[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6227429,"mediaKeyId","3491608-2b38348080c35286607a7ac838283db5","parentId",3491608,"title","Charleston County Council authorizes negotiations for transportation sales tax education contract after heated debate","audioSeconds",2551,"startMs",296000,"endMs",2847000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3491608-2b38348080c35286607a7ac838283db5&start=296&end=2847","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3491608-2b38348080c35286607a7ac838283db5/thumbnail_296000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6227429/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Charleston-County-Council-authorizes-negotiations-for-transportation-sales-tax-education-contract-after-heated-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227429-bee3e1fd2ed36ea72db58f28ab39d6a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169504&Signature=hBmc7Rk5Vwsrd-0zEjPVm2d-mpRmj7vlCm7smUzMwKbgK1WIcITqBxAYspPfYqQuTC7DsVJ4iIjHRGQwJl0WgAy3niEup2Injlfe1TZcA2VDfGbjkYxRVKF7H8xS2sW-Lkp2CI4l4d1G2oDsvrul~1OZaU7TIDMjmVELlQMW8wICIWvEEBOZxVcjFivvnotQk4LiDXQwDAO6zOqSfDPNYvzIYR89fKK5Yi6P4jQ6v7x8yV4tPQjj1fMa3DGnTwUr3kjSvqwU0nP0oKS-TIR-rZMSvrFAG0YG5pdxMJhqZ9Tcsbbi8-S3LTHkmNA8WDjaDwMTCje0BHx0cE15CrbnWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-24T13:22:27.657Z","article","The Charleston County Council voted to authorize staff to enter contract negotiations for a Transportation Sales Tax (TST) education and engagement program, with the requirement that the final contract price be returned to council for approval before execution.

Public works staffer Adams told the council the scope includes reviewing the 2024 referendum and public perception of the TST program, educating the public on program accomplishments and status, and facilitating public engagement on a potential 2026 TST referendum. Adams said the selected firm has experience working with counties and regional agencies and that staff worked with procurement to solicit proposals.

Council Vice Chair Kabrovsky voiced strong opposition to hiring outside consultants to \"massage the message,\" saying voters already rejected the previous referendum: \"quote Bob Dylan, you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing.\" He questioned whether spending public money on what he characterized as political messaging would be legal and said he wanted direct dialogue with the groups that led the opposition.

Councilman Boykin and other supporters said the intent is not to \"steer\" a vote but to provide transparent education and a public-facing platform so residents can see project progress and how funds were spent. Boykin said staff are primarily engineers and that consultants could help translate technical work for the public: \"These folks are coming in to assist our staff who are mainly engineers...to educate them on the accomplishments that have been done with the previous referendums.\" Adams said the 2024 effort placed a heavy burden on staff and noted other counties that have used similar engagement models successfully.

County attorney (name not stated) told the council the request had been reviewed and found to present no current legal or ethical concerns. Councilmember Honeycutt said the purpose is transparency and that the firm could be scoped not to include studying why voters might vote one way or another if the council so directed.

Council members debated whether using consultants would look like an attempt to influence a referendum. Several members urged transparency, recommended meeting with groups that opposed the 2024 referendum, and stressed that any consultant would not produce the final project list: that work, they said, will be carried out by staff working with the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCD COG) and municipalities.

A motion to authorize staff to enter contract negotiations with the selected firm, amended to require staff to bring the final price back to council before executing any contract, passed by roll call vote with six ayes and three nays. The council directed that, if negotiations are successful, staff may return with a contract that will only be executed after council review of the final price and confirmation that funds are available in the fiscal year 2026 public works general fund.

Why it matters: The TST funds a large portion of county transportation, greenbelt and transit projects; council members said educating the public about project accomplishments and future needs is essential if a future referendum is to be considered. Critics said hiring outside consultants risks appearing to use public money to influence voters; supporters said consultants would improve transparency and public access to project status.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with contract negotiations under the amended direction and return to council with the final negotiated price and the proposed contract for council approval before execution.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05/22/2025 - Charleston County Council","oneSentenceSummary","The Charleston County Council voted to authorize staff to enter contract negotiations for a Transportation Sales Tax education and engagement program, with an amendment requiring the final price to return to council before execution.","taxTitle","Charleston County, South Carolina","taxId",3700,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6227419,"Council says talks continue with City of Charleston on Morrison Drive unsolicited bid; seeks timeline and parking revenue protections",272,2859000,3131000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3491608-2b38348080c35286607a7ac838283db5&start=2859&end=3131","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3491608-2b38348080c35286607a7ac838283db5/thumbnail_2859000.jpg","/articles/6227419/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Council-says-talks-continue-with-City-of-Charleston-on-Morrison-Drive-unsolicited-bid-seeks-timeline-and-parking-revenue-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227419-27720ac9d1b5e96939a744bc7297f14b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169503&Signature=KEyAw~d7ckVF7th39YbS78m1mNl8RLQTnd2PrAX3u1cDui3XcjwBjkEg6iZgz4lkE4KQ-ubnwFdAYytg6vsV1-h4EDSPy26KOTvp~bZyt4Bm9XiWJMriX3szYVy8Q70vDLrq~D7a1EtqHee04HsmsVoMdpr3uE-A1L4qTj03hcVt0AyK-X-u5yFg4xRBmvgyJNHCO28vQ1lCqXzM1RmI26HFAIhIx6cEKnuggZKTSbrh02DgVxh5kh~JSRURycA2-r9PnvsF~0ntJrafoRgoTqf~ZHsNNhaAM9Et6~EuRY05N3WL6G~odVc1-HBX2vB8YMZAWfMSLnuiFaXf8hB5Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charleston County council members said negotiations with the City of Charleston over an unsolicited bid for the Morrison Drive property are ongoing and that they will meet again with the city and county staff to resolve outstanding terms.

