Council plans to hold line on taxes, fees

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Despite a difficult economy, the town does not intend to raise property taxes and business license fees or cut services to balance its budget, Mayor Billy Swails said Tuesday.

"There are thousands of our citizens who are struggling to meet a payroll and to pay their mortgage. We are going to do everything possible to avoid adding to that burden," Swails said in his first State of the Town address.

The town, which has a $12 million savings account, a $63 million budget and a population of 66,000, has grown rapidly to become the fourth-largest municipality in the state. In 1986, its budget was $3.5 million and 22,000 people lived in Mount Pleasant.

"The town itself is in an excellent position financially," Swails said. "We will live within our means. It will be a tight budget but we don't anticipate any change our in services. We have frozen 33 positions, but I believe we'll be able to weather the storm without any furloughs or layoffs."

Swails, 62, a former councilman and a State Farm insurance agent, became mayor in November after winning a three-way race against former Councilmen Gary Santos and Joe Bustos. Swails received 45 percent of the vote. He took office with four new council members: Linda Page, Elton Carrier, Craig Rhyne and John Burn. Incumbent council members Paul Gawrych, Thomasena Stokes-Marshall, Nick Collins and Ken Glasson endorsed Swails for mayor.

"After three months, I am convinced we have a group of hard-working council members who have no personal agendas other than the advancement of this town for the benefit of our citizens," Swails said.

Business growth is needed for the town to maintain its high level of service to residents, Swails said. Two years ago, council suspended its residential building permit cap program because new home growth had dropped below 3 percent.

"We simply cannot sustain the quality services our citizens desire based on the revenues produced by a residential tax base," he said.

Toward that end, the town has aggressively courted suppliers for Boeing's new $750 million 787 Dreamliner plant in North Charleston. "We've had some very encouraging meetings with representatives of Boeing," he said.

But business growth will happen without sacrificing quality of life in the town, he said. Most of it will be "infill" to already developed areas. Development of Patriots Point and Central Mount Pleasant, redevelopment of Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, expansion of the Market at Oakland and the continued success of Towne Centre are key to the town's future, he said.

"Everything is positive at Town Hall, and we will work hard to translate this attitude to our business community and our residents," he said. "Every member of this council is committed to a town government that does everything possible to make this a community that is friendly to business retention and recruitment."

The town has set aside funds for projects to improve the quality of life of its residents and assist with economic recovery. The most important of them is widening U.S. Highway 17 north of the Isle of Palms connector to six lanes and improvements to Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, both of which are under way.

"With these two projects, along with construction of the overpass at I-526 and U.S. 17, and Phase I of Bowman Road, we will have our own economic stimulus program over the next four years that exceeds $150 million in expenditures," he said.

Funding for the road improvements will come from federal, state and county sources, as well as town funds, such as developer-impact fees, tax- increment financing funds and hospitality taxes.

Waterfront Park already has enjoyed more than 50,000 visitors, Patriots Point is working on an exciting master plan, Coleman Boulevard is on the cusp of an economic rebirth and the Farmers Market has far exceeded expectations, he said.

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The town's crime rate and taxes are low and two new hospitals will open by year's end. Town services are unparalleled, and Administrator Mac Burdette has helped to shape the town into the best community in the state, he said. Swails praised Burdette for his many accomplishments and his recent "Behind the Scenes Hero" award from the Charleston County School District. Burdette has been with the town 24 years and plans to retire at the end of the year.

Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@postandcourier.com.