JIPSD Change--Brown-Crouch Reelected, Clifford, Poston, and Laughlin Win Seats

There was a major change at the James Island Public Service District.   Incumbent Inez Brown-Crouch was reelected.   Challengers Marilyn Clifford, Meredith Poston, and Alan Laughlin all won seats.   Incumbents Kay Kernodle, Donald Hollingsworth, and Bill "Cubby" Wilder all lost their bids for reelection. 

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

Rethink Folly Road News--Bike/Ped Improvements Move Foreward

The Rethink Folly Road Steering Committee met last week and received a report from the Reveer Group and Charleston County Transportation staff.   The staff recommendation was to construct an eight foot wide sidewalk on the west side of Folly Road between Ellis Creek and Pittsford Street.   Pittsford Street is the entrance into Queensborough next to Nativity Catholic Church.   The Committee voted to recommend that Charleston County Transportation go forward with that plan.

The Committee also accepted a proposal to look at re-striping Folly Road so that the width of the bike lanes will be consistent with national standards.   The tentative proposal will be for the bike lanes to be painted green to improve rider safety. 

The Committee also recommended moving forward with a RFQ (request for qualifications) for a firm to manage the Rethink Folly Road Plan.   The key goal will be to work with the businesses on Folly Road to promote improvements and also redevelopment consistent with the plan.

The goal is to make Folly Road a place where people will stop and shop and not just pass through.  The area should be friendly to those driving but also to bus riders, bikers, and pedestrians.

Vote Joe Boykin for County Council

I believe that Joe Boykin will be an excellent choice for James Islanders on Charleston County Council.   Joe lives on Johns Island where he has seen the consequences of severe development pressure first hand.   These problems are especially severe in the unincorporated areas of James Island included in District 8.  In recent years, Mayor Tecklenburg and the City of Charleston have made substantial progress is changing their past policy of encouraging high density development on James Island.  Unfortunately, Charleston County's regulation of the unincorporated has moved in the opposite direction, particularly on Folly Road between the Town of James Island and Folly Beach--an area in District 8.   I believe Joe Boykin will work with the Town of James Island and the City of Charleston to improve our quality of life and especially work to protect against flooding.   I urge all James Islanders, including the Town residents in in District 8, to vote for Joe Boykin for County Council.

Vote Jenny Honeycutt for Charleston County Council

Jenny Honeycutt will be an excellent County Council representative for James Island.   She is from James Island and a resident of the Town.   She is bright and articulate.   She listens to people and wants to solve problems.  I believe she will be a strong advocate for James Island and all of district 9 on County Council.   Please join me in voting for Jenny Honeycutt on Tuesday.   

Vote Peter McCoy for SC House of Representatives

Peter McCoy is a James Islander.   We can count on him to work for our community in Columbia.   He directed $200,000 of state funds to help with our new sidewalk on Dills Bluff and with the new Town.    Thank you.   He has always supported giving James Islanders in the unincorporated area the opportunity to vote to join the Town of James Island.    He has persuaded some of the political leadership of the state to support our effort.    When I have asked for his help with drainage issues on South Carolina Department of Transportation roads in the Town, he has always come through for us.   Please join me in voting to reelect Peter McCoy to the South Carolina House of Representatives.

September Meeting of James Island Public Service District