Greenville County Council passes new budget 8-4, will raise taxes. What to know about the vote.
At the Tuesday, July 19, Greenville County Council meeting, council passed the county’s 2024-2025 budget in its third and final reading, adopted the Augusta Road Corridor Strategic plan and celebrated two retirements of longtime employees.
Council adopted a $785 million budget at Tuesday’s meeting, which will raise county taxes by $28 for every $100,000 in value. Anyone qualifying for the Homestead Act will see an increase by $21. The increase comes due to the growth of Greenville and continued inflation.
Councilman Rick Bradley attempted to make a motion to delay the vote until 2025, which failed by an 8 to 4 vote.
In favor of delaying the vote were councilmembers Steve Shaw (District 20), Stan Tzouvelekas (District 22), Bradley (District 26) and Benton Blount (District 19.)
Opposed were Dan Tripp (District 28), Liz Seman (District 24), Butch Kirven (District 27), Joey Russo (District 17), Michael Barnes (District 18), Chris Harrison (District 21), Alan Mitchell (District 23) and Ennis Fant (District 25).
“It’s crucial that we exercise prudent financial responsibility,” Bradley said.
Tzouvelekas voiced concerns about The Greenville Housing Authority’s CEO, Shawn Williams, being indicted in a Georgia RICO case. More than $3 million is allocated for affordable housing from the special revenue fund.
He also said the budget does not include enough funding for road construction and improvements.
The council passed the budget 8 to 4 with the vote breaking down the same as motion to delay the vote until 2025.
The next council meeting will occur Aug. 15 at the new county office complex.
Here are 5 more things you need to know from the latest Greenville County Council meeting:
Augusta Road Corridor plan adopted
The Augusta Road Corridor Strategic Plan was adopted to the Greenville County Comprehensive Plan.
It intends to “reclaim its status as the signature gateway into the City of Greenville and as a center of urban life and community pride for its neighbors," according to the plan's draft.
A conceptual masterplan maps out efforts to invigorate the area. For example, at the Ramsey Family Library off Augusta Road, the county plans to incorporate an outdoor space on county-owned property in front of the library.
Since Bushy Creek travels along I-85 within the corridor, the county wants to incorporate a new leg to the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which would connect it to Connestee Nature Preserve.
A mobility hub was also recommended. This hub could provide different stations for a bus transfer for Greenlink routes along with electric vehicle charging stations and public restrooms.
Steve Shaw wants a millage 'opt-out ordinance'
Councilmember Steve Shaw introduced an ordinance to allow Greenville County taxpayers a chance to opt-out of “non-core” county government objectives.
The ordinance states non-core function millages would include: libraries, museums, affordable housing, public transportation and participation in conservation easements through the Historic and Natural Resources Trust.
Greenville County Attorney Mark Tollison clarified in the meeting this would interfere with Article X in the South Carolina Constitution, which requires all taxes to be uniform.
The ordinance was sent to the finance committee.
Ordinance to restrict community septic systems
An ordinance introduced by Councilor Ennis Fant would update regulations concerning the use of community septic systems or wastewater systems serving more than one piece of deeded property.
The amendment to the Greenville County Land Development Regulations would disallow subdivisions using community septic systems, which would also extend to developments and design review districts.
If a proposed subdivision could not be connected to a public sewer system, the amendment would also require each lot to obtain a permit for an individual septic system from SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) before the county would issue a building permit.
Two long-term Greenville County employees retire
Greenville County Council acknowledged John Hansley and Paul Wickensimer, two Greenville County employees as they retire.
Hansley, employed by the county since 1977, began his career through the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA), which teaches people who want to work in local government. He served as director of finance and administrative services, assistant county administrator and deputy county administrator.
In 2001, Wickensimer was appointed clerk of court by then-Gov. James H. Hodges, and was later re-elected to five additional terms.
More than 500 acres conserved
Council approved the Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources (HNRT) to grant The Nature Conservancy $350,000 for a conservation easement on more than 500 acres of northern Greenville County land.
The property acts as grounds for Camp Awanita, a Christian camp and retreat center.
Savannah Moss covers Greenville County government. Reach her via email at smoss@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Greenville County Council passes new budget 8-4, will raise taxes
