Charleston County likely escapes tax hike

It looks like there again won't be a tax increase this year for Charleston County taxpayers, but by 2010 it might be inevitable, County Administrator Mack Canterbury said.

And one councilman, Teddie Pryor, argued Thursday night that Council shouldn't continue to postpone what could be a substantial tax increase.

Council gave initial approval 7-1 during its Finance Committee meeting to not raise taxes for the 13th consecutive year. Pryor voted no, and Councilman Curtis Inabinett was absent for the vote.

The meeting kicked off a series of council budget planning sessions.

County staff presented their initial recommendations for the 2009 budget, including ways to prevent a tax increase and funding for 52 new public defenders that are state-mandated and the county's responsibility to fund.

The $171.2 million budget reflects a 1.4 percent, or $5.2 million, increase in county expenses from last year. Leaders from various departments found ways to be more efficient and not hire more people. Council members praised staff for restraining the county's costs at a rate lower than the current rate of inflation of 4.4 percent.

But four budgetary issues were of concern among council members:

--Rising fuel costs for county vehicles are taking a toll. The county will spend an estimated $800,000 more next year for fuel.

--The Charleston Animal Society could approach council asking for more funding to operate its new, bigger animal shelter. The county contracts with the animal society to handle stray animals. Council recently approved a $1.2 million contribution toward paying for the new shelter, and Pryor and Councilmen Paul Thurmond and Curtis Bostic suggested they wouldn't support giving more money.

--Judging from the lengthy discussion council members had about possible inequities in county employees' salaries, a proposed 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase could change over the next several weeks. Councilman Henry Darby argued an across-the-board adjustment would be unfair, because lower-level employees would benefit less than top paid staffers. He suggested the increases be based on a pay scale. "If there's a way that we can help those at the very bottom, I think we ought to," Darby said.

--Pryor said they are "prolonging agony" by not raising taxes for another year. Canterbury cautioned council that a "substantial revenue boost" will be needed in 2010 when the expanded county Detention Center is up and running, because it'll cost the county more to run the new jail. Council could raise taxes or cut services, Canterbury said.

Pryor said he viewed some council members' opposition to raising taxes as political moves. Three council members are up for re-election, and Council Chairman Tim Scott is seeking the state House District 117 seat.

But Councilman Curtis Bostic, the incumbent running in Council's District 6 race, said that's not the case. "It has nothing to do with politics," Bostic said. "It has everything to do with philosophy."

Scott said he has always supported not raising taxes but instead restricting services.