, operated by Grova Harris. The store located at 128 Palmer Street (down the walkway behind Rebecca’s Café) offers a variety of goods for young and old. Nelson Funeral Home, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Nelson, will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday, August 8, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. The funeral home is located at 230 N. Dogwood Avenue. We welcome this service to our community.
Welcome to our newest business in town, Angel’s Corner Variety Store, operated by Grova Harris. The store located at 128 Palmer Street (down the walkway behind Rebecca’s Café) offers a variety of goods for young and old. Nelson Funeral Home, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Nelson, will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday, August 8, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. The funeral home is located at 230 N. Dogwood Avenue. We welcome this service to our community.
Highlights from the Annual Municipal Association Conference
June 15-17, 2010, Charleston, S.C.
The Municipal Association of South Carolina is an organization that represents and supports the incorporated municipalities in South Carolina. The Town of Ridgeway is a member of this association. At the recent annual conference in July 2010 in Charleston, S.C. the following highlights from two sessions are noted: Is our state broke? Or is our system broke? Dr. Mike Fanning (Old English Consortium) shared that the tax system is broken and can be fixed through tax reforms. The General Assembly passed a bill creating the “South Carolina Tax Realignment Commission” known as TRAC. TRAC is a temporary and independent commission comprised of non-legislators. It is created to assess the effectiveness of the current tax structure and make recommended changes to the General Assembly by November, 2010 and dissolve January 1, 2011.
Why Do We Need Tax Reform?
Our current system of taxation is a hodgepodge – evolving from tax cuts and tax shifts over the past 20 years that has left the state with unstable/unreliable revenue sources.
• We have cut tax sources during the good years leaving us with insufficient resources during the down cycles.
• We’ve responded to the pressure of special interest groups.
• Our system does not support infrastructure development needed for the successful future operation of our state. It only supports the state’s need during the boom years.
Why Do We Need Tax Reform?
• We tax some goods and not others without any apparent reason!
• And it doesn’t stop! Our elders taught us that, when you look up & find yourself deep in a hole… the first thing you’ve got to do…is stop digging! (at least until you analyze how you got there…and come up with the best solution to get out of the hole!)
• Just this session, the General Assembly has introduced 19 new bills – giving new tax breaks to everything from animal husbandry to geothermal heat pump exemptions!
Fundamental Criteria of Tax Structure
1. It must be competitive. It cannot be viewed as one that discourages industries and people from coming to our state, living in our state, expanding business in our state, and investing in our state.
2. It must be adequate. It must support improvement of SC’s economic foundations:
o Educational and workforce quality systems
o Infructure
o Vibrant and growing communities
o Overall quality of life
June 15-17, 2010, Charleston, S.C.
The Municipal Association of South Carolina is an organization that represents and supports the incorporated municipalities in South Carolina. The Town of Ridgeway is a member of this association. At the recent annual conference in July 2010 in Charleston, S.C. the following highlights from two sessions are noted: Is our state broke? Or is our system broke? Dr. Mike Fanning (Old English Consortium) shared that the tax system is broken and can be fixed through tax reforms. The General Assembly passed a bill creating the “South Carolina Tax Realignment Commission” known as TRAC. TRAC is a temporary and independent commission comprised of non-legislators. It is created to assess the effectiveness of the current tax structure and make recommended changes to the General Assembly by November, 2010 and dissolve January 1, 2011.
Why Do We Need Tax Reform?
Our current system of taxation is a hodgepodge – evolving from tax cuts and tax shifts over the past 20 years that has left the state with unstable/unreliable revenue sources.
• We have cut tax sources during the good years leaving us with insufficient resources during the down cycles.
• We’ve responded to the pressure of special interest groups.
• Our system does not support infrastructure development needed for the successful future operation of our state. It only supports the state’s need during the boom years.
Why Do We Need Tax Reform?
• We tax some goods and not others without any apparent reason!
• And it doesn’t stop! Our elders taught us that, when you look up & find yourself deep in a hole… the first thing you’ve got to do…is stop digging! (at least until you analyze how you got there…and come up with the best solution to get out of the hole!)
