4-Year Council Terms Headed to Referendum; First Reading of FY 2017 Budget Passes

Anderson County Council approved on third reading an ordinance to change county council elected terms from two years to four years. The new terms would be staggered so that council elections would be help so that all of council would not be elected during the same cycle. 

By a vote of 5-2, council will now send the issue to Anderson County voters with a referendum in November.

“This gives the people the right to decide,” said Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. “It will be in their hands.”

“Currently, 43 of the 46 counties in South Carolina have four-year terms,”  said outgoing Anderson County Councilman Francis Crowder. “So we are not setting a space, we are actually behind.” 

Crowder said only York, McCormick and Anderson have two-terms. 

Anderson County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson disagreed. 

The U.S. Congress and S.C. House serve two-year terms,” Wilson said. “And given the financial mismanagement in the county prior to 2008, it seems more appropriate to have two-year terms in Anderson County Council.” 

"A four-year term will give those of us up here a better understanding of what's going on," said Allen.

Meanwhile, council approved on first reading changes to what will be a very lean county budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year budget. 

“We have so many challenges in this year’s budget,” Wilson said.  “Health Insurance already over $7 million for our employees and we are looking at a $500,000 increase. An this budget has no funding for roads, I don’t know how we can avoid this key responsibility to the citizens.” 

Wilson said until the current budget year, the county had done no significant road work since 2003.

Other budget issues include replacing roofs for the new courthouse, the civic center and the library. 

“There is very little left to trim,” Crowder. “We are growing, exploding in Anderson County, and people demand services. “Our budget is not being kept up to the pace of the demand being created.” 

Crowder agreed roads are a serious issue, and said the state is not going to help. 

“The legislature year after year has dodged this issue. If any of the current budget proposals are passed, not one dime of that money will go to repair or maintain the 1,499 miles of county roads.” 

Crowder said the county can continue to ignore the problem of fixing roads, institute a road maintenance fee or consider a one-cent sales tax proposal, 100 percent of which will be used for roads.  

“As a council we need to face the fact and decide what we are going to do,” Crowder said. “We can keep kicking the bucket down the road, or we can face up to the issue.” 

"We need a continuing source of dollars that are locked in to take care or roads only," Allen said. Allen reminded council that $7.5 million is needed annually to take care of Anderson County roads.

"We can come up with around $1 million for roads for this years budget, but we need reoccuring funds for our roads," Dunn said. "We have got to get a plan in place to get our roads repaired."

Dunn also said the county's challenge to decide how to administrer EMS in the county is also going to be important in the upcoming budget.

"I can say this county council works on the budget," said Anderson County Councilman Ken Waters. "This is a job after you go through an election, and all of us up here take it seriously and we are all looking after the taxpayers."

“I am pleased by what I have seen so far, but the changed recommended by the finance commit tree makes no sense,” said Anderson County Council Woman Gracie Floyd. 

“And don’t forget we have spent $3.8 million fighting the Joey Preston case, and that’s not over yet,” Floyd said.

Floyd’s request for a full-council budget workshop was defeated by a 5-3 vote, with only Wilson, Floyd and Anderson County Councilman Tom Allen voting for such a meeting.

The total budget number currently being considered is approximately $!50 million, and currently reflects a decrease of $60,000 from the FY 2016 year.

Also on Tuesday night: 

Approved an ordinance for the formation of an Anderson County Convention and Visitors Bureau.  A board will be appointed by council to hire the sales manager position for the new organization, said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns.  

Anderson County Councilman Tom Allen offered update on the Anderson County Animal Ordinance. 

“The basics have all been written and are in Columbia,” Allen said. “The lawyers down there are are reviewing it to make sure it does not violate any state laws.” Allen said he hopes the approval for the ordinance will be soon.

Approved a move to allow county employees to donate unused annual and/or sick leave to a leave pool account. The purpose is to support employees with serious or chronic illnesses who have used all of their sick leave.