County Council votes to help Trident Tech

Charleston County Council has agreed, against the advice of the county's administrator, to help Trident Technical College fund a new, $30 million building for nursing and science classes.

The council's decision could put some pressure on Berkeley and Dorchester counties, which also are being asked to help pay for the building.

Charleston County is in the midst of several years of cost-cutting and faces a multi-million-dollar deficit in its upcoming budget.

The county would not spend general funds, but would use its borrowing power to issue $18 million in bonds, then add a special levy to property tax bills.

The college has requested $7.5 million from Berkeley County and $4.5 million from Dorchester. The amounts are based upon the proportion of students from each county.

The estimated impact for a Charleston County property owner would be 60 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value, which works out to $3.60 yearly on an owner-occupied home valued at $150,000. Most other types of property are assessed at rates 50 percent higher.

The six council members voting for the plan said supporting the training of county residents for nursing jobs that are in high demand would help the economy and the region. Council members Dickie Schweers and Joe McKeown were opposed, and Schweers cited the administrator's recommendation against the plan.

"I think the project is worthwhile, but I don't think we should fund it," Schweers said.

Administrator Allen O'Neal told a council committee Thursday that Trident's plan would reduce the county's borrowing capacity and raise property taxes.

In addition to Schweers and McKeown, Councilman Paul Thurmond opposed the plan at the committee meeting last week, but he was absent at Tuesday's council meeting.

"If we're serious about education, we need to put our money where our mouth is," said Council Chairman Teddie Pryor, who voted for the Trident plan along with Colleen Condon, Henry Darby, Curtis Inabinett, Vic Rawl, and Elliott Summey.

"What you have done tonight will help hundreds of nurses graduate from the program and get jobs in area hospitals," said Bobby Clair, chairman of the executive committee of Trident's board of trustees.

In other business Thursday, the council agreed to these actions:

Seeking funding for a $155 million package of North Charleston road improvements around Charleston International Airport, and proceeding with aspects of the plan for which funding is available.

Changes to the Harbor View Road widening project, to reduce the amount of land that will be taken along side streets to provide for turns. The change will mean the county won't need to buy or take as much land from property owners at the intersections slated for work, along side streets connecting to Harbor View Road, and will reduce the project cost by an estimated $53,000.

Awarding a $4.3 million contract for changes to the Glenn McConnell Parkway between Interstate 526 and Orleans Road in West Ashley, to Sanders Brothers Construction of North Charleston.

Awarding a nearly $3.7 million contract to Gulf Stream Construction for road improvements on Courtenay Drive near MUSC in Charleston.

Editor's note: Earlier published versions of this story misstated the conditions under which the council will borrow $18 million Trident Technical College's behalf. The funding is not dependent on any other funding. The Post and Courier regrets the error.