Three Commissioners from the James Island PSD and two members of James Island Town Council met tonight. From the JIPSD were Commissioners Carter McMillan, Inez Brown Crouch and Rod Welch. Councilmen Leonard Blank and Troy Mullinax represented the Town along with myself. Our Town Administrator, Ashley Kellahan, was there as well.
Councilwoman Berry could not attend due to a previous engagement and Councilman Kernodle didn't respond. Commissioners Waring and Platt had said they were coming, but didn't show up. I personally invited Commission Chair Engelman to attend, but he refused. Commission Vice-Chair Hollingsworth didn't respond.
We discussed the Local Option Sales Tax Credit. Commissioner Welch stated that the majority of Commissioners opposed helping the Town provide a tax credit. He cited legal concerns. He also said that it was just silly to think that the District would give up any power over its revenue source. (This was his way of describing the District's power to take money out of the pockets of taxpayers in the Town.) Commissioner McMillan pointed out that he was the one Commissioner who had voted to work with the Town to provide a tax credit. Commissioner Brown Crouch said that rather than the JIPSD just sending letters to the Town saying no, we should have been meeting to discuss these issues months ago. (Commissioner Welch said that the vote to oppose helping the Town was 6 to 1, but really it was 5 to 1 with one abstention. Commissioner Brown Crouch abstained.)
I reported that the Town has asked Attorney General Wilson for an opinion about the legal concerns raised by the JIPSD. Unfortunately, Commissioner Welch made it clear that even if the Attorney General provides an opinion that an agreement between the Town and the JIPSD was legal, he will still oppose working with the Town on a tax credit.
We then discussed the provision of services by the JIPSD to the Town. I explained that the Town has no plan to take over the provision of services from the JIPSD. Councilmen Blank and Mullinax said that it has never been discussed. I reported on my discussion with Councilwoman Berry who said she didn't support taking over the provision of services from the JIPSD.
I said that I was especially troubled that James Island PSD workers had been told that the Town plans to take over the JIPSD and fire the employees. Commissioner Welch said that he had never heard anyone say that. I told him that I asked the JIPSD sanitation worker picking up garbage at my house, and that he said they had been told that the Town was going to close down the JIPSD and fire them. Councilman Blank reported the same experience. The Commissioners agreed to share with their workers that the Town had no such plan.
We discussed the legislation before the South Carolina Senate to reunite the Town. I distributed the amended version of the bill and said that I appreciated that Trent Kernodle, the JIPSD lawyer, was now supporting the amended bill. I asked why this didn't happen months ago. Commissioner Welch said that Commissioners knew nothing about the bill before it was filed. I pointed out that I had met with 5 of the 7 Commissioners explaining the bill before it was filed. And it was filed more than a year ago. I asked why the JIPSD Commissioners didn't explain what problems they had with the bill and propose changes months ago. Commission Welch said that they didn't know about the bill until just recently and came up with helpful changes. I pointed out that they discussed the bill last summer when they attacked Representative McCoy and Senator Thurmond for not coming to them first. At that time Commissioner Hollingsworth and Commissioner Waring claimed that the bill would allow the Town to close down the JIPSD. Commissioner Welch stuck with his position that the JIPSD became aware of the bill just recently and made helpful suggestions to improve the bill.
Commissioner McMillan, who has been working to help reunite the Town all along, asked what could they do now to get the bill passed. Commissioner Welch said that he had to carefully review the current version of the bill to determine if he would support it.
Commissioner Brown Crouch suggested regular joint meetings. Commissioner Welch said that he thought that the Town was doing just fine and really had nothing to say to the Town. But he also said he was open to meetings when necessary. He saw no value in having meetings just for meetings sake. Commissioner McMillan suggested that we send representatives to each others meetings. Commissioner Welch agreed to bring it up with the other Commissioners whether we would have regular joint meetings in the future.
On the whole, I think it was a productive and informative meeting. Commissioners McMillan and Brown Crouch have proven records of supporting the Town. Please thank them when you see them. I also appreciate that Commissioner Welch came to the meeting.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Senate Bill 723 Passes Senate Judiciary Committee
Senate Bill 723 was before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday afternoon. It was amended to require an initial referendum in the remainder of the public service district to be paid for by the municipality. The amended version received a favorable recommendation by a vote of 14 to 6. It could go to the Senate floor in a matter of days.
Mayor Pro-tem Leonard Blank, Town Administrator Ashley Kellahan, JIPSD Commissioner Carter McMillan and I all drove up together. JIPSD Attorney Trent Kernodle and his wife Kay were there as well.
There were many bills on the agenda. The Chairman, Senator Martin, said that if anyone had any objection to any bill, they should say so right away so that they would be carried over. That means they will postpone consideration and go right to bills where there is no controversy. Immediately, Senators raised objections to various bills, and "without objection," they carried them over. From what the Chairman said, it seemed to me that meant the bill was dead for this year, and maybe forever.
