It is time to start VOTING, Beaufort is competing to become the Best Small Town
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Events in and around Beaufort

Billy Keyserling
SC Coastal Mayors  Join 
US Congressman Mark Sanford 
and State Senator Chip Campsen 
at Mt Pleasant News Conference where the Congressman and Senator Speak Out against seismic testing and drilling for oil off the Southeastern Coast.

To date 11 SC communities of which Beaufort was first and Port Royal second,  are among the 52 communities along the SC, NC and Ga Coastline,  who are opposed. The numbers are growing thanks to your help and the leadership of Beaufort's Megan Feight




Budget Development Needs Your Engagement
Billy K Photo

Creating a City Budget
ADDITIONAL WORK SESSION TUES.

While I know interest in our FY 2015-16 Budget is brewing  and side conversations are being held on the street, City Council needs to hear from you.  

There is a new and to some minds a  "controversial" fee on the table for consideration.  Before we address it head on, we will continue to hear departmental budgets and meet with as many interested parties as possible.

On Tuesday when we heard budget presentations from the Fire and Municipal Court Departments, a few people attended, but I know others are interested and City Council needs constructive ideas about how to meet a projected short fall.  

To stimulate the conversation, I want to share City Manager Bill Prokop's message to Council relative to a "possible" fee for public safety services. I am also including a letter to the editor to the Packet/Gazette and my response to it. 

To ensure we meet the budget schedule, the City Council will hold an additional Work Session at 5 pm on Tuesday May 5 at the Planning Conference Room on the first floor of City Hall.   

We have along way to go in the process, but the sooner we hear from your the better.  

BillyK


City Manager's message relative to FY 2015-16 Budget and proposed public service fee. Council has yet to make a decision and is likely to explore alternatives before making a decision.  

 

Message to City Council and the Public

from City Manager Bill Prokop


 Good Evening:        I want to thank the council and my staff for fielding a few questions this past week regarding the proposal that Kathy (City Finance Director) and I brought forward last week of a possible "Public Safety Fee". It is always nice to see that others like the county are having the same issues and concerns and are proposing additional cost to the taxpayers to cover their expenses and they can do it with fewer restrictions than we have on us.

 

Our citizens have asked for more services - police coverage, park and building maintenance, street improvements, and faster permitting services and in order to provide these services we have to find revenues sources. The state legislature has restricted our ability to increase taxes with the passage of Act 388 in 2006, is actively discussing how to further take away an important revenue source in the business license fee, and are not funding the needs we have for highway and street maintenance. At the same time, we have increases in the cost of the state retirement system and our insurance programs just as the county, other municipalities, businesses and not for profit organizations are having.

 

We welcome the discussion on our wants and needs, and how the community feels about paying for them. As the mayor has stated many times in the past, we are serving a population of 50-60,000 plus with our parks, waterfront, police, fire, and public works on a budget that is paid for by 12,500 -13,000 residents.

 

We are open to suggestions and new ideas and want to have a program that is fairly shared by all who benefit. We seek to enhance the economic vitality and appearance of Beaufort while building a sense of pride and community spirit, thereby improving the social well-being of our city for today and tomorrow. As we go through our budget process, please feel free to participate.


 Bill Prokop

City Manager

 
Letter to the Editor regarding proposed Public Safety Fee 
and my response.

 

Though I have not decided whether or not to support the staff recommended Public Safety Fee, I am looking at it as well other options.  That said, I believe we must understand issues based on facts.

 

The following letter to the editor of the Gazette/Packet raises legitimate concerns to which I would like to respond.  By doing so my goal is simply to share the facts and is in no way a personal response to my friend who wrote the letter.

 

Letter: 'Public safety fee' an ill-advised tax

BY ISLANDPACKET

 

Dear Editor:


Chancellor Alan Runyan of the Parish Church of St. Helena hit the nail on the head when he called Beaufort's proposed public safety fee on churches and other nonprofit groups a "wolf in sheep's clothing."

 

I,  nor any member of council have illusions that a fee is not similar to tax in that a fee, like taxes,  generates revenues to pay for "some" specific operations of local government, be it municipal or county.  That said "as long as they are applied equally to all and are attached to specific services"  fees are legal yet restricted to the use for which they are created. 

 

I am not an attorney, but I do know that because the State of SC will not let us raise property taxes and/or accommodations and hospitality taxes beyond caps that they unilaterally set without consideration of local needs, fees are unfortunately the only remaining way to generate revenues needed to fill gaps when costs rise and additional funding is not available.

