Dorchester 2 school budget plan could raise taxes for businesses

SUMMERVILLE — Dorchester County Council on Monday heard a school budget request that could raise taxes for businesses and gave second-reading approval to extending the moratorium on major new residential developments.

Dorchester District 2 officials want council to approve a 10 percent budget increase. The $143 million school budget is $13.7 million more than last year. To fund it, the county would have to collect an additional $7.6 million from businesses, according to the presentation, which council heard without action.

County Finance Director Lee Moulder said he has not yet calculated whether a commercial tax increase would be necessary to raise the extra money. It's possible the county's growth could raise the money without a tax increase, Council Chairman Larry Hargett said. The numbers will become clearer as council finalizes the budget, which must be approved by the end of June, he said.

The school budget does not include any owner-occupied residential property taxes from the county, thanks to a change in state law.

Most of the extra money the district is asking for would be spent on trying to keep more at-risk students in school, as well as buying another eight mobile classrooms to handle growth, Schools Superintendent Joe Pye said. "We're offering a bare-bones budget," Pye said.

The district projects 650 new students next year, compared with 900 to 1,000 a year the last several years.

In other business Monday, council voted 6-1 to give second- reading approval to extending the moratorium. Chris Murphy voted against it.

Council passed the six-month moratorium in December, and it expires June 10. Council is moving to extend it another 120 days. It applies to residential developments of at least 10 units in Dorchester District 2, which includes the Summerville area. Council plans a public hearing before the final vote June 2.

Reach Dave Munday at 745-5862 or dmunday@postand courier.com.