A council update said the city submitted a letter of intent and the county asked for additional specification on affordable housing restrictions. Council members Worman and Sass and others will meet with the mayor, county administrator and attorney to \"hammer through\" bulleted concerns and talk through terms. The council emphasized the conversations are continuing and that the committee has not \"dropped the ball.\"

Several council members expressed impatience with the pace of due diligence and said if the city intends to use the property for parking in the meantime, any revenue should go to the county because the county remains the property owner. One member suggested setting a firm timeline: if the city cannot meet the county's timetable the county should put the parcel back on the market.

The council said the property had been cleared and observed that the city had previously indicated available funding for the West Edge project; members said they would insist on a clear timeline and financial assurances before finalizing a sale. Committee members who plan further talks said they will reconvene with the mayor and staff and report back at the next meeting.

Why it matters: The Morrison Drive parcel has drawn interest from the City of Charleston for redevelopment and affordable housing; county leaders said they want firm commitments and clarity about interim use and revenue while the transaction is pending.

Next steps: A follow-up meeting with the mayor, county administrator, county attorney and interested council members will be scheduled; staff will explore options for interim revenue capture if the property is used before sale.","Council members said they are still negotiating with the City of Charleston over an unsolicited bid and letter of intent for Morrison Drive; they plan further face-to-face talks and want any interim parking revenue to go to the county if the city uses the property before closing.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6227424,"Planning committee defers Orange Grove Road zoning request so neighbors and developer can negotiate",150,72000,222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3491608-2b38348080c35286607a7ac838283db5&start=72&end=222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3491608-2b38348080c35286607a7ac838283db5/thumbnail_72000.jpg","/articles/6227424/Charleston-County/South-Carolina/Planning-committee-defers-Orange-Grove-Road-zoning-request-so-neighbors-and-developer-can-negotiate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227424-567c66c0953f82a27816e448e7adf579/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169503&Signature=OcPb5oliqPitVo6p0To8To~flLR36mpyzUNg33ctU2OtEoQGC-PNHnoK65IeAlUAAcaLgsZkidi9QzilPAu5URyM9WwTLohp-lESv5lF-sHj-SFyHwi8YBX7maKPP9wxAFA7vaeog570uCr0Df5fx073aG2XbuF609U4N~nJhAn3USy3xqyTFJzUAxZCBdIvxGDRVKTFoowW~Ma8iVjj9m40N6~~D8Z1ub-xNsDJtMt6ykAE4DZZgO8E3dWI8U0-Z0cBvYGDcIXdMCxgyCOi2qcN9MXeZPjLusAbacw~yk6ED1vWgJAEL-4nu4ZReE6hLwZubJlrKWyTpIRexWhpnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charleston County Planning and Public Works Committee deferred consideration of a zoning request for property on Orange Grove Road to its next meeting so residents and the applicant can continue talks.

Committee chair Pryor and council members discussed concerns raised during a prior public hearing and said neighbors wanted more time to meet with the developer. Councilman Moody moved to defer the item; Councilman Boykin seconded the motion. The committee voted to defer the zoning request to the next committee meeting; the chair said the deferral would be entered on the public record.

Council members noted the site is in unincorporated Charleston County and warned the applicant could pursue annexation into the City of Charleston if the county's zoning outcome was not favorable, which could change development density. Members said the neighbors' concerns about the scale of the proposed development were \"legitimate and valid\" and that the deferral was intended to give both sides a chance to find a palatable solution.

The chair instructed staff to record the motion and the deferral. No final zoning decision was made; the item will return at the next Planning and Public Works Committee meeting for further consideration.","Charleston County's Planning and Public Works Committee deferred a zoning request for Orange Grove Road after council members said neighbors were in talks with the developer and asked for more time for community discussions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Charleston County Council authorizes negotiations for transportation sales tax education contract after heated debate

Council says talks continue with City of Charleston on Morrison Drive unsolicited bid; seeks timeline and parking revenue protections

Planning committee defers Orange Grove Road zoning request so neighbors and developer can negotiate