Although thankful for local improvements, Whittaker Heights residents appealed to Orangeburg County Council on Monday for completion of projects started with first round of the one-penny capital sales tax money in 1998.
Andrew Johnson, president of the Concerned Citizens of Whittaker Heights Community, told council that the neighborhood was pleased with lighting in the special tax district, as well as street resurfacing, additional fire hydrants, water and wastewater improvements and sidewalks.
“However, some are not complete,” Johnson said. “We are here to solicit your support.”
In addition to the completion of ongoing projects, the group requested 16 new street lights and the installation of a second sidewalk.
After the session, County Administrator Bill Clark explained that most of the million-dollar projects cited by Johnson are being constructed in phases.
“Funds were not adequate to contract the whole project and we’re waiting for money from the second phase,” he said. “Some are combined with contracts in the second phase.”
An example, Clark said, is the $2 million designated for sewer lines. All of that money has been spent. The project, in the end, will cost between $3.5 million and $4 million.
That first special-purpose penny tax brought in about $54 million for 116 designated projects. In 2004, voters approved a seven-year continuation of the penny tax -- this one projected to bring in $71 million for 108 projects countywide.
In other business, council received an update on the state legislative session from Robert Croom, the S.C. Association of Counties’ assistant director of Legal and Legislative Affairs.
Praising the cooperative effort of the local delegation, Croom outlined recent legislative measures that affected county governments. The local government fund or state revenue sharing was fully funded, he said, while bills that would have set local spending caps and required a costly online spending registry were defeated.
A key upcoming issue, Croom said, is an immigration act that will affect counties’ hiring practices.
In addition, Croom noted the services the Association of Counties provides, including set-off debt collection.
In other business, council:
* As recommended by the Finance Committee, approved a three-year, $184,130 proposal from the local accounting firm of McGregor and Co. to perform the external audits.
* After a public hearing, gave second reading to an ordinance adopting the 2007 land-use element, as recommended by the Public Services and Planning Committee.
According to the administrator, state law requires an update every five years of the county’s land-use plan. Most of the changes between the old and the amended ordinance are statistical.
* Gave final third reading to an ordinance establishing specifications that are consistent with state standards for roads and drainage.
* Extended the $1 annual lease arrangement with CASA Family Systems for 10 years. The county has provided the shelter facility for many years.
* Cancelled the Aug. 4 session of council, which comes one day following the S.C. Association of Counties’ annual conference. The next regularly scheduled session of council will be held Aug. 18.
* Accepted Quest Field Drive Extension near North into the county’s system of access road maintenance.
* In closed, executive session, discussed an economic development matter concerning two projects.
T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by calling 803-533-5545.