• Just this session, the General Assembly has introduced 19 new bills – giving new tax breaks to everything from animal husbandry to geothermal heat pump exemptions!
Fundamental Criteria of Tax Structure
1. It must be competitive. It cannot be viewed as one that discourages industries and people from coming to our state, living in our state, expanding business in our state, and investing in our state.
2. It must be adequate. It must support improvement of SC’s economic foundations:
o Educational and workforce quality systems
o Infructure
o Vibrant and growing communities
o Overall quality of life
3. It must be equitable both horizontally and vertically. It must be perceived as fair. NO one segment should have advantage at the expense of others. (Palmetto Institute)
The best approach is to have a broad tax base with the lowest possible tax rates. This is not the way we are currently headed.
Fiscally Sustainable Revenue System
• A fiscally sustainable revenue system is a structure of revenue streams, spending obligations, and reserve funds that allow government to maintain an acceptable level of public services over the long term and through fluctuations in economic activity.
• A fiscally sustainable state revenue system will:
o Raise adequate revenue to pay desired services
o Raise revenue from a mix of sources while keeping tax rates low
o Increase revenue at a rate no less that population growth plus inflation
o Be prepared for unanticipated spending needs and revenue shortfalls
Saltman & Ulbrich, Strom Thurmond Institute
The best approach is to have a broad tax base with the lowest possible tax rates. This is not the way we are currently headed.
Fiscally Sustainable Revenue System
• A fiscally sustainable revenue system is a structure of revenue streams, spending obligations, and reserve funds that allow government to maintain an acceptable level of public services over the long term and through fluctuations in economic activity.
• A fiscally sustainable state revenue system will:
o Raise adequate revenue to pay desired services
o Raise revenue from a mix of sources while keeping tax rates low
o Increase revenue at a rate no less that population growth plus inflation
o Be prepared for unanticipated spending needs and revenue shortfalls
Saltman & Ulbrich, Strom Thurmond Institute
Six Clusters: Six Big Ideas for Economic Development
The State of South Carolina is putting the concept of clustering into action to grow the state’s economy. Using partnerships with chambers of commerce, the state department of commerce, cities and town, and economic development regional alliances, companies with similar products and services are collaborating on workforce needs, marketing strategies and recruiting complementary businesses. The six clusters are as follows: Agribusiness; Automotive; Creative; Nuclear; Recycling, and Tourism.
The State of South Carolina is putting the concept of clustering into action to grow the state’s economy. Using partnerships with chambers of commerce, the state department of commerce, cities and town, and economic development regional alliances, companies with similar products and services are collaborating on workforce needs, marketing strategies and recruiting complementary businesses. The six clusters are as follows: Agribusiness; Automotive; Creative; Nuclear; Recycling, and Tourism.
Ridgeway Acts of Kindness (R.A.K.)
Thank you to the leaders and members of our local churches in Ridgeway who participated in the “Back to School Prayer and Faith Walk” on July 25, 2010. The purpose of the walk was to ask blessings and protection of our school children, teachers, bus drivers, and administration as they begin another school year. Each school age student was also given a gift certificate to purchase school supplies.
Welcome New Residents!
We welcome the following newcomers to our community: Diane Ragsdale Campbell, Dennis Bright, Timothy Murray, George Funchess, Andrew George, Javar Martin, and Sylvia Waters.
Thank you to the leaders and members of our local churches in Ridgeway who participated in the “Back to School Prayer and Faith Walk” on July 25, 2010. The purpose of the walk was to ask blessings and protection of our school children, teachers, bus drivers, and administration as they begin another school year. Each school age student was also given a gift certificate to purchase school supplies.
Welcome New Residents!
We welcome the following newcomers to our community: Diane Ragsdale Campbell, Dennis Bright, Timothy Murray, George Funchess, Andrew George, Javar Martin, and Sylvia Waters.
Boards/Commissions/Committee Reports
At the August 12, 2010 meeting of Town Council, the Town Boards, Commissions and Committees will be making reports regarding their work and the Ridgeway Strategic Plan. The community will have an opportunity to give input regarding the plan at Town Meetings in September. Look for the dates in the next Ridge Notes.