Then came Senate Bill 723. Senator Scott of Richland County said he objected to our bill. The Chair then said that "without objection," the bill should be "carried over."
Senator Thurmond objected. He said that we should debate the bill now. He pointed out that there were people here who had driven for hours multiple times (us,) and the Committee should vote on it. He said that the Committee should send it to the Senate floor. Senator Kimpson, from Charleston, said that he objected to the bill as well. (Senator Kimpson recently replaced Senator Robert Ford.)
Senator Thurmond said that there had been several subcommittee meetings and that the subcommittee had resolved all of the problems different interest groups had with the bill other than the Coastal Conservation League.
The Senators raising the objections didn't have any specific problems with the bill. Senator Scott had concerns with annexation in Richland County and wanted someone to explain the bill. Senator Kimpson said that he had some calls in opposition to the bill, but said nothing about what concerns were raised.
Senator Massey of Aiken County, who had chaired the subcommittee, explained the bill. He did a good job. Thank you Senator Massey.
Senator Chip Campsen, who represents the southern part of James Island and is also on the Judiciary Committee, spoke out in favor of the bill. He spoke in support of reuniting the Town of James Island. He said that he had worked with Senator McConnell to get the bills passed that allowed the Town to be reincorporated. He explained that this was the fourth time the Town was incorporated but that a substantial part of the Town was left out. He explained that this bill had a rational basis and so should survive a court challenge.
Please thank Senator Thurmond and Senator Campsen for their support.
While the bill received a favorable recommendation, there will be a minority report opposing the bill. This means it goes onto the contested agenda. It was always going to be difficult to get it to pass the full Senate, but it will be even more challenging now.
After the vote, the James Islanders left the Committee meeting room. The Judiciary Committee continued on to other items on its agenda. Our group went around the corner to talk to our lawyer, Danny Crowe. After a bit, I looked back, there was a Senate staffer, Paula Benson and Trent Kernodle trying to explain the bill to Senator Scott, who had objected. While they were talking, Senator Kimpson appeared. He had also objected. I introduced myself and told him I would be glad to talk to him about the bill. He said that he would talk to his good friend Senator Thurmond about the bill. I asked him who called him in opposition. He said it was the Coastal Conservation League and then two people from James Island. I exchanged contact information with his staffer. By that time, Senator Scott had gone back to the meeting room, so I didn't get a chance to speak to him. Sentator Kimpson also spoke briefly to Trent Kernodle and exchanged contact information.
I really appreciate that the JIPSD's attorney, Trent Kernodle, is helping make this bill work. Please give him a big thank you.
Representative McCoy will be amending the House version of the bill to make it consistent with the Senate version and has asked for a committee hearing in the House. I guess we will all be making the trek to Columbia another time.
What will the bill do?
If the bill passes, then after January1, 2016, the James Island Public Service District Commissioners can hold a public hearing, and then petition the Town of James Island to annex the remainder of the District. There would be a referendum in those parts of the James Island Public Service District that are not currently in the Town. That would include all the areas the Town lost in 2011--Riverland Terrace, Woodland Shores, Central Park, Laurel Park, Dogwood Park, Sucessionville, Grimball, Riverside, Sol Legare, and Oak Island. If the majority vote to rejoin the Town, then the Town is reunited. The JIPSD would continue to provide fire protection, solid waste collection, and sewer service within the reunited Town. Voters in the reunited Town would continue to vote for JIPSD Commissioners as well as Town Council and Mayor. Any move to reorganize so that the Town provides some or all of those services would require another referendum by the voters of the entire reunited Town.
For this to pass the Senate, we will need your help. Please watch for more information.
Mayor Pro-tem Leonard Blank, Town Administrator Ashley Kellahan, JIPSD Commissioner Carter McMillan and I all drove up together. JIPSD Attorney Trent Kernodle and his wife Kay were there as well.
There were many bills on the agenda. The Chairman, Senator Martin, said that if anyone had any objection to any bill, they should say so right away so that they would be carried over. That means they will postpone consideration and go right to bills where there is no controversy. Immediately, Senators raised objections to various bills, and "without objection," they carried them over. From what the Chairman said, it seemed to me that meant the bill was dead for this year, and maybe forever.
Then came Senate Bill 723. Senator Scott of Richland County said he objected to our bill. The Chair then said that "without objection," the bill should be "carried over."
Senator Thurmond objected. He said that we should debate the bill now. He pointed out that there were people here who had driven for hours multiple times (us,) and the Committee should vote on it. He said that the Committee should send it to the Senate floor. Senator Kimpson, from Charleston, said that he objected to the bill as well. (Senator Kimpson recently replaced Senator Robert Ford.)
