COUNCILMAN KEVIN HARDEE ATTEMPTS TO RUSH CAROLINA STATION APPROVAL

In a move Tuesday night Councilman Kevin Hardee (District 10) tried prematurely to start the Council approval process for Carolina Station (partially in his district). A motion to add the first (out of three readings) for the development to the agenda was defeated by Ms. Gilland, Mr. Ryan, and Mr. Schwartzkopf who voted NO (a motion to add an item to the agenda requires a unanimous vote.)
EXPLANATION: This was an attempt by Mr. Hardee and the developer to start Council approval of this project BEFORE 1) staff approval (staff has NOT finished negotiating the developmental agreement and has serious legal questions yet to be answered, 2) the Council has conducted its Workshop on Carolina Station scheduled for May 13, and 3) the County has identified funds to pay for the estimated $200-$250M in new infrastructure needs.

ACTION ALERT!
Ms Gilland, Mr. Ryan, and Mr. Schwartzkopf stood up for County taxpayers and demonstrated good common sense in declining to move forward. Please write to each of them (regardless of whether or not you are in their districts) and let them know you appreciate their vote and request they identify funds to pay for the NEW infrastructure required BEFORE approving the project.

Liz Gilland, chairman@horrycounty.org

Mike Ryan, Mlryan2000@aol.com

Carl Schwartzkopf, captcarl@sccoast.net

Julie Harbin opened the meeting and introduced herself, Pam Creech, and Jim Paullin as the Horry County P.R.I.D.E leadership team. A fourth member, Stu Schnur was unable to attend.Two special guests were recognized and introduced: Mike Ryan, County Councilman from 4th District and Gary Loftus, Director, Coastal Carolina University’s Center for Economic and Community Development, and candidate for the County Council’s 4th District.

County Council Budget Retreat, April 3rd and 4th
Pam Creech reported that representatives of Horry County P.R.I.D.E. attended the County Council’s budget retreat to hear details of this year’s budget status. Pam Creech said there are two major factors involved in the potentially large revenue shortfall:

1) The loss of at least $4M in revenue from permits and fees due to the downturn in the building industry, and

2) The potential loss of $7M from the Assessable Transfer of Interest tax that the State Legislature is expected to repeal. The ATI subjects real property to appraisal at the fair market sale value vs. the appraised value for property tax purposes. If we lose the ATI revenue, there are not a lot of options to raise lost revenue.
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