3. DISCUSSION / BEAUFORT COUNTY SALES TAX REFERENDUM. 4. DISCUSSION / MANDATORY DEVOLUTION OF STATE ROADS (backup)

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1 D. PAUL SOMMERVILLE CHAIRMAN GERALD W. STEWART VICE CHAIRMAN COUNCIL MEMBERS CYNTHIA M. BENSCH RICK CAPORALE GERALD DAWSON BRIAN E. FLEWELLING STEVEN G. FOBES ALICE G. HOWARD WILLIAM L. MCBRIDE STUART H. RODMAN ROBERTS TABOR VAUX COUNTY COUNCIL OF BEAUFORT COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BEAUFORT COUNTY GOVERNMENT ROBERT SMALLS COMPLEX 100 RIBAUT ROAD POST OFFICE DRAWER 1228 BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA TELEPHONE: (843) FAX: (843) AGENDA GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE (Includes Public Safety Division) Monday, April 6, :00 p.m. Executive Conference Room Administration Building Beaufort County Government Robert Smalls Complex 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort GARY T. KUBIC COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR JOSHUA A. GRUBER DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SPECIAL COUNSEL SUZANNE M. RAINEY CLERK TO COUNCIL Governmental Committee Members: Stu Rodman, Chairman Rick Caporale, Vice Chairman Cynthia Bensch Gerald Dawson Brian Flewelling Alice Howard Jerry Stewart Staff Liaison: Phil Foot, Assistant County Administrator Public Safety 1. CALL TO ORDER 4:00 P.M 2. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE WITH SENATOR TOM DAVIS 3. DISCUSSION / BEAUFORT COUNTY SALES TAX REFERENDUM 4. DISCUSSION / MANDATORY DEVOLUTION OF STATE ROADS (backup) 5. DISCUSSION / ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING: A. Reflections on Input from Municipalities at March 23 Work Session B. Alliances 6. CONSIDERATION OF REAPPOINTMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS A. Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority 7. ADJOURNMENT 2015 Strategic Plan Committee Assignments County Economic Development Policy Framework, Strategy and Action Plan Heritage / Historic Tourism Plan: Development, Action Plan Business License: Direction on Funding Source for Economic Development

RODMAN ROBERTS TABOR VAUX COUNTY COUNCIL OF BEAUFORT COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING BEAUFORT COUNTY GOVERNMENT ROBERT SMALLS COMPLEX 100 RIBAUT ROAD POST OFFICE DRAWER 1228 BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA

2 RESOLUTION 2015 / A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING STATE EFFORTS TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO THE FUNDING NEEDS FOR STATE MAINTAINED AND OPERATED ROADS AND BRIDGES WITHOUT TRANSFERRING THE BURDEN TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND OPPOSING ANY ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THROUGH LACK OF STATE FUNDING WILL LEAD TO INCREASED TAXES ON THE CITIZENS OF BEAUFORT COUNTY. WHEREAS, Beaufort County, along with the vast majority of citizens, acknowledges that South Carolina s infrastructure is in desperate need of repairs and funding sources; and WHEREAS, it is widely understood that the State has failed to sufficiently address and fund road and bridge projects over the years; and WHEREAS, only 10% of the non-federal aid eligible secondary roads assigned for transfer are in good condition while 90% are in fair or poor condition, and WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation is in a much better position to assess the needs and to perform the necessary maintenance on these roads in the state system, and WHEREAS, H claims that the dumping of State roads onto counties is optional and comes with adequate funding, but the option is left to the County Transportation Committee (CTC) and not the County Council and the proposed funding is insufficient to repair and maintain the nearly 19,000 miles of roads; and WHEREAS, devolving this authority onto an appointed body renders this legislation constitutionally suspect; and WHEREAS, if the CTC does not refuse the roads, then the County is forced to accept the financial responsibility, maintenance, and liability of the roads; and WHEREAS, the bill places too much power with the CTC, which is not liable or accountable to the taxpayers if the funding is insufficient or if the CTC elects to spend the money on other projects such as state-owned roads; and WHEREAS, insufficient funding would result in a potential local tax increase on County citizens to pay for maintenance and repair on the deteriorating roads; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Beaufort County Council that it is opposed to any legislative efforts to transfer state-owned roads to local governments and requests that all members of the South Carolina General Assembly refuse further consideration of any proposed legislation. DONE this day of April, COUNTY COUNCIL OF BEAUFORT COUNTY By: D. Paul Sommerville, Chairman

WHEREAS, Beaufort County, along with the vast majority of citizens, acknowledges that South Carolina s infrastructure is in desperate need of repairs and funding sources; and WHEREAS, it is widely

3 The document(s) herein were provided to Council for information and/or discussion after release of the official agenda and backup items.

5 RESOLUTION 2015/ A RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS BEAUFORT COUNTY S REQUEST THAT THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENACT LEGISLATION TO ALLOW COUNTY GOVERNMENTS THE ABILITY TO DEVELOP REFERENDA AND COLLECT LOCAL USE AND SALES TAXES TO SUPPORT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATIONS, TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS, TOURISM ADVERTISEMENT AND MARKETING, AND ALLEVIATE PROPERTY TAX LIABILITY WHEREAS, the South Carolina General Assembly enacted the Home Rule Act, Act No. 283 of 1975, granting certain, but limited, powers to the Local Government bodies across the State; and WHEREAS, the South Carolina General Assembly under various provisions under Title 4, Chapter 10 of the South Carolina Code Annotated allows for County Governments, upon referendum approval, to levy sales and use taxes for the support of capital improvements, school district operations, transportation improvements, tourism advertisement and marketing, and the alleviation of property tax liability; and WHEREAS, the diverse nature of the Beaufort County s population creates a broad spectrum of needs and competing interest when enacting local sales and use tax referenda; and WHEREAS, to satisfy the diverse needs of Counties across the State, County Governments need legislation to allow for the development of a referenda tailored to the specific needs of its constituents. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Beaufort County Council, duly assembled, urges the General Assembly to enact legislation to allow County Governments the ability to develop local sales and use tax referenda to best address the needs of their respective Counties. Adopted this day of April, 2015 COUNTY COUNCIL OF BEAUFORT COUNTY By: D. Paul Sommerville, Chairman APPROVED AS TO FORM: Joshua A. Gruber, Deputy County Administrator, Special Counsel

the South Carolina General Assembly enacted the Home Rule Act, Act No.

