Hartsville faces annexation issues

Hartsville Mayor Michael Holt mentions annexation at every city council meeting.

He has sent letters to the editors of The Messenger and Morning News in Florence asking for a change in state laws over annexation, laws he and other political figures call antiquated.

It has been mentioned several times in Hartsville news, but the city’s tax base is becoming increasingly burdened with supporting the services the city provides.
This is also an issue facing many cities in South Carolina.

James Island is currently going through the issues as well, according to Sen. Gerald Malloy. Malloy said James Island is trying to incorporate to avoid being annexed by the City of Charleston. Most of the state legislature is awaiting the outcome of that case before filing any more legislation regarding the issue.

The City of Hartsville has a population of nearly 7,500, according to the 2000 Census Bureau numbers. City-data.com states the average household income is $28,000.
These households are supporting the services for 35,000 residents in the Greater Hartsville area.

“The comment was made,” Holt said in an interview Wednesday, “that the city should act more like a city of 7,500, and I see the point there. But we have to support the large number of people who come inside the city limits every day.”

Holt listed the cities in North Carolina and Georgia as examples of the restrictive laws regarding annexation. “South Carolina has great cities, but not to the degree that other states seem to have. I tie that back to our antiquated annexation laws.”

Holt said the Municipal Association of South Carolina was formed in 1932 and part of their mission was to deal with annexation. So, this is not a new issue for cities in South Carolina.

“The problem in Hartsville,” Holt said, “is that the population outside the city has grown tremendously and we can’t slow it down. We don’t want to slow it down, but we want to be a part of it.”

The increasing population is an example of the quality of life in the Hartsville area, Holt said.

Holt also said there are consequences that most people may not be aware of. “What so many people who are in the county don’t appreciate, don’t understand, is that their property values are directly tied to the quality of government and the quality of lifestyle the City of Hartsville can offer.”

That quality, Holt said, may change in the near future if the city’s tax base doesn’t increase.

“If the town becomes stagnant,” he said, “and the merchants dry up, and we can’t offer services because we can’t get revenue off of business licenses, then the town is going to suffer decay and decline.”

The property values around the city will fall, Holt said, along with the value of property in the city.

Holt also said if those who live outside the area do nothing they do so at their own peril.

“We want to have a controlled, sustained growth,” the mayor said, “and right now, we can’t get there.”

Malloy, and Rep. Jay Lucas, have also pushed to change legislation at the state level, but to no avail.

Malloy said annexation currently requires consent from 75 percent of property owners, who own 75 percent of the property, in order for the city to be able to annex property.
The city must also go through the Department of Justice to annex property. The Department of Justice intercedes to assure the annexation is beneficial to both parties and that annexation is done with equal opportunity to all in the area.

“It all starts with a comprehensive plan, “Malloy said. “I would want to know whether that was in place and whether there is the balance (The Department of) Justice will require.”
Holt said the city would be able to provide police protection, affordable water, and sewer treatment to residents. Also, those residents would be helping finance the services of which they currently use.

Holt also said becoming part of the city gives residents the opportunity to vote for city offices and become more a part of city business. And, if the current trend continues, those city residents on fixed incomes will bear the brunt of the burden. Any changes in their bills, will affect them more significantly.