Fees Fall

Proposed Fees Die ... Again

  For the second time in nine days, County Council’s attempt to give second reading to ordinances adding fees failed.
  At a called meeting Wed., Sept. 18, Council voted 4-1 against passage of both ordinances. Voting against both were Chairman Derrick Jones, and Councilmen Frank Daniel, Wayne Grice, and Justin Anderson. Councilman Jones Butler voted in favor.
  At the regular Council meeting on Mon., Sept. 9, both ordinances failed to pass due to lack of a second to the motions.
  Council held a budget work session on Mon., Sept. 16, and after hearing from County Attorney Chris Spradley, they voted to once again give second reading to the ordinances at a called meeting set for 5:30 p.m.
  Word spread and the Council Chambers was  packed, just as it was at the regular meeting.
  Chairman Jones asked Spradley to explain what he shared with Council on Monday.
  Spradley said Saluda County is in it dire financial situation due to the fact Councils have been borrowing from the reserve fund to balance the budgets since 2008.
  Spradley used a chart to show the following totals: 2008 - $161, 689; 2009 - $160,678; 2010 - $589,765; 2011 - $583,720; 2012 - $230,079; 2013 - $378,211; 2014 - $223,897; 2015 - $428, 198; 2017 - 634,883; 2108 - $922,921; 2019 - $1,018,420; 2020 - $1,027, 822.
  The county only has $2.6 million remaining in the reserve fund.
  Spradley said if the county budget next year is out of balance like the previous years, then the county will have to borrow money, and, obviously, pay back the loan with interest.
  Spradley said without the proposed fees, the county would have to eliminate 22.6 positions out of 146 employees.
  The $50 fee would be put on 9300 lots with structures. The money would go toward EMS and Law Enforcement.
  The $20 fee would be put on 20,200 licensed vehicles. That money would go to county roads.
  Some of the same concerns were expressed from those present that were expressed at the meeting nine days earlier.
  One man said he was on a fixed income, lived in a trailer and had three vehicles.
  “It will cost you $110,” Spadley said.
  “Where is that coming from?,” the manyasked.
  Others questioned why the State is forcing the county to build a new jail, and why is has to be a 100-cell jail when the county doesn’t exceed the current 40-cell capacity.
  Jail Administrator Janice Ergle said the State has cited substandard conditions at the current jail that could set the county up for litigation.
  Spradley said if the State closes the jail, then the county would have to pay other counties to house local prisoners.
  The county will have to borrow money to build the new jail and the current situation with using reserve fund money makes the county a lending risk, he said.
  Spradley answered a rumor that the county taking over EMS was causing a shortfall in funds. He said the expense for the county running the EMS is only $37,000 higher that when the nursing home ran the EMS, through county funding contributions.
  Many said the county should balance the budget first, before considering imposing fees.
  Some asked why the county granted a “fee in lieu of property taxes” to new businesses and industries. Spradley said that is what the State Department of Commerce recommends.
  Many of the comments were heated.
  Following Spradley’s presentation, Chairman Jones asked for a motion and second on the two ordinances. Unlike at the Sept. 9 meeting, there were seconds this time.
  When it came time to vote, both measures failed by a 4-1 vote.
  Council began meeting with department heads later in the week to discuss cutting staff.

Saluda pastor’s gun buy-back
program a wild success

  SALUDA – Almost two weeks after her church’s gun buy-back program, the Rev. Hillary Taylor is still elated with the results.
  “We bought back 19 guns in total,” said Rev. Taylor, pastor of Bethany and Zoar United Methodist churches in Saluda. “If we had bought only 10 guns, I would have been ecstatic.”
  Nine of the purchased guns came from persons living somewhere other than Saluda.
  “Individuals from Columbia to Inman who read about our program were so impressed that they drove all the way to Saluda to turn them in,” Rev. Taylor said. “The reasons for turning them over were as diverse as the people who brought them.”
  At the Sept. 7 “no-questions-asked” event, people who turned in guns received Walmart gift cards valued at $100-$200, depending on the type of gun.
  “We passed out a total of $2,100 in Walmart gift cards,” Rev. Taylor said. “We will be saving remaining cards for another gun buy-back program next year. This could not have been accomplished without many individuals and churches who donated to this project.”
  Following most gun buy-back events, the purchased weapons are destroyed. In this effort, however, the guns will be disabled and repurposed in the Saluda community as gardening tools or artwork – almost literally playing out Isaiah 2:4: “...they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
  “We hope the next event will be more comprehensive in terms of mental health first aid,” Rev. Taylor said. “This is a topic many people are excited about, and I look forward to connecting churches and local businesses with the needs of the Saluda community in the future.”
  Rev. Taylor already has been in communication with another church and a non-profit organization interested in planning similar gun buy-back programs in other rural areas of South Carolina. An avid hunter and gun-owner herself, she hopes events like these will raise awareness about the rising suicide rates in South Carolina and ways to promote firearm safety.

