Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Officials for Barnwell County and its municipalities invite residents to learn how their pennies have the potential to create progress.
Local mayors along with town council members and county council members are hosting four community information meetings in September to inform and educate citizens on the Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST) referendum.
This is in advance of the November 5 general election where voters will decide whether to approve the CPST – or penny tax – that will fund various projects around the county.
"Everyone from the local, county, and commission level has worked hard to determine needed projects and costs of those projects that will appear on the ballot. It has been an awesome collaboration between all elected officials in our county. While we cannot encourage or discourage how an individual should vote, it is our hope that the meetings will help our citizens understand the great impact that these funds can have in our towns and county. These funds have the potential to greatly improve safety and security while also allowing our communities' livelihood to thrive,” said Hilda Mayor April Hutto.
If passed, the projected total collection county-wide would be $17,780,062.
This total will be allocated between the county and municipalities based on population. Much of the funding will be bonded to the county and municipalities, allowing multiple projects in each area to begin simultaneously and mitigating the future costs of inflation.
“The Capital Project Sales Tax helps fund projects such as purchasing police cars, improving infrastructure, security and the quality of life throughout our county that are necessary without increasing tax rates or service rates in the municipalities. In fact, the very first item for the City of Barnwell is a project that will reduce taxes for the citizens who reside or own property within the city limits of Barnwell,” said Barnwell Mayor Ron Still of paying off the new fire station.
The county and each of the seven municipalities selected projects for their allotted portion of the CPST funds. That allotment is based on population.
“The Capital Project Sales Tax II will fund vital projects across Barnwell County, including a new animal shelter, landfill upgrades, and several other initiatives identified by our municipalities. This list also includes a versatile amphitheater on Lake Edgar Brown, which will serve as a hub for community events and enhance quality of life,” said Barnwell County Councilman Daniel Alexander of some of the county’s projects. “I encourage all residents to
attend these meetings to learn about these projects and how they’re funded by sales tax rather than property tax. Your involvement is greatly appreciated as we work together to shape the future of Barnwell County.”
This CPST, if approved, would not be a new tax. Rather, it would be a continuation of the 8-year CPST passed by voters in 2016 that is set to expire soon. The 2016 CPST has funded a new police station in Barnwell, the splash pad at Fuller Park, a new town hall in Kline, water system improvements, and courthouse improvements, just to name a few.
“Each of us that live in Barnwell County have been paying this one cent tax for the last eight years. This is by far the fairest tax because everyone pays the one cent tax on any purchases made, regardless if you live here or just happen to be passing through,” said Mayor Still.
Over the past seven years, Williston Mayor Brett Williams said the CPST has been “instrumental in aligning and funding several upcoming projects that will greatly benefit our community. The CPST is crucial because it helps to reduce the financial strain on our residents by minimizing the need for fee and property tax increases. The CPST provides our municipality with vital opportunities to fund essential projects that enhance infrastructure, implement upgrades, and adopt new technologies to improve our services. As mayor of Williston, I strongly support the CPST as a means to alleviate the need for fee and property tax increases that would otherwise burden our residents.”
Blackville Mayor Ronnie Pernell said he believes the CPST is the “fairest and easiest way that the municipalities within Barnwell County can improve the lives of their citizens. This tax will provide funds to the municipalities that will aid in economic growth that will improve our water and sewage systems, the removal of blighted areas, buying equipment that are desperately needed, upgrading recreation facilities and many more things within our respective communities.”
Mayor Williams encourages all residents to participate in the upcoming meetings which will “provide an overview of the proposed projects and offer insight into how they will positively impact our community.”
“It is important for our citizens throughout the county to attend at least one of the CPST meetings to get a clear understanding of what the Capital Project Sales Tax actually is and how important the Capital Project Sales Tax is to all the municipalities in Barnwell County to help maintain the security and the safety of our citizens,” said Mayor Still.
These meetings are the perfect time for residents to ask questions about the CPST.
