Several Orangeburg County Council members say the process of identifying capital sales tax projects could be modified and improved even as planning for an anticipated third referendum is being considered.

During an afternoon council retreat held last month, Orangeburg County Administrator Bill Clark said members could begin looking at November 2010 for county voters to consider a continuation of the penny sales tax.

Councilman Harry Wimberly said he feels the date is not set in stone, but he says the consensus among council would favor passing an ordinance authorizing a third tax referendum.

"I have asked about the possibility of getting a cent and a half or two, but I was told no," Wimberly said. "The law is very strict on how this money can be used.

"We have gone through a learning process on the penny sales tax," he said. "We didn't have nearly the insight the first time the tax was approved (1998), although it was better the second time out (2004). I think we will have a much better idea on how much it will cost during a third referendum because a number of previous projects got under-budgeted. With more planning, we can tweak the process to work even better than in the past."

Council Chairman Johnnie Wright says both phases of the capital-improvement penny tax have been a boon for Orangeburg County.

"The success lies in the infrastructure advantages that we would not have been able to accomplish with other taxes," Wright said. "Some have said they can't see the advantage given the current economic climate, but we have been able to lay the groundwork for more economic development. When the economy rebounds, we will be able to take full advantage."

Council Vice Chairman Janie Cooper says Orangeburg would have been years behind without the capital sales tax.

"We've done a good job with the list of projects for the first and second penny," Cooper said. "However, prices are going up all the time, so that's a big reason why we have not been able to complete some projects yet.

"I'm going to complete the projects identified in previous referendums that weren't finished," she said. "That would be my position for my district and what I would want to do for the county in general. I really haven't looked into how the penny tax program can be improved."

Councilman Johnny Ravenell says the penny sales tax has greatly impacted recreation projects, especially in his district.

"Next to Lake Marion High School, we have a $2 million facility for recreation that wouldn't have been done without the tax," Ravenell said. "I'd like to see more recreation in my district and in the county as a whole."

The capital sales tax law stipulates that council is authorized to create a six-member commission to consider proposals for funding capital projects. Three members are appointed by council and three by the municipalities. The ad hoc commission must also formulate the referendum question to put before voters.

Wright says he encourages County Council to begin planning the next round of capital projects sooner rather than later.

"We would probably try to come together as a team, some council members and municipalities, and look at things, getting as much input as possible," Wright said. "We mentioned that briefly in one of our meetings, and we don't want to wait to the ninth hour. Hopefully we will start ahead of time and get on top of it.

"In the next round, I'd like to ask council to consider using the capital funds more for projects having to do with direct economic development infrastructure," he said. "That's something we could possibly look at as a group."

When asked what the county might do to block questionable projects out of the mix, such as the paving of Novice Pond Road that leads to one residence, Wimberly said getting public input is one possibility.

"I think there were plans for (Novice Road) at the time that just did not happen. Even at best, sometimes they slip through the cracks, and that may have happened a couple of times," Wimberly said. "Our citizens need to be aware of the process. It may not be a bad idea for council to hold a public hearing on this to see what they want. Certainly a lot of things have come to my attention that should have been done."

Wright says he thinks there are already criteria the county must follow in determining what roads can be included for penny sales tax improvements.

"I always ask Public Works what it feels are the best candidates for road projects," Wright said. "Council as a whole will make sure that the next set of roads will fit the criteria and advise staff to ensure they follow guidelines."

T&D Staff Writer Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at psarata@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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