Controversial Fees

BIG CROWD - The County Council Chambers was packed Mon., Sept. 9, with most in attendance there to oppose two fees proposed by County Council. The fees were defeated when the motion on both did not get seconds. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

Controversial County Fees
Die For Lack Of A Second

  Saluda County Council’s idea to raise funds by imposing fees on vehicles and buildings died from the lack of a second to a motion Mon., Sept. 9, before a packed house in Council Chambers.
  Following public hearings in which no one spoke in favor of the fees, Vice-Chairman Frank Daniels, presiding in the absence of Chairman Derrick Jones, asked for a motion to give second reading to both ordinances. In both cases, Councilman Jones Butler made the motion, but neither Councilmen Wayne Grice nor Justin Anderson seconded, thus the motion died.
  One ordinance was called a “Uniform Service Charge for Public Safety in Saluda County, South Carolina.”
  If passed the ordinance would impose a $50 fee on the 9800 taxable structures in the county. It would be used to partially fund the fire departments, EMS and Sheriff’s Office.
  The other ordinance, “A Uniform Service Charge for Motorized Vehicle Users on the County Roads of Saluda County, South Carolina,” would impose a $20 fee on every licensed vehicle. The money raised would go toward improving roads and streets.
  In the public hearing, many expressed the hardships faced by the many citizens on fixed incomes if the fees were imposed. They said those who rent properties can pass the fees on to the renters, but those who own their houses must absorb the costs.
  Other said the fees were nothing more than a tax increase, and one asked where the one percent sales tax increase was going.
  One citizen asked why the county was going to build a 100-cell jail, when it has never exceeded its current 40-cell capacity, and suggested Council should balance the budget, rather than relying on reserve funds.
 Another suggested the County should dissolved into surrounding counties, because Saluda County is “dead in the water.”
  The other public hearing was on an ordinance providing for an installment plan of finance for certain capital projects and equipment; authorizing the issuance of not exceeding, in the aggregate, the county’s constitutional bonded debt limit in general obligation bonds, in one or more series, tax-exempt or taxable to acquire undivided interests in such capitol projects and equipment, and other related matters.
  Attorney Ray Jones said financing for the new detention center would be funded through a non-profit corporation, and the county would not have to increase millage or use the eight percent bonded indebtedness limit.
  Jack Atkinson, who spoke on all three public hearings, said this was a “terrible idea.”
  When this motion came to a vote, it passed with Butler, Daniel and Grice voting in favor and Anderson voting against.
    Theo L. Lane from Duke Energy, who said he owned a house in Saluda County, presented a grant check for the OnPoint EMS Network. (See the related story.)
  Mac McNeil of the U.S. Census Bureau asked the county’s help in promoting the 2020 Census which will begin April 1 next year. McNeil said Saluda County had 73 percent participation in 2010. One new innovation with the 2020 Census is citizens can fill out census forms online.
  Council gave third and final reading to an ordinance to renew the contract of Saluda Sky Aviation, LLC, as the fixed base operator at the Saluda County Airport.
  The Fiscal Year 2019-2020 millage for the county and School District One was approved.
  The total council millage, including operating, special millage and bonds is 155.80. The millage last year was 151.57.
  The school millage is 185.80, including operating and bonds. The total last year was 192.87.
  Both millage totals are proposed. Millage is set by the Auditor and Treasurer.
  At the recommendation of Emergency Management Director Josh Morton, Council approved a new Emergency Operations Plan. The previous plan was 500-pages long. The new one is only 35.
  Council also approved Morton’s recommendation to  decommission the tornado siren system in the county. Morton said keeping the sirens up is cost prohibitive.
  In place of the sirens, the county will contract with OnSolve to provide mass emergency communication to the citizens by cell phone, land line or email. The citizens will have to sign-up for the program. The money budgeted for the sirens will be used for the communication program.
  Morton reported the county now has an overall ISO rating of five, which should create a cost saving to many citizens on their homeowners insurance.
  The meeting was the first for new District 2 Councilman Grice. Daniel presented a plaque of appreciation to  Grice’s predecessor D.J. Miller, who had to resign his position when he moved to a new home, located out of District 2.

PRESENTATION - Pictured from left to right: Theo Lane, Daniel Patterson, and Jacob Starnes. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

