Council Oks Studies on Courthouse Square, Best Way to Use Hospitality Tax Revenue

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson County Council moved forward on a new subdivision, a self-insurance plan for county employees, a market study on the development of old Bailes/Woolworth property, the sale of property for an expansion at TTI,  and supported a study on the best use of hospitality tax money, should it be implemented in the unincorporated areas of Anderson County, as part of Tuesday night’s meeting

During the meeting, held at the Anderson Civic Center due to the failure of the elevator in the historic courthouse, council approved, on second reading,  a new 74.6-acre subdivision in the area around Midway Road, Harriet Circle and Crestview Road which would bring between 170-180 single-family houses to the property. Council also approved moving forward with a plan to  

As part of the new project, Anderson County Councilman Craig Wooten said he supports reaching out to S.C. Rep. Brian White and the Anderson County Legislative Delegation to secure funding to expand the intersection of Midway Road and Crestview Road. 

The proposed project, which will be renamed “Spencer’s Trail,” would be built by Falcon Real Estate Development, and would set aside 25 acres of the property as green space, which would include a trail, a dog run and playground area. Two entrances to the subdivision, one on Crestview, one on Midway would also be included in the current plan. More details on the project here. 

Following up a special council meeting last week, council gave an update on a plan to provide an improved health insurance plan for county employees. The goal of the plan which would be a self-insurane program, is to offer improved service for employees and to save the county money. 

“This is something we’ve been talking about for months and really working on for over a year,” said Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. “What where’re trying to do is make the healthcare for our employees better, and to make it sustainable for the future.” 

“If we go to a self-insured program, we have a lot more flexibility to provide better services and save money at the same time,” said Anderson County Councilman Tom Allen. “We do not want to degrade the current health program. What ever we come up with will be just and good and probably better.”

The program could be in place by January of 2019.

More information on the plan here.

On Tuesday night, council also approved a resolution for an outside study to discover the best way to spend an money collected from a hospitality tax in unincorporated parts of the county which do not currently have the tax. An advisory opinion on the hospitality tax is already on the November ballot. Wooten said the study would also be an advisory move to give the council direction on the best way to use the funds based on state law.

Passing a resolution before the election, if were to pass, we would pursue an independent feasibility study on the best use of the hospitality tax money for the county, the greatest impact. 

“The community wants to know what would be of maximum benefit,” Wooten said. “Such a study would also be purely informational, but it would hold us accountable.”

Opinion: Hospitalty Tax Critical for Growth 

Meanwhile, the county gave the go ahead to Peach Properties of Columbia to do a market study and explore options for the development of the courthouse square property, former location of the Bailes/Woolworth Building 

“We are not embarking on any path without the information we need to begin the process of what should go on that site,” Burns said. “This should be a significant building that will benefit all the citizens of Anderson County.” 

Peach Properties has already purchased and developed the future site of Groucho’s Deli across the street from the property.

In other moves, council also approved the sale of 4.04 acres at the Southwest corner of Martin Road and Orange Way, to One World Technologies, Inc., (TTI), for $155,000, the appraised value of the property. 

“They intend to put another facility on the property, which I think will be a great benefit to Anderson County and will be on the tax books,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns.

Council also gave the go ahed to a emergency shelter, paid for by Duke Energy Carolinas, at the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Complex. The shelter will provide “solar photovoltaic power aways, voltage regulations, and power quality regulation,” offering citizens a shelter with electricity in the event of an emergency. 

Wooten said the solar project would cost the county $8 million if not for Duke Energy constructing the project. “This will be a tremendous benefit to public safety,” said Anderson County Councilman Ray Graham. “We want to thank Duke Energy for their investment in Anderson County."

Also on Tuesday night, council:

1. Approved the finalizing of an agreement with Peach Properties of Columbia to develop the vacant lot behind the historic Anderson County Courthouse which formerly served as home to the Bailes/Woolworth businesses. The goal has long been to build a public/private partnership facility on the site, one which will bring more people downtown and provide both retail, office and potentially residential space. Burns said he would like whatever is constructed on the site to be the most significant building downtown. 
2. Gave final approval to a $2.8 million for plans to expand the Starr-Iva Landfill which is nearing capacity. The expansion will be paid by new debt service payment of $289,000. The current debt service payment of $358.000 wil be complete this year, so the new funds for expansion could represent some savings. A mulcher/grinder machine for the site is also being considered. The machine would cost approximately $550,000, with an estimated $75,000 per year additional cost to run the new equipment. More information here: https://youtu.be/3pdCg_QUZp0 The mulch created at the facility would be free to Anderson County citizens.  
3. Gave final approval to tax incentives for JB Ferguson Properties, LLC, to purchased and renovate a number of buildings on South Main across from City Hall. The properties are expected to eventually generate approximately $70,000 in tax payments for the county. 
4. Gave final approval to tax incentives for the collaborative project with the City of Anderson for a $12 million, 90-bed hotel downtown at the corner of South Main and East Market Streets. 
5. Approved, on second reading, tax incentives for an established international company which will bring $6.2 million in capital investment, and 31 highly skilled jobs with an average salary of $23.81 per hour, and an annual payroll of $1.2 million. Anderson County Economic Development Director Burriss Nelson. said the 20-year economic impact of the company (in business for more than 100 years old) on the community is estimated at more than $261 million. The business, which will involve detailed technical testing of equipment, will require highly-skilled positions and require a two- or four-year degree. It will be located in Anderson County Council District Six, which makes up the northeast corridor of the county. 
6. Approved, on second reading, a tax-incentive agreement to work with the City of Anderson to help develop unused buildings in downtown Anderson to recruit and bring in new businesses. The buildings are directly across South Main Street from City Hall. The buildings are being renovated for commercial use. The infrastructure credit agreement will allow investors to pay reduced property taxes on those properties.
7. Gave final approval to tax incentives for the collaborative project with the City of Anderson for a $12 million, 90-bed hotel downtown at the corner of South Main and East Market Streets. 
8. Agreed, on first reading to lease .75 acres at the Anderson County Sports and Entertainment Complex to Duke Energy Carolinas, to provide “solar photovoltaic power aways, voltage regulations, and power quality regulation.” The move is for an emergency shelter that will provide power for Anderson County citizens in the event of an emergency. Wooten said the value of the solar project would cost the county $8 million if not for Duke Energy constructing the project. “This will be a tremendous benefit to public safety,” said Anderson County Councilman Ray Graham. “We want to thank Duke Energy for their investment in Anderson County."

At an earlier meeting Tuesday night, council also honored Anderson County Public Works Director and Deputy County Administrator Holt Hopkins for being named the South Carolina American Public Works Association’s Manager of the Year for his leadership and management over the past three years at Anderson County Pets Are Worth Saving (P.A.W.S.). Under his direction, P.A.W.S. has been transformed, and has become a resource for neighboring counties and agencies.

“Mr. Hopkins is passionate about his work with public works and is very deserving of this award,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns.