Mt. Pleasant council to consider utility franchise fee hike

MOUNT PLEASANT — A public hearing is scheduled Tuesday on a proposal to raise utility bills by an average of $48 per year to meet the town's budget needs.

The hearing will be at 7 p.m. in Town Council chambers at the Municipal Complex at 100 Ann Edwards Lane.

Town Council is considering raising the franchise fee for South Carolina Electric & Gas and Berkeley Electric Cooperative from 3 percent to 5 percent. Otherwise, the town would hike the property tax rate 6.7 percent. The higher tax rate would add $40 to the annual tax bill for a $400,000 home. The increased franchise fee would add $4 to a $200 monthly electric bill, officials said.

Either measure would generate an additional $1.4 million. Without more tax revenue, the town may have to cut its level of public services. Because of the economic recession, the town is taking steps to reduce expenses such as eliminating 40 staff positions through attrition. The town employs more than 500 people, officials said.

Read more in Tuesday's edition of The Post and Courier.

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