Duke Energy Award To
On Point Ems Network

  Recently, On Point EMS Network was presented a check for $2,500 from Duke Energy Manager for Government and Community Relations, Theo Lane.
  Daniel Patterson, president of On Point, received the check with the proceeds to go toward the purchase of a transport gurney for emergency medical services in the Saluda County area. The gurney will attach to the John Deere Gator given to EMS by the Charlie Foundation in March; the total cost of the bed being $3,265.
  Lane’s presentation marks the culmination of Duke Energy’s desire to aid the county in some way during Don Hancock’s tenure as chairman of county council until 2017, upon his passing.   He said, “Don was a great friend to me and we were working together on several ideas for Saluda County at the time he became ill. When I was made aware of the Gator, it was apparent the addition of the gurney was necessary to assure safe transport of victims that ambulances could not reach. It is my hope this donation by Duke Energy will accomplish that goal, and honor Don Hancock and his legacy of love for Saluda County.”
  On Point EMS Network is a 501(c)3 (nonprofit) organization dedicated to the support of emergency medical services in the Saluda County area. Its board members are Patterson as president; Jacob Schumpert, vice president; Brandy Cromley, secretary; Gwen C. Shealy, treasurer; and Ricky Bailey.  
  This organization depends solely on donations, fund-raisers, and grants. If anyone would like to make a tax-deductible contribution, the mailing address is On Point EMS Network, 275 Grigsby Circle, Saluda, SC 29138.

 
 
 

Convicted For Threats

Suspect Convicted For Threatening
The Life Of A Public Official

  Jeffrey James Williams, age 49 of Saluda, was convicted of Threatening the Life of a Public Official by a Saluda County jury this week and was sentenced to the maximum sentence of five (5) years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. The sentence was imposed by Chief Administrative Judge Frank R. Addy, Jr., following the jury trial. 
  On August 10, 2018, Williams called the Saluda County Magistrate’s Office and asked to leave a message for the Chief Magistrate Judge. Williams exclaimed that he wanted to “bury her, dig her back up, paint her toenails, and have sex with her.” During the phone call, Williams did not identify himself as the caller.
 Captain Josh Price and Lieutenant Stephen Byrd with the Saluda County Sherriff’s Office handled the investigation of this case and determined that Williams was possibly associated with the phone number used to make the threats by using a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s (SLED) database. Investigators then apprehended Williams at his residence just hours after the call was made and located the phone in his pocket. During the trial, phone records belonging to Williams were also presented to the jury that confirmed Williams made the threatening call.
  During sentencing, the Chief Magistrate Judge addressed the Court describing the problems Williams has caused in the local community and the impact of his actions.
  Williams is currently a registered sex offender and has prior convictions for Criminal Sexual Conduct, Burglary, and Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature. 
  The case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitor Doug Fender of the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

NEW COUNTY COUNCILMAN - Wayne Grice was sworn in as the new County Councilman from District 2 on Fri., Aug. 30, in the Council Chambers. Holding the Bible was Sheriff John Perry, and County Attorney Chris Spradley conducted the swearing in. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

Clemson University junior Plant and Environmental Sciences major Texanna Miller won third place in the undergraduate poster competition at the 2019 American Society of Horticultural Science Conference. (Clemson University photo)

Clemson student wins 3rd place at
national horticulture conference

  Texanna Miller, a junior Clemson University Plant and Environmental Sciences major from Saluda, won third place in the undergraduate poster competition at the 2019 American Society of Horticultural Science Conference.
  The conference was held in Las Vegas and brought together hundreds of horticulture researchers, scientists and students to cultivate ideas and share new techniques. The five-day event featured technical sessions, poster presentations and keynote speakers.
  Miller’s award-winning poster is entitled “A DNA Test for Routine Prediction in Breeding of Peach Bacterial Spot Fruit Resistance.” This particular poster had previously won 1st place in the 2019 CAFLS Undergraduate Research Poster Competition at Clemson, and its recognition inspired Miller to present it on a national stage at the conference.
  The poster highlights a groundbreaking peach genetic testing process that Miller developed under the mentorship of Clemson professor Ksenija Gasic. Her findings present a management option for disease control and meeting consumer demand for chemical-free, environmentally friendly fruit production.
  Miller’s research uncovers a method of distinguishing, while still in the greenhouse, which genetic characteristics of peach seedlings result in extra resistance to disease in the field. This knowledge allows peach farmers to maximize resources by planting only the seeds with the best chance of survival.
  “Knowing that a seed is resistant to bacterial spot is a big step in peach production because it is a very, very predominant disease in the Southeast region. It alone can be responsible for millions of dollars in damage and can wipe out entire orchards because it’s very easily transmitted,” Miller explained. “So, this testing process can be a big cost saver for farmers and groups who want to plant resistant trees. They can focus less on chemical controls since the disease is less likely to get introduced.”
  Miller’s testing method enables her to make predictions about peach disease resistance with 80% accuracy. These results demonstrate that Miller’s method is a time and cost-efficient alternative to traditional geno-typing, which takes years and can be very pricey. Miller was able to test 96 samples in just a few hours, where each sample only cost about 10 cents.
  Miller’s attendance at the 2019 American Society of Horticulture Conference was made possible through funding she received from the CAFLS Century Club, which fully covered her travel expenses and admission. Her experience there is a direct result of the CAFLS Advantage program, which funds learning experiences beyond the classroom, develops a student’s critical thinking skills, prepares graduates to meet their career goals, and fuels the inspiration to tackle the grand challenges facing our state, nation and the world.
  Texanna is the daughter of Russell and Candice Miller.