At the August 12, 2010 meeting of Town Council, the Town Boards, Commissions and Committees will be making reports regarding their work and the Ridgeway Strategic Plan. The community will have an opportunity to give input regarding the plan at Town Meetings in September. Look for the dates in the next Ridge Notes.
Clean Yards = Good Neighbors
Just a reminder to keep your home and business property well manicured especially during the summer growing season. Every citizen has the right to live in a clean town by good and responsible neighbors. Ordinance 2-1008 declaring unsightly height of weeds and grass a nuisance in the Town of Ridgway is being enforced. Please review the enclosed copy of the ordinance.
Just a reminder to keep your home and business property well manicured especially during the summer growing season. Every citizen has the right to live in a clean town by good and responsible neighbors. Ordinance 2-1008 declaring unsightly height of weeds and grass a nuisance in the Town of Ridgway is being enforced. Please review the enclosed copy of the ordinance.
Central Midlands Council of Governments
Notice of Availability for Review and Public Comment
An All Natural Hazards Risk Assessment and Hazard Mitigation Plan
for the Central Midlands Region of South Carolina
An All Natural Hazards Risk Assessment and Hazard Mitigation Plan
for the Central Midlands Region of South Carolina
The staff of the Central Midlands Council of Governments seeks public comment and input on the update of the regional risk assessment and natural hazards mitigation plan. The public can access the draft plan update on the website of the Central Midlands COG at www.centralmidlands.org from February 12, 2010, to March 4th, 2010. Individuals seeking to comment on the draft plan update should submit their comments to Mr. Wayne Shuler at Central Midlands Council of Governments prior to the close of business on March 4th, 2010. (tele (803) 376-5390, email: wshuler@centralmidlands.org) The draft plan update details the nature of the most significant natural hazards threatening local governments in the region. It contains goals and objectives for many of the local governments in the region as well as mitigation measures to address prioritized natural hazards threatening those local governments. Adoption by resolution of the updated regional plan by the local governments will make them eligible for hazard mitigation grants. It will also involve the local government in more detailed record keeping on the occurrence and cost of natural hazard events as well as a process to update and revise the plan periodically The purpose of the plan update is to meet the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 to help make the local governments in the region more prepared for and resistant to the effects of natural hazards. For further information on the draft plan update please contact Mr. Wayne Shuler at the Central Midlands Council of Governments, 236 Stoneridge Drive, Columbia, SC, 29210. tele. (803) 376-5390. Email wshuler@centralmidlands.org
2010 MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH
CAROLINA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
CAROLINA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
The Association’s legislative agenda is focused on the three principles of promoting economic growth, enhancing a positive quality of life and encouraging local accountability and fiscal responsibility. These locally-driven principles support the state’s efforts to create jobs in the new knowledge economy. Bills on the agenda this year are tied to issues that directly affect municipalities’ ability to deliver services and provide amenities that residents, visitors and businesses demand.
Point of Sale
The point of sale provision, which puts property on the tax rolls at the fair market value at the point of sale, was first adopted with ACT 388, the property tax reform bill of 2006, H3272 would eliminate point of sale from the law. This would limit increases in fair market value of sold properties to 15 percent over five years at reassessment.
The point of sale provision, which puts property on the tax rolls at the fair market value at the point of sale, was first adopted with ACT 388, the property tax reform bill of 2006, H3272 would eliminate point of sale from the law. This would limit increases in fair market value of sold properties to 15 percent over five years at reassessment.
The Association opposes this bill reported out of the Senate Finance Committee at the end of the 2009 session because it shifts the tax burden to property owners in slower appreciating neighborhoods and limits local governments’ ability to provide services residents and businesses require. Bill: H3272
Municipal Finance Accountability
Two bills were introduced in 2009 related to municipal audits and other financial accountability issues. Last summer, the Municipal Association board of directors formed a task force to make recommendations on legislation that would trigger assistance by a state commission for cities and towns in financial distress. The task force recommendations will be added as an amendment to H3839. Bills: H3839, S699.
