Darlington County allocates tourism tax funds

Several Darlington County tourism-related agencies now have more budget information to work with for the upcoming fiscal year after county council approved recommendations made by the accommodations tax advisory committee at Monday’s council meeting.

The recommendations were approved by a vote of 6-2 with much discussion. Council members Alex “Buz” Shaw and Billy Baldwin voted in opposition.

Tourism agencies in Darlington County presented requests for money from the county via the accommodations tax, which is levied to fund tourism-related activities in the county. Of the nearly $160,000 requested, the county was able to grant $65,000.

Shaw and Baldwin both believed the money wasn’t divided proportionally.

“Out of $65,000 given out,” Baldwin said, “almost $50,000 is going to Hartsville with the other $15,000 left for the others.”

Council member Anne Warr agreed. Warr said she believed more of the money went to Hartsville area agencies. “They are good groups, but there are things that happen in Lamar, Society Hill and Darlington,” Warr said.

Council member Dannie Douglas also said the money seemed to award more Hartsville-based agencies, as well.

Council Chairman Wesley Blackwell was in favor of the recommendations. “I may be prejudiced because I am from Hartsville,” he joked.

Blackwell said the majority of the events and agencies that need money in the Hartsville area bring many visitors from outside the area to spend the night or several nights in the area. He felt most of the events in Hartsville brought more tourism into the area, thereby justifying the funds.

Steve Tinney, owner of Oak Manor Inn in Hartsville and a member of the accommodations tax advisory committee, spoke to council before the vote.

He said the decisions on dividing the money were difficult. He also said he was “disheartened” the committee was unable to give Darlington County Tourism Director Jim Money 100 percent of his request, and he asked that council find a way to give the county tourism office at least 50 percent of its budget in the future. The entire budget for the Darlington County Tourism Budget comes at discretion of council.

The committee recommended the following amounts be given to the following agencies: Darlington County Tourism, $21,790; Butler Heritage Foundation, $4,790; Darlington County Cultural Realism Complex, $5,140; Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce, $3,000; Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, $2,140; Hartsville Downtown Development Association (HDDA) Jazz!Carolina, $3,570; HDDA Renofest, $9700; HDDA Cotton Harvest Bluegrass Festival, $2,000; Hartsville Family YMCA Triathlon, $2,160; Old Darlington District Chapter S.C. Genealogical Society, $1,590; Pilot Club Sweet Potato Festival, $1,900; Society Hill Catfish Festival, $2,290; S.C. Junior Golf Foundation, $4,790; and S.C. Water Media Society, $140.

Council will meet again for its next meeting on May 4 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Darlington County Courthouse Annex/EMS Building, 1625 Harry Byrd Highway, Darlington.