A majority of seats on the James Island Public Service District (JIPSD) Commission are up for election on November 6, 2018. Filing closed on Wednesday at noon.
All four incumbents are seeking reelection:
Inez Brown Crouch
Kay Kernodle
William "Cubby" Wilder
Donald Hollingsworth
There are five challengers:
Alan Laughlin
Meredith Poston
Keane Steele
Marilyn Clifford
Ronald Ladson
The JIPSD Commission is independent of the Town of James Island and Charleston County. The JIPSD provides fire protection and solid waste collection and it also operates the sewer system in the Town and the unincorporated area of James Island. The Commissioners collect property tax for fire protection and solid waste collection. They collect sewer fees for waste water.
Taxpayers in the Town and the unincorporated area of James Island receive a consolidated property tax bill from Charleston County. The JIPSD collects approximately half of the property tax from a homeowner. After their recent 13% property tax hike, it is likely that their share will increase to slightly more than 50%.
Commissioners Kernodle, Wilder, and Hollingsworth all voted in favor of the property tax increase. Commissioner Brown-Crouch voted against.
