[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6053198,"mediaKeyId","3376141-c48a82d97e3d2e20763f60d6411c8852","parentId",3376141,"title","Council directs staff on personnel, retiree insurance study and bids for waste contract; payout policy to return at first reading","audioSeconds",2618,"startMs",4630000,"endMs",7248000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3376141-c48a82d97e3d2e20763f60d6411c8852&start=4630&end=7248","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3376141-c48a82d97e3d2e20763f60d6411c8852/thumbnail_4630000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6053198/Summerville/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Council-directs-staff-on-personnel-retiree-insurance-study-and-bids-for-waste-contract-payout-policy-to-return-at-first-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053198-d74c745d36daf82b3b5629d9838b4ae0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206533&Signature=GEz95rOQBf-IiccftR8l~RZfJ08ELKIyuzszZB9xEA38FshHHgA5pEt6rz6z~nbARGLZO16OoJWb1yWFgDwR-srL1u3iF3uGa3yxsDhMgyathu6K9njTXp1tx1YQF1On3WU5ddQjUO-pgGf~cFdtgzWawqooPtbHo53D0DL3~8ysVLvw0g38-BEHNgeQSkcMlCBnCQBJJvPROmVXuwcm3i0DEnAQtavAMN3-v27gkAwzc9Gv4dF0OFJCyNFS-A1qOYY0puXGZuWwu3q5WSbqutFTq6ZaRYi4QlDtSBIx5ncvRC7JK6nSAWbDVStagBzmoKxs-~qtldWCOvzWzcSV6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TownSummSC","date","2025-04-23T04:26:43Z","article","Council and staff used the budget workshop to review personnel requests, retiree‑insurance options and service contracts.

Personnel: Staff proposed delaying the start dates for new hires until January (effectively funding half‑year salaries where new positions are recommended) and recommended department heads fill current vacancies before adding new positions. The draft budget includes a 3% cost‑of‑living increase (COLA) across the board but does not fund a merit pool unless council chooses to do so later.

Retiree health insurance and other post‑employment benefits: Council discussed potential town contributions to retirees’ premiums as an aspirational benefit. Staff and the newly contracted broker advised that the town needs further analysis — including actuarial impacts, OPEB trust funding implications and whether retirees’ claims would affect active employees’ premiums — before adopting any program. Council asked staff to return later (staff suggested mid‑to‑late calendar year) with options and analysis; several council members favored limiting eligibility (for example longer years of service) rather than opening benefits at a low tenure threshold.

Vacation payout: Council reviewed a one‑time payout program the town ran and the cost to the town. Members agreed staff should return a budget proposal that caps year‑end cash‑out for budgeting purposes; staff said they will bring a payout proposal with a maximum (staff suggested two weeks as a working cap) for first reading so the fiscal impact is reflected in the draft ordinance.

Sanitation contract: Council authorized staff to solicit new bids for residential waste collection so the town can evaluate alternatives to the current contractor; members said vendor service improvements and contract timing need review in advance of contract renewal.

What’s next: Staff will bring a capped payout proposal and return retiree‑insurance options after further analysis; staff will prepare the waste‑collection solicitation and report back on timing and results.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Budget Workshop April 22, 2025 9am","oneSentenceSummary","Council asked staff to delay some new hires until January and to prioritize filling existing vacancies, directed staff to return retiree‑insurance options later this year for more study, approved a solicitation for new waste‑disposal bids, and asked staff to propose a capped vacation payout to include in the budget ordinance.","taxTitle","Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina","taxId",4554,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6053203,"Staff presents options to close $4.5M gap; property tax, business licenses and operating changes key to a balanced budget",296,750000,1046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3376141-c48a82d97e3d2e20763f60d6411c8852&start=750&end=1046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3376141-c48a82d97e3d2e20763f60d6411c8852/thumbnail_750000.jpg","/articles/6053203/Summerville/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Staff-presents-options-to-close-45M-gap-property-tax-business-licenses-and-operating-changes-key-to-a-balanced-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053203-13777373d1c3eaea5ad4d79f38be19c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206533&Signature=JoYusd8RFq0d680Hro9imMRTx3w4JcaGpG1~1smBgbreRrRK6~Od3ILvAXXYjnu0sJSTbMMrGY~F8dJRtclT1-MjnFKWIWpP4wK9q2uvD03SjwklSy6IyYNFPlghSiF~R5sAhhjsvHqOr1wJlxlagDkFBD7SzsCAvW4HyEXD16jUYCAbNwCjc2ra9pwpTj6wrU8I8f5~N70vXsR-cIedQ9jlsTnGsXsS46C18MenpnGUmJbVR3VZKVabV6qOJwDwL2befbmPRuSg6fcc0JyKinyr9l4iMQCceM3-sCcWpGHUT0KCdju3gmzzRaMefAmwdGzvg~GJ5shQkPys6mQ6rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a special budget workshop, finance staff reviewed a list of revenue and expenditure adjustments intended to close an estimated $4.5 million gap between proposed spending and projected revenues.