Two bills were introduced in 2009 related to municipal audits and other financial accountability issues. Last summer, the Municipal Association board of directors formed a task force to make recommendations on legislation that would trigger assistance by a state commission for cities and towns in financial distress. The task force recommendations will be added as an amendment to H3839. Bills: H3839, S699.
Annexation
Along with other stakeholders, the Association is involved in efforts to reach a compromise on reforming the state’s outdated annexation laws, Legislation allowing simplified annexation of enclaves is a top priority. The Association opposes several bills as currently written. Bills: H3253, H3074, H3774, S246, S247, S479.
Along with other stakeholders, the Association is involved in efforts to reach a compromise on reforming the state’s outdated annexation laws, Legislation allowing simplified annexation of enclaves is a top priority. The Association opposes several bills as currently written. Bills: H3253, H3074, H3774, S246, S247, S479.
Cuts to the Local Government Fund
Last session, the General Assembly suspended the law that kept legislators from cutting the Local Government Fund below previous levels. During the 2010 session the Association will oppose any attempts to cut the Local Government Fund levels further.
Last session, the General Assembly suspended the law that kept legislators from cutting the Local Government Fund below previous levels. During the 2010 session the Association will oppose any attempts to cut the Local Government Fund levels further.
Changes to business license fee structure
Legislators introduced several bills in 2009 affecting how business license fees are collected. The Association will continue to oppose any legislation that impedes municipalities’ ability to fairly impose and administer local business license taxes. Bills: H3243, H3243, S349
Legislators introduced several bills in 2009 affecting how business license fees are collected. The Association will continue to oppose any legislation that impedes municipalities’ ability to fairly impose and administer local business license taxes. Bills: H3243, H3243, S349
Capital project sales tax
There is a bill in a Senate committee that refers to the capital project sales tax. Association staff will work with senators to amend the bill to include specific language regarding a capital project sales tax for municipalities. Bill: S346
There is a bill in a Senate committee that refers to the capital project sales tax. Association staff will work with senators to amend the bill to include specific language regarding a capital project sales tax for municipalities. Bill: S346
Expungement
A bill passed in 2009 requiring expungement of records when a defendant is found not guilty, charges were dismissed or the prosecutor decides not to pursue charges. As an unintended consequence, the bill included expunging traffic tickets and Department of Natural Resources offenses. The Association supports amending this law by excluding traffic tickets and DNR offenses from current expungement laws. Bill: H4205
A bill passed in 2009 requiring expungement of records when a defendant is found not guilty, charges were dismissed or the prosecutor decides not to pursue charges. As an unintended consequence, the bill included expunging traffic tickets and Department of Natural Resources offenses. The Association supports amending this law by excluding traffic tickets and DNR offenses from current expungement laws. Bill: H4205
Crime reduction
Several bills were introduced to protect residents from criminal activity. The Association will work with local law enforcement officials on these bills to strengthen their ability to protect residents of cities and towns. Bills: S191 (SC Reduction of Recidivism Act), S6 (bail conditions after release from incarceration).
Several bills were introduced to protect residents from criminal activity. The Association will work with local law enforcement officials on these bills to strengthen their ability to protect residents of cities and towns. Bills: S191 (SC Reduction of Recidivism Act), S6 (bail conditions after release from incarceration).
Local accommodations and hospitality tax use for county operation
The Association supports the effort to allow certain counties that meet specific requirements to use accommodations and hospitality tax revenue for operations and maintenance of tourism-related projects. Bill: S332
The Association supports the effort to allow certain counties that meet specific requirements to use accommodations and hospitality tax revenue for operations and maintenance of tourism-related projects. Bill: S332
Accommodations and hospitality taxes as security for revenue bonds
The Association supported a bill last year to allow cities and towns to pledge accommodations and hospitality taxes as security for revenue bonds. The bill is in conference committee awaiting final action pending acceptance of a free conference report that the Association supports. Bill: S304
The Association supported a bill last year to allow cities and towns to pledge accommodations and hospitality taxes as security for revenue bonds. The bill is in conference committee awaiting final action pending acceptance of a free conference report that the Association supports. Bill: S304
For additional information and other issues supported by the Association, visit www.masc.sc.
