Fuel costs effect city budget

Rising fuel costs were a topic of discussion for the Hartsville City Council at their budget work session on Tuesday, June 3.

The council and department leaders met to discuss the $11.5 million budget for fiscal year 2008-09. City Manger Jim Pennington and the department leaders attributed much of the proposed increase to rising fuel costs.

“We don’t have a choice when it comes to fuel costs,” councilman Bob Braddock said.

The budget calls for money to be used from the city’s reserve fund; however, department leaders managed to cut nearly $500,000 from their initial requests to ensure that amount would be as low as possible.

“I have to give [department leaders] credit,” Pennington said, “They cut nearly $500,000 from their original requests.”

The city will be using approximately $440,000 from the reserve fund, which currently has a balance of $600,000. Mayor Michael Holt raised concern that the balance of the reserve fund is continuously dwindling.

Pennington added the budget reflects the fact that Hartsville offers more services and amenities than most cities of equal size. “We are doing what a city of 35,000 should be doing,” he said.

The new budget also accounts in a property tax increase of 3.41 mills, a $2 increase in the fee for solid waste, a yet undetermined increase in water and sewer fees after a rate
study and the new charge for wastewater.

During the council meeting, council heard from Planning and Zoning Director Rodney Tucker on three projects the city has planned.

The city will soon begin the process of looking for developers for the Vista area currently under construction. Tucker and Pennington agreed the city would love to entertain the idea of a new hotel and restaurant on site.

Tucker is also planning a project in conjunction with Clemson University to develop the site of the Butler High School campus. The campus is currently owned jointly by the city and the Darlington County School Board; however, Tucker said the school board has indicated they would be willing to collaborate with the city and the Butler Heritage Foundation.

Tucker’s idea is to enhance the area with new development, which he thinks are crucial to the entire area of Fifth and Sixth Streets. Clemson officials would come in to give the city ideas for development. “The impact of that site one Fifth Street is huge,” Tucker said. He said that would also open other parts of the area to development.

The city is also looking to create a committee to pursue a historic marker being placed at Pride Park on Sixth Street. Tucker said the site was once the site of an elementary school and is rich with tradition and heritage, so a marker would be fitting.

Councilman Johnny Andrews took the request a step further saying he would like to see markers put throughout Sixth Street and possibly give walking tours of the area. Tucker commented he would also like to collect information to display the history of Sixth Street, the community and the African-American Business Districts.

The council’s final order of business was to hear and approve the June calendar of events and review the regular meeting agenda.

The next regular meeting will take place in council chambers at city hall located at 133 W. Carolina Ave. For more details, call Andrea McDonald, deputy clerk/records manager, at (843) 383-3018.