Audit shows $240,000 general fund surplus for Florence

FLORENCE — Florence’s audit for the past fiscal year shows general fund revenues exceeded expenditures by $241,148, but the news came with the caveat that the economy’s slowdown could affect the city’s sales-oriented revenues.

Certified Public Accountant Roy Burch Jr. of Florence said 65 percent of Florence’s general fund revenues have come from the local option sales tax, business licenses and franchise fees as the city has moved away from a focus on property tax revenues.

The state government has already made a mid-year budget reduction, Burch pointed out after speaking to council.

“The question is, ‘How much will (the economic slowdown) affect our local sources?’” he said.

Florence’s general fund revenues reached nearly $24 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

The city’s enterprise fund, which includes water, sewer and stormwater operations, received a net income of $7.2 million, which means the city is making solid steps in raising money toward its upcoming $100 million wastewater treatment plant, Burch told council.

Council also approved second and final reading of an agreement to sell two city-owned parcels at Cheves and Dargan streets to Florence County for the development of a new Florence Museum of Art, Science and History.

The vote was 5-1, with councilman Billy D. Williams casting the dissenting vote. Councilman Rick Woodard had stepped out of council chambers at the time the vote was taken.

Council members have voted to give the county a six-month option to buy the city-owned 1.1 acres at Cheves and Dargan streets for $200,000.

Williams also showed council a petition for the city to hold a referendum to create six single-member council districts.

“This is the document here, and I want (councilman) Buddy Brand to be the first one to sign,” he said, laughing.

The city is divided into three districts represented by Brand, a Republican, and Democrats Williams and Ed Robinson, while the other council members represent the city at large.

Williams said last month he’d seek a petition, which requires the signatures of 15 percent of the city’s registered voters, because he thought he didn’t have enough votes on council to approve a referendum.

The number of voter signatures needed was unclear. Steve Love, Florence County’s interim elections director, said he hadn’t seen an updated total of city voters since the flurry of registration before the general election.

Council has approved a referendum on nonpartisan elections, which Williams and Robinson opposed. That referendum could be held as early as the first quarter of 2009.

After an executive session, council voted unanimously to give a merit pay raise to City Judge Cheveron Scott. Such pay increases usually run from 2 percent to 3 percent, City Manager David Williams said.

Council was scheduled to receive suggested 2008-09 funding allocations from the city’s Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee, but deferred a vote on the recommendations.

Funds from the state tax, collected on lodging, go to organizations and events that promote tourism.