Senator Thurmond said that there had been several subcommittee meetings and that the subcommittee had resolved all of the problems different interest groups had with the bill other than the Coastal Conservation League.
The Senators raising the objections didn't have any specific problems with the bill. Senator Scott had concerns with annexation in Richland County and wanted someone to explain the bill. Senator Kimpson said that he had some calls in opposition to the bill, but said nothing about what concerns were raised.
Senator Massey of Aiken County, who had chaired the subcommittee, explained the bill. He did a good job. Thank you Senator Massey.
Senator Chip Campsen, who represents the southern part of James Island and is also on the Judiciary Committee, spoke out in favor of the bill. He spoke in support of reuniting the Town of James Island. He said that he had worked with Senator McConnell to get the bills passed that allowed the Town to be reincorporated. He explained that this was the fourth time the Town was incorporated but that a substantial part of the Town was left out. He explained that this bill had a rational basis and so should survive a court challenge.
Please thank Senator Thurmond and Senator Campsen for their support.
While the bill received a favorable recommendation, there will be a minority report opposing the bill. This means it goes onto the contested agenda. It was always going to be difficult to get it to pass the full Senate, but it will be even more challenging now.
After the vote, the James Islanders left the Committee meeting room. The Judiciary Committee continued on to other items on its agenda. Our group went around the corner to talk to our lawyer, Danny Crowe. After a bit, I looked back, there was a Senate staffer, Paula Benson and Trent Kernodle trying to explain the bill to Senator Scott, who had objected. While they were talking, Senator Kimpson appeared. He had also objected. I introduced myself and told him I would be glad to talk to him about the bill. He said that he would talk to his good friend Senator Thurmond about the bill. I asked him who called him in opposition. He said it was the Coastal Conservation League and then two people from James Island. I exchanged contact information with his staffer. By that time, Senator Scott had gone back to the meeting room, so I didn't get a chance to speak to him. Sentator Kimpson also spoke briefly to Trent Kernodle and exchanged contact information.
I really appreciate that the JIPSD's attorney, Trent Kernodle, is helping make this bill work. Please give him a big thank you.
Representative McCoy will be amending the House version of the bill to make it consistent with the Senate version and has asked for a committee hearing in the House. I guess we will all be making the trek to Columbia another time.
What will the bill do?
If the bill passes, then after January1, 2016, the James Island Public Service District Commissioners can hold a public hearing, and then petition the Town of James Island to annex the remainder of the District. There would be a referendum in those parts of the James Island Public Service District that are not currently in the Town. That would include all the areas the Town lost in 2011--Riverland Terrace, Woodland Shores, Central Park, Laurel Park, Dogwood Park, Sucessionville, Grimball, Riverside, Sol Legare, and Oak Island. If the majority vote to rejoin the Town, then the Town is reunited. The JIPSD would continue to provide fire protection, solid waste collection, and sewer service within the reunited Town. Voters in the reunited Town would continue to vote for JIPSD Commissioners as well as Town Council and Mayor. Any move to reorganize so that the Town provides some or all of those services would require another referendum by the voters of the entire reunited Town.
For this to pass the Senate, we will need your help. Please watch for more information.
Dills Bluff/Camp Road Complete
The intersection of Dills Bluff and Camp Road is complete. The stoplight is on. Dills Bluff Road is open. The James Island Public Service District has completed its work on the sewer pipe. There are some needed repairs to manholes, but there should be no more road closures or detours.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Draft Agenda for Joint Town/JIPSD Meeting
Draft Agenda
Town of James
Island/James Island Public Service District
Joint Meeting
Wednesday, April 9,
2014 at 7:00 PM
James Island Town Hall
James Island Town Hall
- LOST Tax Credit Proposals
- Provision of Services by JIPSD
- Annexation Legislation to reunite the Town
- Improved Communications between JIPSD and Town.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Mayor and Council Salaries
Second reading on an ordinance providing for a salary for Council and Mayor is scheduled for the April 17 meeting of Council. The ordinance returns Council salaries to the level that existed in 2011, $8,500 per year. The Mayor's salary was $35,000 but I had only accepted $15,000. The ordinance proposes a Mayor's salary of $15,000. The total cost for 4 members of Council and the Mayor is $49,000 per year.
As any small businessman would know, the pay is only part of the employer cost. We have to pay the employer's share of social security and medicare taxes. Because the Town participates in the South Carolina retirement system, paid elected officials must be included too. So the Town must pay its share of retirement. Because the Town participates in the State Health Plan, regulations require that elected officials be offered the same health insurance benefits as other employees. The Town must pay the employer's share. Like other employees, elected officials will also have deductions from their paychecks. The Town has budgeted $36,000 per year to cover those expenses, though our actual expense will depend on whether the elected officials opt for health insurance and their family situation. State Insurance system regulations require a higher contribution for employee and spouse, and a still higher contribution for employee, spouse, and children. (Before I became Mayor, there was a major debate in the Town about health insurance for elected officials. The Town debated whether elected officials were full time or part time. Apparently, we just missed the regulation that requires coverage for elected officials.)