7 COUNTY & MUNICIPALITIES FUNDING RESOURCES: Department of Commerce Beaufort County Business License Tax Municipalities Contribution Private Contributions 1% Sales Tax Referendum Consensus of Participants at Governmental Meeting 1. Port Royal: Alliance with County 2. Beaufort: Alliance with County 3. Hilton Head: Consider mutual interests 4. Bluffton: Alliance with County How is Alliance Governed? a. Port Royal: Wants governing authority for direction and spending b. Beaufort : Wants governing authority for direction and spending c. Hilton Head: Wants governing authority for direction and spending d. Bluffton: Wants governing authority for direction and spending e. Beaufort County: Wants governing authority for direction & spending. What are State, National, International Contacts and Resources from each participant?

Bluffton: Alliance with County How is Alliance Governed? a. Port Royal: Wants governing authority for direction and spending b. Beaufort : Wants governing authority for direction and spending c.

8 Financial Contribution of Municipalities: 1. Port Royal: Stated they have very little money 2. Beaufort: Stated they need funding source 3. Hilton Head: Has Economic Development Corporation 4. Bluffton: Has Economic Development Corporation Common Interests: 1. Waste Management 2. Storm water 3. Detention Centers 4. Fire Departments 5. Police/ Public Safety 6. Hospitals 7. Government Agency Requirements 8. Voter Registration/Elections How would Director be hired and paid? How would Chairman, Vice Chairman and Members of Economic Development Board be elected? 1. Port Royal wants equal authority 2. Beaufort wants equals authority 3. Hilton Head- has ED Director 4. Bluffton- has ED Director 5. Hire outside source How are projects prioritized? 1. Equal No. of members on Board for each Municipality & County. 2. Funding contribution determines voting power 3. Projects for County common goals supersede Municipalities 4. Rotation of County & Municipality needs.

Government Agency Requirements 8. Voter Registration/Elections How would Director be hired and paid? How would Chairman, Vice Chairman and Members of Economic Development Board be elected? 1.

10 Economic Development (4/6/15) Recommended Strategic Initiatives (10/13/14) County-wide: Facilitate Deals County-wide Pursue Healthcare as the best Countywide Opportunity Facilitate Medical Commercial Park Northern Beaufort County: Support a North County Economic Development Corp Prep a Site in Northern Beaufort County Don t Overlook Heritage Tourism Discussion 1. Municipalities Feedback 2. Alliance Opportunity 3. Heritage Tourism 4. North County Corp? Future Discussions 1. County Focus? Clusters? Medical (Hilton Head priority) 2. Facilities? Graves - Medical, Knowledge, etc. North County Site 3. Budgets 4. Other? 1

Northern Beaufort County Don t Overlook Heritage Tourism Discussion 1. Municipalities Feedback 2. Alliance Opportunity 3. Heritage Tourism 4.

11 Municipalities' Feedback & Alliance Feedback Strongly Prefer Own rather than joining with an Adjacent Alliance: Complimentary - Not Competitive County-wide Economic Team Existing Economic Units - Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, & Port Royal Define Economic Development? Chamber Involvement? Generally confirmed offered Strategic initiatives Alliances Alternatives Beaufort County Beaufort & Jasper Counties Southern Alliance Charleston Alliance Next Steps Feedback - Alliance Visitations Discussion with Commerce Refine Our Own Alliance: Work Session? Proposal from Municipalities? 2

12 Heritage Tourism Opportunity (600,000 Visitors?) Phase I - Santa Elena Lost Century (150,000) Phase II - Civil War, Gullah Geechee, Mitchelville, Penn Center, Reconstruction, Revoluntary War (150,000) Beaufort County - Middle of Charleston to Savannah Corridor: Extended Stays (150,000) New Corridor Visitors (150,000) Beaufort County Impact? $300 Million Economic Impact $60 Million Taxes 5,000 Jobs Next Steps Phase II Task Force: HHI Organizing Smithsonian & National Park Service Expand to county - wide Mayors & County Chairman Quantify Opportunity: USCB Update & Expand Visitor Profiles Phase III Specialty Tourism - Sports Competitions, Cycling, Fishing, Eco-Tourism, Arts, etc. 3

Middle of Charleston to Savannah Corridor: Extended Stays (150,000) New Corridor Visitors (150,000) Beaufort County Impact?

1. CALL TO ORDER 3:00 P.M. 2. DISCUSSION / ADOPTION OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOLUTION FOR BEAUFORT COUNTY (backup) (resolution) 3.

1. CALL TO ORDER 3:00 P.M. 2. DISCUSSION / ADOPTION OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOLUTION FOR BEAUFORT COUNTY (backup) (resolution) 3. D. PAUL SOMMERVILLE CHAIRMAN GERALD W. STEWART VICE CHAIRMAN COUNCIL MEMBERS CYNTHIA M. BENSCH RICK CAPORALE GERALD DAWSON BRIAN E. FLEWELLING STEVEN G. FOBES ALICE G. HOWARD WILLIAM L. MCBRIDE STUART