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Council approves second reading of Project Legacy fee-in-lieu ordinance after debate over defense work and disclosure
Summary
Charleston County advanced an ordinance for a fee-in-lieu of taxes arrangement with an applicant identified as "Project Legacy." Council passed second reading 6-3 amid questions about the company's identity, projected jobs and a reference to defense-sector work that prompted several "nay" votes.
Charleston County Council gave second reading May 13 to an ordinance authorizing a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement with an entity currently identified in county documents as "Project Legacy." The measure passed second reading by a recorded second-reading vote of six ayes and three nays.
Council members debated whether the county should commit tax incentives before the company's identity and full plans were publicly disclosed. One councilor said he could not authorize tax incentives without knowing the company's name and compared the requested incentives to preferential treatment of a single small employer. "I can't vote for something for 14 new employees when there's hundreds of other companies and employers that would be in the exact same category," Council Member John Kubrowski said, referring to reporting that the project has about 14 employees.
Other members said the instrument being considered is a standard economic development tool that provides a structured fee-in-lieu arrangement to incentivize capital investment and job creation. During the roll call for second reading, the council recorded 6 ayes and 3 nays and moved the ordinance to a future third-reading vote.
One councilor voiced specific concern about wording in the ordinance describing the project as related to "metal fabrication services for the aerospace and defense industries," saying the mention of defense-sector work left unresolved questions that merited a "nay" until details were clearer. The ordinance description on second reading references Project Legacy's intent to acquire, construct, furnish and equip a facility for metal fabrication and related activities.
County staff and the ordinance text noted that final participation in any fee-in-lieu agreement requires negotiation of terms, commitments on jobs and investments, and execution of a formal agreement; council members opposing the second reading said they sought further public disclosure and assurances before final adoption.
The ordinance advanced on second reading; a recorded third reading and final approval remain necessary before a fee-in-lieu agreement would be executed.
