Berkeley County budgets approved

Tax bills to feature enhanced transparency
Both Berkeley County government and the Berkeley County School District have approved new budgets for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. One group elected to raise taxes and the other did not. 
The $258.8 million school district budget includes a 4 mill tax hike on non-owner occupied properties, according to a district press release. One mill is equal to approximately 1/10 of a cent. The increase, which is expected to generate approximately $5.9 million in new revenue for the district, will not impact owner-occupied homes. 
Board Chairman Jim Hayes said there were many factors that led to the Board’s decision to approve the increase – including getting teacher and bus driver salaries in line with surrounding districts and tackling the district’s high growth rate of 700 to 1,000 students per year. The influx of new students requires more teachers, support personnel, resources, and facilities, Hayes added. 
“Contrary to popular belief, the state does not cover the per pupil cost entirely,” he said. “At present time we receive 75 percent of what the state mandated for 2009-10 school year in funds per pupil.”
Another reason cited by Hayes for the hike was the fact that the district is “still playing catch-up from the economic down-turn a few years ago,” during which time the district left many positions unfilled in an attempt to save money. That, in turn, caused classroom numbers to increase, he said. 
The pending opening of new schools, including three new facilities off Clements Ferry Road to serve Daniel Island and Cainhoy area students, was also a factor in the Board’s decision. 
“Bond referendum money is not used to cover the cost of startup,” added Hayes. “Since there are no students at the new schools, we have no money to cover the support staff that must get everything ready for the first day for students. Supplies, equipment, and staff must be on hand anywhere from one year to six months to get the school ready.”
Included in the district’s 2016-2017 budget is $10.86 million for improvements in employee compensation; $3.37 million for additional teachers to address anticipated student growth; $3.62 million to open and operate Philip Simmons Elementary, Middle, and High Schools; and $2.74 million to fund critical student and teacher support personnel, including psychologists, social workers, instructional technologists, and nurses. Additionally, more than $500,000 has been set aside to provide support for students in the district’s highest poverty rural schools.
 “There are many low and unfunded mandates that come down from the state level every year,” added Hayes. “On the state level we are ranked 64th in per pupil spending and 25th in achievement. I think we tax payers are getting a lot for our investment in our students and schools in Berkeley County.”
Berkeley County School Board Member Mac McQuillin was one of three Board representatives to oppose the tax increase.
“I voted against the tax increase because I was not comfortable that the maximum amount of our tax dollars were being used to support students and teachers in the classroom,” said McQuillin, a Daniel Island resident. “I believe we can do more to ensure that students and teachers are the main beneficiaries.”
As one reason for his disapproval of the tax increase, McQuillin cited the Board’s recent decision to restore Old Berkeley High School, a condemned building in Moncks Corner, for a new boardroom.
“I do not believe that spending millions of dollars on a new boardroom, as opposed to classrooms, is a wise use of our tax dollars,” he said. “There is no question we need funds to build new schools, attract the best teachers, and improve educational experiences for our children. However, I see little to no direct benefit to students and teachers from spending millions of dollars on a new boardroom.”
McQuillin also noted that he does support certain items in the budget, such as teacher salary increases and funding for the opening of the new Philip Simmons’ schools. 
The Berkeley County Council also recently passed a 2016-2017 budget, approving the spending of some $70 million on government operations and services, including a provision to increase mosquito abatement staff and resources. Councilman Josh Whitley of Daniel Island said he was “extremely pleased” with the budget and the fact that council elected not to increase taxes.
“We amended it, for the first time in history that folks are aware of, 29 times to make sure it includes the things we wanted to see addressed,” added Whitley. “…We cut millions in spending while increasing our Sheriff protection and his budget, which includes a new community action deputy in our district…We also set aside money so that we can properly compensate our employees and retain them…I am very positive about this budget, and that we didn’t raise taxes.”
That’s significant, continued Whitley, particularly because the district’s primary source of revenue is ad valorem taxes, which are levied based on the value of property. 
“When the County and School District tax one’s property, home, car or boat, it’s not an equal flat tax,” he said. “It’s based on value of property. Our properties on Daniel Island are so much higher than most in the rest of the county that we end up paying a disproportionate share…It was very important to me, as County Councilman for District 2, that before we ever raise taxes, we squeeze blood out of a turnip, and we did.”
When Berkeley County residents receive their tax bills this October, they will also see new information intended to improve transparency. According to Whitley, Council voted unanimously to add to the bills the names and phone numbers of all Berkeley County School District representatives who voted in favor of the four mills tax increase.   
“It’s called the Transparency Amendment and it applies to both County Council and the School District,” stated Whitley. “Whoever raises millage will have to answer for that tax increase. It could be well justified, but it shows transparency. When elected officials raise taxes they need to be accountable.”
“I am not concerned with what County Council feels they must do to make themselves feel good” said Hayes, when asked for his reaction to Council’s decision. “…I have a job to do for the schools and from what I see, the School District is looking good. By the way, all school board members' names and phone numbers are already on the district website for anyone to see.”
“I am always in favor of transparency,” added McQuillin. “However, I was unaware of Council’s decision at the time I voted against the budget. It did not play a role in my vote.”

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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