Finance director Rhonda Roberts told council she had updated several revenue lines since the March draft: staff are using a conservative 2% growth assumption for property taxes (staff estimated roughly $350,000 additional revenue from that change), increased the town’s local business license revenue forecast by $200,000 to roughly match 2024 levels, and recommended putting anticipated proceeds from sale of assets into the new capital fund rather than the general fund. Roberts described the revenue changes as conservative and said she used permit data and recent issuance (chiefly CEO/COs) to inform the estimate for development‑related growth.

On the expenditure side staff presented personnel changes and cost controls: several new positions were delayed until January, communications positions were removed from the operating request, and departments were asked to prioritize filling existing vacancies before adding new hires. The draft included a 3% cost‑of‑living increase (COLA) across the board but no district‑wide merit pool unless council chooses to fund merit separately.

The mayor opened the session by urging council to choose which of the options to include so staff could prepare a balanced budget for first reading at the next council meeting. Council asked follow‑up questions about the property‑tax estimate and permit‑based forecast and asked staff to return formal draft ordinance language for first reading.

What’s next: Staff will deliver the budget ordinance for first reading at the next council meeting; second reading and the public hearing are scheduled for the June meeting.

","Finance staff presented revenue revisions and expense adjustments — including a conservative 2% property‑tax growth estimate, a $200,000 upward adjustment to business license receipts and reallocation of asset sale proceeds into the capital fund — as the council works to balance a roughly $4.5 million shortfall ahead of first reading.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6053208,"Council establishes capital fund, boosts sidewalk gap funding to $500,000 and adds $100,000 for parks",576,4475000,5051000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3376141-c48a82d97e3d2e20763f60d6411c8852&start=4475&end=5051","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3376141-c48a82d97e3d2e20763f60d6411c8852/thumbnail_4475000.jpg","/articles/6053208/Summerville/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Council-establishes-capital-fund-boosts-sidewalk-gap-funding-to-500000-and-adds-100000-for-parks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053208-c4b1dc4e905cc97361dfbc301dfd17b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206533&Signature=LoZa08lQoAs7YDvMKt-SKa528b1rHsPpA9lrQV1ksG7qvg5bNOCwQqIwqjHKeMn~KMEzqOnAhlWHWXUXW7QYs6TnEDypwt~1YJRucG855-qLLzUceiYXos8Wy7~zzIWz8LW1y7N5zTk4e5eYmRF-a0X-9JOSKWkmuFPz~0Vt5~OeTsZNo7RnwH~uLofrOArl3F9Y6k0NTvPZaZtOjt2v~Aq9Lt~OoD2H7EAw2vHK~4VnlCgDn6RHeC1AXgDGLu4zySNPG-5R2SXdMPcqbyykGfN2ag0V04cerPk-thEhpNUzl7Bc7b22cJT0TlXUAa2Jgqy-s91dBQRZGGCVUnbTSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members approved a proposed capital fund intended to begin covering recurring capital needs, and they voted to increase the sidewalk gap implementation allocation from the draft $400,000 to $500,000. Council also amended the capital plan to add $100,000 for parks and recreation capital needs; both measures passed.

Why it matters: Staff told the council that the town lacks a recurring capital replacement stream and that the fund will take an initial step by appropriating money from fund balance and adding a recurring $500,000 transfer from the general fund. Council and staff framed the move as an effort to address long‑deferred rolling stock, sidewalk gaps, building maintenance and public safety facility needs.

Rhonda Roberts summarized the proposed capital package, which combined a $2.0 million transfer from unallocated fund balance, a $500,000 recurring transfer from the general fund and another $175,000 from anticipated asset sales to create an initial capital fund balance. The staff list included planned radio replacements, lease purchases for patrol vehicles, sidewalk gap work, and building and grounds repairs.