 

The city's nonprofit groups, including our houses of worship, give so much to our community and are struggling with their own budgets and needs. The fee is indeed nothing more than an illegal tax and should not be advanced by the mayor and City Council.


Non-profit organizations, including churches, are an important part of the infrastructure of  great little city and we will do all we are able to help them.   

The writer is seemingly unaware that non-profits already pay fees for some services:  storm water fees that applies to all properties including government except (MCAS, the Naval Hospital and Parris Island that believe they are exempt and have battled the county for years to make there point.)

 

In other cases the City (to compensate it's off duty officers and EMS who work over time to ensure safety) at festivals and similar events) imposes fees for these services. 

 

One point Mr McNally does not appear to understand is that the proposal does not single out houses of worship.  

 

As proposed it would apply to ALL property owners including residents and businesses who already pay for these services through taxes to the County and City. Is it fair to increase the costs to those who are already paying for services through taxes which they, like nonprofits, are not exempt from paying?

 

If the proposal becomes the subject of a public hearing, I urge every church member and every nonprofit employee and volunteer to attend it to voice their objections.

 

I have requested meetings with our wonderful hospital (where I spent a great deal of my childhood making rounds with my dad who was an old time doc who visited his hospitalized patients twice a day) and the group of more than 100 social service agencies and the editorial board of the Gazette/Packet since I believe all should understand the issue and weigh in before council takes any action. I am happy to meet with representatives from any and all non-profit organizations day or night which ever is convenient. 

 

T
he disastrous marina project pales in comparison to this insanity.

 

 

No doubt the redevelopment of the Marina parking lot became chaotic and the project was not handled as well as it could/should have been.  I  accept the responsibility as I have said numerous times in the past. 

 

Mr McNally in fact was a member of the City Redevelopment Commission that, after extensive public input,  recommended the Civic Master Plan to City Council (which included the proposed redevelopment of the parking lot), but then he lobbied against it when he found pubic concern that did not come up during the public process.  That said, the chapter is over as the City Council listened to the public and abandoned the project. That was a good thing since it demonstrated how participatory government and civic engagement can work and how city council listens.

 

Perhaps Beaufort should take a close look at how this deficit developed in the first place and use a better business approach to manage it. Raising taxes is a part of the solution. Borrowing or issuing bonds to take care of certain needs are, too.

 

A large part of the gap between projected revenues and expenses is due to severe raises in the cost of insurance workers compensation costs.  There are no new full time employees and none of the large Capital projects underway are paid for through the operating budget. 

 

The proposed "fee tax" should not be aimed at our struggling nonprofits and churches.

 

Again, the proposed fee is not aimed at non-profits, it is directed to all property owners including those who feel they are already over taxed.

 

Mike McNally

Beaufort

 

A final note:


 I appreciate Mr McNally's letter and believe it raises issues City Council is addressing and about which the public should know before any decisions are made.  But, I also believe he should get his facts straight before speaking out as he has with misinformation that confuses rather than instructs the citizens about the issues on which we want to hear from them. 

 

Citizens, whether they live and pay taxes in the City, are always encouraged to attend City Council meetings.  At every meeting, we have an opportunity for public comment, and at public hearings we listen to citizens.  That said, public comment and hearings are for the council to listen and not to debate the issue with the public at that time. If an issue makes it to the City Council agenda for consideration, we also provide ample time to citizens to be heard as Council considers and debates.

 

Finally, if those -- like Mr McNally -- want to learn more about the costs of government, I would encourage them to attend our budget work sessions where the audience is given an opportunity to weigh in. Last week we reviewed the Fire Department and Court Administration proposed budgets. This Tuesday at 5PM we will review Public Works and other department budgets.  And the week after there will be more such presentations until we have heard from and asked questions to all department heads.

 

Informal work sessions on  budget presentations provide council and the pubic plenty of time to ask questions and to explore more efficient and cost saving ways of doing the city's business. Often, like last week, when we engaged the fire department on its proposed budget, these "events" can be lively and informative. 

 




Amazing 9 year old singer.  Enjoy!

http://biggeekdad.com/2015/04/amazing-9-year-old-singer/ 

 

 

 

CORRECTION  


I mislabeled last weeks photo to Middle School Leadership Class. The class was from Ladys Island Middle School  I am not sure how I made the mistake since the group from LIMS comes to City Hall every year.

