For the Favored Few

With minimal notice and no fanfare, Sullivan’s Island Town Council voted on June 1st to increase property taxes by 6 mils. That is about $200 per residence each year for the average owner-occupied home.  Property taxes on rental properties will increase even more. At the same meeting, Town Council voted to increase water and sewer fees paid by residents by about 6%. 

Notably, the votes were taken at a special meeting, held AFTER the May 5th election. 

The 6 mil increase in property taxes is a far cry from what was presented to SI residents when the financing of the new Town Hall was publicly discussed a couple of years ago. The minutes of the special meeting on December 13, 2013, show that Town Council stated then that only a 3% millage increase would be required.

When asked in late May about the current shortfall between revenue and expenses, Mayor Pat O'Neil told Island Eye that Town Council needed to look at Town expenditures to see where there were savings. So why does the budget still include $120,000 in additional recreation expenditures? Is this truly a necessary expense that warrants raising taxes on all SI homeowners?

Much of the $120,000 would go toward improving the Island Club building. For those who may not know, the Island Club recently returned its lease to the Town of Sullivan’s Island because of declining membership and an inability to cover its own expenses.

With this vote on the budget, SI Town Council is requiring the vast majority of SI residents who do not use the Island Club in the first place to support it with their tax dollars.

It is well worth noting that both of the council members who actively pushed for increasing recreation expenditures were resoundingly defeated in the May 5th election. What does THAT say about island-wide support for spending more taxpayer dollars on recreation?

The Sullivan's Island community voted overwhelmingly to go in a new direction, first in January with the mayoral race, and again in May with the Town Council election. 

So why is Town Council continuing to divide the island by forcing all residents to pay for items supported by only a favored few?


Town of SI FY 2016 Revenue Projections

Town of SI FY 2016 Expense Projections

Taking a Bite Out of Your Wallet

Have you noticed that the coyote problem has just kinda...gone away? Sightings are more and more rare. Night vision cameras are showing no signs of their presence. Even Edgar Allen Pig is nevermore (sorry).  No sightings and no attacks, but islanders can expect a big, bad bite anyway. Right in their wallets!

The most recent issue of The Island Eye quotes our new mayor, Pat O'Neil, stating that our town's budget is out of balance by $324,154. "We need to look at expenditures to see where there are savings. We need to look at revenues to see where we can increase them. The only one we can raise is property taxes."

Did this Council really look to see where expenditures could be cut? I hope all residents will take a strong look at the 2016 budget. Do you think there are any tax-funded, and unnecessary, expenditures that you could live without? Need to see a copy of the 2016 budget? Please call Ellen Miller, 883.3158, and request a copy. And don't forget to ask for a copy of the building contract between the Town and Hill Construction. 

The Island Club and The Park Foundation are 2 community organizations included for funding in the 2016 budget. They are to receive $120,000 for improvements and enhancements.  That figure represents 30% of the "necessary" $324,154 increase needed to operate our town. Why? 

Historically, both of these organizations were founded on the voluntary participation of islanders to use their own time and talent to achieve community goals. They were never intended to become a liability to the Town and its taxpaying residents. 

By contrast, the popular Battery Gadsden Cultural Center consists of islanders whose passion is preserving Sullivan's Island history, while sponsoring cultural activities in art, music, and education. They neither ask nor receive town money, and their success is noteworthy.

Equally noteworthy is the astounding cost of our new Town Hall. Council Member Chauncey Clark stated, "WE made a decision to build a new town hall, to get a new fire truck, and now WE have to follow through." Huh? WE islanders NEVER had a vote on a new town hall. Only 7 islanders did, and they are our town council members who, once again, denied islanders a voice on the cost, size, and scope of another predictably huge structure. 

The new town hall is projected to dwarf the Fire Station when completed.  What started as a $2.9 million dollar project (see attachment below) has now risen to a $3.9+ million dollar project that Town Council has also somehow exempted from the Town's building and zoning ordinances. Doesn't this sound familiar?

NOTE TO THE READER:  Two SI council members were resoundingly voted off of council in town elections held one month ago. Another council member wisely chose not to seek reelection. Newly elected council members have promised an "Islanders First" agenda. Long overdue and feeling much frustration, islanders want a voice on all significant issues. These new council members, Bachman Smith, Rita Langley, Mark Howard, and Sarah Church must stand with islanders who have placed their trust in the promise of a new direction for Sullivan's Island.

Whiney Coyote (Karen Coste)

Cost Comparison for 3 Town Hall options, July17, 2012