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Council approves $1,594.44 hospitality‑tax reimbursement to Batesburg Business Association; members urge policy change for future applications
Summary
The council approved a hospitality tax reimbursement to the Batesburg Business Association for a December 2024 'Christmas in Batesburg' event totaling $1,594.44; councilmembers discussed whether the town should require grant applications in advance rather than consider retroactive requests.
The Batesburg‑Leesville Town Council voted Feb. 10 to approve a hospitality‑tax grant reimbursement of $1,594.44 to the Batesburg Business Association (BBA) for the group’s Christmas in Batesburg event on Dec. 8, 2024. The application was submitted after the event; staff and council confirmed the application met the grant criteria for funding but several councilmembers raised concerns about approving retroactive requests without a formal pre‑event application requirement.
Why it matters: Hospitality‑tax (H‑tax) funds are restricted to statutorily allowed uses; handling of retroactive requests sets a precedent for how the town distributes H‑tax dollars and manages fairness among applicants.
Record and debate: The BBA applied after the event and acknowledged there was no guarantee of reimbursement. Staff said the application met the required documentation and advertising standards. Several councilmembers asked the town attorney about legal exposure and whether the council should formalize an application policy stating that funding is for pre‑approved events only. The attorney recommended an administrative application form and a policy to require applications in advance rather than modifying the ordinance itself.
Outcome and next steps: Council approved the requested reimbursement and also directed staff to work with counsel to adopt an approved application form and to consider a policy or procedural change requiring advance submission for future requests. Staff said funds are distributed post‑event even when applications are pre‑approved; the council discussed formalizing timelines for submissions.
Follow up: Staff will prepare a recommended application form and policy language and present options to council for amendment or administrative adoption.