Please excuse my mistake.  Thanks


Nothing Makes Happier Than When Citizens Commend City Staff for their good work for the people of Beaufort and the surrounding areas. 

 

Letter: to Packet/Gazette:   

Beaufort city staff makes paving happen

http://www.islandpacket.com/2015/04/29/3724031_letter-beaufort-city-staff-makes.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

 

 
 

 

 

 

As the Spanish Point Trail continues to grow, the 

following might help you understand the importance of this kind of infrastructure to a City.

 

Recreation and Transportation Wrapped into One!


 

Thursday, April 30, 2015

 

Swamp Rabbit Trail growing as transportation corridor

 

By Bill Poovey           bpoovey@scbiznews.com      Published April 28, 2015

 

The Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail has become a playground that spans almost 20 miles, with extension plans in the works and no end in sight. The official overseeing the paved recreation attraction along the Reedy River said its biggest future benefit will be as a transportation corridor.

 

The Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail is becoming a transportation corridor that other communities are looking to emulate and, in some cases, tap into. 


 

Greenville County Greenways, Natural and Historic Resources Director Ty Houck sees the trail as the "spine for community and connectivity throughout the county." Some Greenville County officials are working on plans to develop a wider trail section to accommodate a test track for driverless vehicles, a project that could lead to an alternate mode of public transit. Houck said electric bicycles are growing in popularity in Europe.

 

Houck said his vision is shared by some officials and trail enthusiasts beyond the county line, including Easley. In Laurens County, a group is working to develop a span that will eventually connect to Greenville County's 6-year-old trail that a study shows generated $6.7 million for area businesses in 2013. Houck said the Laurens County Group has received a National Park Service grant and has adopted the Swamp Rabbit name.

 

"Laurens County is taking the approach of we need a long-distance transportation corridor and not just a small little trail around facilities," Houck said. "We are creating more community transportation options."

In North Carolina, "Hendersonville has already talked with us about how to link it up there" and Brevard, N.C., officials are talking about a trail project linking with Hendersonville, Houck said.


 

"All of this is the same story everywhere," he said. "It is pieces. It is where we can put it, where the people who own the property want it. That comes after where we can make it as flat as possible. If you make it flat, a lot of people are going to use it. Your route is dictated by trying to keep it flat, but just as important is destinations."


 

Houck said federal funds are available for building a "transportation-pedestrian-oriented network just like a road network."


 Speaking at a Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Houck said Travelers Rest is realizing significant economic growth from the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which the study found attracted more than a half million walkers, joggers and bicyclists in 2013. He said "downtown Travelers Rest - before they did their street improvements, which (Simpsonville has) already done - and the trail six years ago, they had four businesses in their three-block business district. Now they have 60. It went from four to six-zero." He said Marietta wants to share in the economic impact and there are ongoing talks about a trail link at North Greenville University and "the historic end right there outside of Jones Gap. There is no limit."

 

Houck said linking Simpsonville to the trail would affect the community's economy the same way.

 

More than just economic

Simpsonville Deputy Police Chief Steve Moore is waiting for a $400,000 grant that the city will use to develop a link to the Swamp Rabbit Trail. The money will pay for a mile, maybe two.

 

"After that we are looking at about 5 or 6 miles going toward Fountain Inn, depending on which path the trail would take, then about the same going toward Mauldin," Moore said. He said the grant has been approved. Moore and the city group working on the project are seeking donations. He said Houck has advised them that "if we do some very creative work we can get a mile at $200,000. So there is a possibility we can get more bang for our buck."

 

Houck said the county's return on its investment in the trail, about $3.75 million, has been positive, based on the study, businesses opening and real estate development along the trail.

 

Along with the economic benefit, Greenville County Deputy Mike Jenkins said the trail is largely a crime-free area.

 

Stopped on his patrol motorcycle at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery on Cedar Lane Road in Greenville, Jenkins said before the trail opened the buildings were vacant and attracted homeless people and there was some crime.

 

"Since the trail got here, there has been numerous businesses being built up, and it's being frequented by a lot of people who use the trail and also patrons of the businesses," Jenkins said. "As you can see, there are people coming by us every few seconds, walking and riding and running.

 

"It is pretty safe out here," Jenkins said. "I'm out here for about 40 hours a week ... We have very, very few problems on the trail related 

 








 

 








If you have never been, you may want to go.  
Lots of events to choose from during Spoleto.