Council approves hospitality‑tax recommendations amid concerns about process and conflicts

Council voted 5‑2 to accept the accommodation and hospitality tax committee’s recommendations for grant awards and to include the approved amounts for the FY25–26 budget. County staff summarized the committee’s recommendations: the Chamber of Commerce $65,052; South Carolina Railroad Museum $60,000; Wings and Wheels Air Festival $5,000; Pine Tree Playhouse $20,000; and the Austin Trailhead of the Palmetto Trail $47,500 (reported as half of its request). Staff said several other applications were not recommended by the committee.

Council discussion focused on two issues: (1) a request from councilors for clearer accounting of the total hospitality and accommodations taxes collected to date and the percentage of funds the recommendations represent; and (2) concerns raised about a possible conflict of interest at the committee meeting related to the Chamber vote, including whether a committee member who had a potential conflict left the room and whether the vote was properly excluded. One council member said the committee did not follow Robert’s Rules of Order regarding recusals and recommended that the council develop clearer guidelines and a charter for committee operations.

Another councilor urged trust in the appointed committee members, noting the council spent considerable time selecting them and said the council should support the committee’s recommendations. After debate, the council approved the recommendation package on a roll call/voice vote that recorded 5 in favor and 2 opposed. The motion carried and will be incorporated into the proposed FY25–26 budget.

Councilors asked administration to provide additional documentation on total funds available and the committee’s procedures and to consider formal guidance about recusals and conflict handling for future committee decisions.