Back in 2002, when I was on Council, I opposed any salary or benefits for Mayor and Council. While most municipalities in South Carolina pay elected officials, not all do. For example, Kiawah and Seabrook have no pay for elected officials. However, when I was elected Mayor in 2010, I didn't try to get rid of salaries. The ordinance at the time said that no one had to accept all of their salary, and so I reduced what I accepted to something I considered more reasonable.
State law only allows salary increases for elected officials after at least two members of Council have stood for reelection. Our interpretation has always been that there is no compensation--salary or benefits--for the first two years after each of our now four incorporations. If the Mayor and Council first elected with each new incorporation choose to pass an ordinance providing for salaries for elected officials, then it will apply after the election state law requires after two years.
Councilman Kernodle's very first initiative, in September of 2012, was to propose benefits for all of our employees, including the elected officials and also a salary for Mayor and Council. By that point, the Town had already applied to rejoin the South Carolina Retirement System and Health Plan. Our Town Clerk had started that process during her first week of work in August. However, I explained that these benefits only apply if Council is compensated, and compensation for Council is only possible after two years. My view was that there was no reason to deal with this issue first thing. While there was a bit of pushback, in the end, Council was willing to wait.
Now that we are in the process of passing a budget for 2014-2015, if there are to be salaries for elected officials, funds must be included to pay them, along with the mandated benefits As part of a review of salaries for all of town staff, the Town Administrator looked at salaries for Council and Mayor in other municipalities. My discussions with members of Council showed strong support for raising salaries compared to what they were in 2011. My goal then became holding the line on salaries. I was pleasantly surprised at the budget workshop and at the first reading of the salary ordinance that there was no pushback against this proposal to keep salaries for elected officials the same as they were in 2011.
If you have any questions or concerns, email me at mayorwoolsey@gmail.com or else call 697-7020.
As any small businessman would know, the pay is only part of the employer cost. We have to pay the employer's share of social security and medicare taxes. Because the Town participates in the South Carolina retirement system, paid elected officials must be included too. So the Town must pay its share of retirement. Because the Town participates in the State Health Plan, regulations require that elected officials be offered the same health insurance benefits as other employees. The Town must pay the employer's share. Like other employees, elected officials will also have deductions from their paychecks. The Town has budgeted $36,000 per year to cover those expenses, though our actual expense will depend on whether the elected officials opt for health insurance and their family situation. State Insurance system regulations require a higher contribution for employee and spouse, and a still higher contribution for employee, spouse, and children. (Before I became Mayor, there was a major debate in the Town about health insurance for elected officials. The Town debated whether elected officials were full time or part time. Apparently, we just missed the regulation that requires coverage for elected officials.)
Back in 2002, when I was on Council, I opposed any salary or benefits for Mayor and Council. While most municipalities in South Carolina pay elected officials, not all do. For example, Kiawah and Seabrook have no pay for elected officials. However, when I was elected Mayor in 2010, I didn't try to get rid of salaries. The ordinance at the time said that no one had to accept all of their salary, and so I reduced what I accepted to something I considered more reasonable.
State law only allows salary increases for elected officials after at least two members of Council have stood for reelection. Our interpretation has always been that there is no compensation--salary or benefits--for the first two years after each of our now four incorporations. If the Mayor and Council first elected with each new incorporation choose to pass an ordinance providing for salaries for elected officials, then it will apply after the election state law requires after two years.
Councilman Kernodle's very first initiative, in September of 2012, was to propose benefits for all of our employees, including the elected officials and also a salary for Mayor and Council. By that point, the Town had already applied to rejoin the South Carolina Retirement System and Health Plan. Our Town Clerk had started that process during her first week of work in August. However, I explained that these benefits only apply if Council is compensated, and compensation for Council is only possible after two years. My view was that there was no reason to deal with this issue first thing. While there was a bit of pushback, in the end, Council was willing to wait.
Now that we are in the process of passing a budget for 2014-2015, if there are to be salaries for elected officials, funds must be included to pay them, along with the mandated benefits As part of a review of salaries for all of town staff, the Town Administrator looked at salaries for Council and Mayor in other municipalities. My discussions with members of Council showed strong support for raising salaries compared to what they were in 2011. My goal then became holding the line on salaries. I was pleasantly surprised at the budget workshop and at the first reading of the salary ordinance that there was no pushback against this proposal to keep salaries for elected officials the same as they were in 2011.
If you have any questions or concerns, email me at mayorwoolsey@gmail.com or else call 697-7020.
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