Once a Week Garbage Service: JIPSD News.

I attended the JIPSD budget workshop on May 6.   The JIPSD staff presented their budget and the Commissioners discussed the proposal.

The JIPSD provides fire protection service and solid waste collection service for the Town.  They charge us 51 mils in operating property tax and 3 mils for debt service.   It adds up to a little more than $2.8 million per year.

This is a good bit less than what those in the City of Charleston pay, approximately 80 mils, but it is a good bit more than the millage of Folly Beach or the Town of Mount Pleasant.

Are we in the Town getting good value for our money?

Perhaps the biggest news from the workshop is that staff  proposed that garbage service be cut back to once a week.    They didn't propose this for the 2014-2015 budget year, but for the following year.   They estimate that they will save $370,000 per year.   On the other hand, they plan to borrow $600,000 to buy large garbage cans for everyone and more to refit the garbage trucks to pick up the large cans.

If they plan to cut back our service, how much will they cut back our taxes?

I'm sure you know the answer.  No tax cut was proposed.   It didn't cross their minds.

As the Commissioners went back and forth, I thought no one would even mention the taxpayers and voters.

What do we think?  Don't the Commissioners work for us?

Finally, Commissioner Brown-Crouch mentioned the citizens.   And then, Commissioner Platt spoke up.    He pointed out that many James Islanders appreciate the twice a week service.

I often hear the same.   Many James Islanders point to the better service as a reason for supporting the Town and remaining in the JIPSD rather than annexing into the City of Charleston.

And we continue to see efforts by the City of Charleston to annex on James Island.   The City of Charleston will be holding a meeting at the Sons of Elijah Hall on Battery Island on  May 19.  Sussan Chavis, who is managing Anna Johnson's reelection campaign, has invited the City of Charleston to speak to residents from Sol Legare, Grimball, Battery Island, and Scott Hill about annexing into the City.

The JIPSD had a first reading on their budget last Monday, May 12.   Oddly enough, they voted on it before they had a public hearing!  They scheduled the public hearing for their June 9 meeting.   Is that to be their second and final vote on the budget?   (The Town held our public hearing before our first reading in April and completed the budget process with a second and final reading at our May meeting last Thursday.)

What do you think?   You should let the Commissioners know.   Make plans to attend their public hearing on June 9.   Or contact the Commissioners.

My question is, "If you are going to cut our services, how much will you cut our taxes?"