PRC, Council get feisty over use of $36M

The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission is used to flying under the radar, so long as it doesn't raise park fees or property taxes, but that was before the PRC had $36 million to spend.

Flush with money from the half-cent sales tax for buying new park land, the PRC has become the focus of a power struggle with County Council, and a dispute is brewing over who will appoint a new majority of commissioners this month.

County Council want the final say over which properties the PRC can buy with the money and voted itself that power Thursday night.

The move followed some political muscle-flexing last week, when council declined to pass the PRC's annual budget, needed to keep county parks open after June 30.

"In no way am I or council trying to declare war, we just insist that we have to be at the table," Councilwoman Colleen Condon said after last week's budget vote.

Council members said they want oversight of the $36 million in tax money for land purchases because they answer to voters, while PRC commissioners are appointed.

PRC Chairman Kevin Hollinshead had hoped commissioners could meet privately with council members to reassure that the funds are being handled appropriately. "The decision was hastily made," Hollinshead said after the 7-0 vote, with two council members absent.

Commissioner Robert New said Thursday he was OK with the change as long as council did not intend to micromanage the PRC's actions. "Then, we're talking about a recipe for disaster," he said.

While council and the PRC vie for control, the PRC members have themselves been divided on how to spend the money, particularly in the case of the proposed $8 million purchase of more than 1,500 acres of the proposed Long Savannah subdivision in West Ashley.

Commissioners deadlocked last week on whether to pursue the project before agreeing to offer $4 million, half the asking price.

Four of the commission's seven members are up for reappointment this month, which could break the deadlock on Long Savannah and decide the fate of other purchases.

A court decision has raised questions about whether council will appoint commissioners or be required to pass that right to Charleston's legislative delegation.

"Boy, would I feel vulnerable ... if we gave $36 million to a body for which we can't even make appointments," Councilman Joe McKeown said.

The $36 million comes from a half-cent sales tax referendum that voters approved in 2004 to fund transportation and land preservation. Hollinshead said the PRC helped convince voters to approve the referendum.

He said commissioners will meet June 25 to discuss their next move. Until they decide, they'll continue to move forward with land acquisitions, he said.

Robert Behre contributed to this story. Reach David Slade at dslade@postandcourier.com or 937-5552. Reach Tenisha Waldo at twaldo@postandcourier.com or 93