Hanahan financial update: ad valorem timing, Tanner Trail delays and Creekside Park opening set for April

Hanahan’s finance director reported to City Council on Feb. 11 that revenues and expenditures through Dec. 31 were “mostly on target,” but a timing delay in ad valorem tax collections made revenues appear $2 million lower than the prior year; the taxes were received the previous week for $4,579,718, the finance director said.

Nancy Grigsby, the city’s new finance director, said legal expenditures to date were over budget by $35,670 and payroll costs increased about $875,000 year over year, driven by higher headcount. The city had expended $2,452,780 on general obligation bond projects through Dec. 31 and $821,107 on other capital work, Grigsby said.

Phase 3 of the Tanner Trail, a federally funded pedestrian project, continues to face delays tied to design changes, utility relocation issues and federal review. Catherine Bachel and staff described the sequence: the project required a realignment to avoid a state-owned water line, additional easement negotiations, and a supplemental $400,000 allocation to cover inspection and oversight costs. The project is awaiting a final DOT supplemental participation agreement and federal fund obligation; staff said the plan is to release the project for bids after DOT approves final plan pages, which will add at least 30 days for bidding and another period for contract review.

Parks and recreation updates included a formal vote to name Stewart Street Park as “Creekside Park at Stewart Street,” with a grand opening scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 4. Council approved additional safety fencing and a concrete layer for the park pavilion using available funds.

Staff also updated the council on other capital projects: restroom facility quotes for Hawks Nest Park remain above budget and staff said they will explore smaller or prefabricated alternatives and possibly request additional funds; dog-park shade and benches are ordered and installation timing will be coordinated with operations; covered pickleball court estimates exceeded expectations and the project will be re-bid; and athletic-field lighting replacement will be staged to use spring break for conduit and at least four field installs, with remaining fields targeted after the spring season.

Danny Stewart, Hanahan Recreation and Parks director, said the lighting vendor has revised its schedule and will run conduit and panels after permits are issued, then install poles and fixtures during spring break for a phased completion plan. Staff said they hope to have at least four fields ready with new lighting after spring break and to complete remaining fields by the end of the athletic season in May.

Council was asked to carpool to the April 4 park opening because attendance is expected; staff noted the park’s playground will receive additional fencing to improve child safety. No new large capital appropriations were approved at the meeting; staff indicated budget workshop dates and potential future requests would be brought to council.