SWANSEA -- The 2008 budget totaling approximately $1.3 million was approved by Swansea Town Council after the second reading during the council's February meeting.

According to the budget outline, major sources of revenue include $361,830.65 from sales of water, $260,000 from court fines and forfeitures, $113,966.28 from sewer fees, $172,000 from various tax sources and approximately $99,000 from miscellaneous water department fees.

Other major sources of revenue include $130,000 from insurance and Telecom/Municipal Association revenue, $45,000 from electric and cable franchise fees and $34,000 from the sale of business licenses.

The highest expenditures proposed in the new budget are $426,030.04 for the police department and $539,976.58 for water and sewer services.

Legal, administrative and council expenditures are expected to be about $179,000. An increase in council salaries was not proposed this year.

Also during the meeting, Mayor Ray Spires reported that Branch Banking and Trust was selected to provide the loan for the recently approved Rural Water Administration projects. Twelve separate projects are proposed. They include the rehabilitation of the existing Eighth Street lift station, the purchase of emergency generators and touch-read water meters and the extension of water and sewer services to several areas.

Spires also reported that an organizational meeting was held to establish a Crime Watch Zone in Councilwoman Butler's district.

"We got a good response and a lot of enthusiasm from the residents," he said. "In a couple of weeks, we will meet again."

Similar meetings for residents in the other council districts will be scheduled in the near future, the mayor added.

In addition, Spires reported that the paperwork for the S.C. Department of Transportation enhancement grant to fund the construction of a park at the corner of Second and Church Streets will have to be resubmitted.

"We have to shrink the size of the fountain in the park and redo the estimate," he said. "Then we should get the final blessing from the Department of Transportation and go ahead with the project."

In other business:

* Prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting, a public hearing was held for discussion on the 2008 budget. Concerns were expressed over the legality of water rate increases. Town engineer Joel Wood said the water rates cannot be below a certain level in order for the town to qualify for Rural Water Commission grants and loans. Spires added that businesses and industry could not be attracted to locate in the area until the proper water and sewer services are available. As new businesses move in, he said, tax revenues would increase and could be used to level off water rate increases. Spires pointed out that this process takes time and is not an immediate solution.

* Police Chief Clif Hayes noted there had been five motor vehicle collisions but three were on private property. "Apparently, our work on Highway 321 has paid off," he said. Hayes' report included 103 citations issued, 19 arrests, 43 reports filed and 10 warrants.

The next council work session will be at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 25. The mayor reminded everyone to be aware of the time change.

T&D Correspondent Loretta Demko can be reached by e-mail at eeshtenem@yahoo.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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