Council debate centered on prioritization and timing. One council member moved to increase sidewalk gap implementation to $500,000; that motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. Another member proposed an amendment to add $100,000 to parks and recreation capital; after discussion the amendment was seconded and adopted. Council then approved the overall proposed capital fund as amended.

What’s next: Staff will track capital fund receipts and disbursements, and council asked for future finance committee briefings (October and February were suggested) to monitor fund balance, grant matches and possible reallocation as needed.

","Council approved creation of a recurring capital fund, directed an initial transfer and one‑time uses, increased sidewalk gap implementation funding to $500,000, and approved a $100,000 amendment for parks and recreation capital needs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6053213,"Council votes to phase in local-option sales tax credit at 50% to help close budget gap",1739,1005000,2744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3376141-c48a82d97e3d2e20763f60d6411c8852&start=1005&end=2744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3376141-c48a82d97e3d2e20763f60d6411c8852/thumbnail_1005000.jpg","/articles/6053213/Summerville/Dorchester-County/South-Carolina/Council-votes-to-phase-in-local-option-sales-tax-credit-at-50-to-help-close-budget-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6053213-c5650f436addf52da2e825513f243908/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206533&Signature=k7xF0bCwxRmoivzw4uvURHwLTzuLPdV69BcGdOHkOsTH-roAerOR~ts6A1qnnlsQFxQJXa9rXL-F6NCahFO3mXFV41SUIakMYTrGylNgFxqPzU4ArnyGtJe17SeMeSR2WOsZYYPyNTmwZxH5lsLWgHb4xxjYxG24y9jfqOYd2bYC2JifWHwQKyOax8auQ98VGpRTG89e-4XRNM356FHHBchxQE3xDXG6KJq~n4mZrINK~DIfDtHNvpNhuHxeJSN8T9UO~SARhu1d4TbwO6E6bUReCKFiNSVd0lueBWTZlW1HqqIFMHO6oGrUzGMpDz12YKBeqrXG01Bbny701vAQdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somerville Town Council voted during a special budget workshop to begin phasing in the municipal share of the local‑option sales tax this fiscal year, keeping 50% of the municipal revenue that the town has been refunding as part of the property‑tax credit calculation.

Council members said the move is intended to generate recurring revenue to help close a roughly $4.5 million gap between proposed expenses and expected revenues ahead of first reading of the budget in two weeks.

Why it matters: Council staff and finance staff told the body that the town has been refunding more of the municipal revenue than the state statute requires, leaving Somerville keeping only about 29% of the municipal revenue that the law allows. Phasing the municipal share back toward the statutory calculation would shift some of that returned credit into the town’s general fund and reduce future pressure on operating and capital budgets.

Finance director Rhonda Roberts summarized the mechanics and the two‑year phase‑in the staff recommended, saying the town now keeps “29% of what we are allowed to keep under statute,” and proposing a 50% phase in this year with the remainder the following year. Roberts told council staff had studied the departmental priorities and revenue lines and was presenting revenue options to close the gap.

Council debate focused on fairness and timing. One council member argued that residents in neighboring Dorchester County have effectively subsidized municipal services because the town’s prior practice provided a larger credit than statute required; others urged a slower phase‑in to reduce immediate pressure on households that might face higher property tax bills as a result.

A motion to begin a 50% phase‑in this year was made, seconded and adopted. During the voice vote the mayor called for ayes; one council member stated on the record that they opposed the motion. Council instructed staff to prepare ordinance language and numbers for first reading at the council meeting two weeks hence.

What’s next: Staff will show the revised tax-credit factor calculation on the draft budget for first reading, and council expects to take a second reading and hold the public hearing at the June meeting.

","At a special budget workshop, council approved a two-year, 50% phase‑in of previously refunded municipal revenue from the local‑option sales tax (reducing the property‑tax credit the town has been returning) as part of a package of revenue changes to close a roughly $4.5 million budget shortfall.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council directs staff on personnel, retiree insurance study and bids for waste contract; payout policy to return at first reading

Staff presents options to close $4.5M gap; property tax, business licenses and operating changes key to a balanced budget

Council establishes capital fund, boosts sidewalk gap funding to $500,000 and adds $100,000 for parks

Council votes to phase in local-option sales tax credit at 50% to help close budget gap