The news about the Sangaree tax increase has been in the media recently:
SSTD Commissioner Marty Richard also sent a message to the Sangaree residents about the tax increase that tells the full story, as well as the tax districts plans for the future.
We have all heard by now of the terrible murder of a beautiful young girl named Kelsey Smith. She was last seen leaving a Target store in Overland Park, Kansas. But do we realize how close to home this really is?
Kelsey Smith lived on Aberdeen Court in the Highland Village section of Sangaree from 1990 until 1993, along with her older sisters Stevie and Lindsey. Her father Greg was a Berkeley County Sheriff deputy and mother Missey worked for USA Today. They were like most of us in Sangaree–hard-working people wanting a safe home for their family. With all our efforts to make Sangaree a safer place we need to also remember to learn teach the children to be careful and aware at all times. Kelsey did nothing wrong. She was doing what she was supposed to be doing. Unfortunately for her, someone else was not.
Kelsey and her sisters were charming, polite, well-mannered children. They were children that Sangaree as a community could be proud of. Their last Christmas on Aberdeen Court, I remember all Kelsey wanted was a Dorothy Doll. Missey and Greg were searching everywhere for that doll, even having family in Kansas looking for it. I remember Kelsey got her doll. And I remember what great neighbors the Smiths were. Just as great as the ones we still have in Sangaree.
I have received news from a source close to the Sangaree Special Tax District Commission indicating that a large shortfall in the Tax District’s budget has been found. In order to make up for the shortfall, our taxes will be raised a significant amount. In addition, the tax district will not be able to acquire the new administration building/fire station that we told you about on the website (see item #2). In fact, Sangaree taxpayers can expect to receive no additional services from the tax hike.
How could this happen? Some of you may remember that a few years ago, the Sangaree Special Tax District lowered our taxes. Berkeley County had found that the tax district had a large amount of money, approximately $1 million, which had built up due to frugal spending by the district. The County Council mandated that the tax district reduce the fund balance. It seems that General Manager Chuck Chears, and then-Commissioner Charlie Davis, recommended to reduce taxes and make up the shortfall with the overage.
The overage is almost all gone and there is not enough tax money to make up the ongoing shortfall. Their solution? To raise Sangaree’s millage from 34 mills to at least 49 to make up the difference. To you and me, this will be an increase in our property taxes of about $50-$150.00.
According to our sources, the shortfall was discovered by accident. The shortfall was found while the commissioners were reviewing the budget for money they could use to fund a new administrative building and fire station. The Sangaree Special Tax District does not do any budget forecasting to estimate the tax district’s future income and expenses. They only look from one year to the next.
Bear in mind, taxes would have needed to be increased in some method as the reduction was paid for from the savings the tax district had accrued. However, as officials only recently found the shortfall, taxes that could have been increased gradually over a 2-3 year period will need to be raised all at once.
I spoke with Mr. Charlie Davis, Berkeley Councilwoman Cathy Davis’ husband, and a Tax District Commissioner when the taxes were originally lowered. According to Mr. Davis, “There isn’t a problem.� Although he acknowledged that taxes will need to be increased and that the building on Farmington can not be purchased.
Mr. Davis stated that the budget shortfall can be attributed in part to the increased garbage collection contract, and that the building on Farmington was too expensive. Mr. Davis also said that he and Tax District Commissioner Marty Richard are investigating cheaper alternatives to that building, and that a building may be financed with bonds that can be repaid at 3% interest.
This is the situation as it stands now. The current budget that Sangaree has submitted to the County is still calling for a millage of 34. Due to scheduling conflicts, the County and the Tax District have yet to meet and find a solution to the current problem and how to prevent it in the future. They have also not discussed if or how they will explain what happened to the residents.
I will keep you posted on developments on this situation as I learn more.
Posted by A. McDevitt Permalink Comments (7)
June 14 at 2 p.m. - VanDoren, the Magician, is coming to the Berkeley County Library at Sangaree! Children will particularly enjoy this event.
June 19, 7:30-9:30 p.m. - Teens are invited to attend a game night at the library. Free refreshments and door prizes will be available. Teens may bring their favorite fame or play some at the library.
June 4 - July 28 - Get a Clue at the Library! The children and teens’ summer story time theme for this summer is mysteries. Research shows reading throughout the summer helps prevent students from loosing information from the last school year, so involve your children in this program! The program rules are available online. Contact the library for additional information.
Friends of the Library, a non profit volunteer group, is selling memorial bricks. All profits from this sale will be made available to the library to purchase items the county budget may not be able to supply. After being engraved with names of individuals, families or business names, the bricks will be professionally installed along the existing sidewalks at the library. (This program is similar to the fences at Gahagan Park) They cost $60 each. Plan to take part in a long lasting display of your support of the library. Forms are available at the library or by contacting Suzette Joyce, chairman of the Sangaree FOL at suzjoyce@att.net.
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