13% JIPSD Tax Hike on Property Tax Bill

The combined Charleston County property tax bills arrived in Island mailboxes in October. The James Island Public Service District increased its property tax by 13%. For the first time, JIPSD homeowners pay more than in the City of Charleston—3% more. Three-fourths of this year’s total property tax increase is due to the JIPSD, with their share of a homeowner’s property tax bill rising to more than 49%.

The Commissioners voted 4-2 for the double-digit tax hike this June. After a public hearing that saw a huge turn out of James Islanders speaking in opposition, Commissioners Donald Hollingsworth, Kay Kernodle, and William “Cubby” Wilder joined Chair Engelman in voting for the tax increase without discussion. Commissioner Inez Brown-Crouch and Commissioner Woolsey voted no and spoke out against the excessive tax increase.

Most of the added tax revenue will be used to pay back with interest money the JIPSD plans to borrow next year to build a new $8 million fire station, costing more than twice as much as new fire stations recently built by the Cities of Charleston and North Charleston. With slightly less than half of the total Island population, the JIPSD will have four fire stations while the City of Charleston will have two fire stations on James Island.

Town of James Island property tax was unchanged this year. Because of a 100% credit, the amount paid to the Town remains zero, but the JIPSD continues to collect its rising property tax in the Town as well as the unincorporated area. James Island Town Council has no power to review or limit JIPSD property tax increases. It is solely the responsibility of the elected JIPSD Commissioners.

City of Charleston millage is higher than in the JIPSD, but the amount of tax paid is lower in the City because of its tax credit. The Town offered to work with the JIPSD to allow for a credit against JIPSD taxes in the Town. The response was an insult-laced letter signed by Commissioners Hollingsworth, Kernodle and Wilder, in effect throwing away the Town’s offer of up to $1 million in aid. Efforts by Commissioner Inez Brown-Crouch and Commissioner Woolsey to bring up the offer for discussion met with a motion to table from Commissioner Hollingsworth. Commissioners Kernodle and Wilder joined Chair Engelman in blocking all discussion. The final word from Commissioner Wilder was that the JIPSD has no interest in working with the Town to save the taxpayers’ money. The bottom line—Commission insiders are just too proud to accept the Town’s help.

Look at your new property tax bill.

Do you want business as usual? The JIPSD plans to raise taxes up to 10% more over the next five years.

Commissioner Inez Brown Crouch voted no on the tax hike. Along with
challengers Alan Laughlin, Marilyn Clifford, Keane Steele, and Meredith Poston, she understands the need to limit property tax increases and will work with the Town to save taxpayer money.

Let’s vote for a change