Referendum committee adopts updated public-education information report, forwards committee responses and approves survey framework

The Richland County Referendum Committee on Nov. 20 adopted an updated public education information report, voted to forward compiled responses from standing committees to those committees and approved a framework to develop a County Board survey to guide possible referendum questions.

The committee chair (name not specified) summarized the updated public-education packet, saying, "The annual loss of shared revenues from the state are illustrated in the following chart. When all the amounts are added together, the losses since 02/2001 total $9,800,000." The packet also updated figures on highway department costs, UW Richlandcampus funding, Pine Valley Community Village census and staffing, and reconciled the five-year financial plan with updated budget cuts.

Why it matters: the packet and the committeeresponses are intended to inform a possible county referendum to raise revenue and reduce projected operating-levy cuts. The committee noted a current projection in the county five-year financial plan that identifies roughly $4.6 million in levy reductions through 2027 and that updated figures leave about $700,000 available to reduce those cuts absent new revenue.

Key details from the report and discussion included: the presenterreported that UW Richland system funding declined from roughly $3,000,000 in 2012 to less than $1.5 million in the most recent year in the chart; the committee discussed projected short-term borrowing and debt-service impacts tied to a proposed radio tower project (an estimated increase in the debt levy on the order of about $200,000 when the tower debt begins); and Pine Valley staff projected operating-years 20232027 could show profits but also said occupancy projections might be reduced about 7% largely because of staffing challenges. The committee asked for additional detail from departments (for example, highway asphalt capital vs. operating treatment) before finalizing referendum question language.

Votes and next steps: the committee adopted the updated public-education information report on a voice vote after a motion from Supervisor Steve Carroll, seconded by Bob Frank. The committee then voted to forward the compiled correspondence and committee responses to the respective standing committees (motion moved by Bob Frank and seconded by Steve Carroll); that motion passed on a roll-call vote reported as six ayes, zero noes. The committee also approved a framework directing staff to draft a County Board survey (motion moved by Steve Carroll, seconded by Bob Frank); the committee will review the survey at its next meeting and the intent is to issue it to the County Board in time for the boardmeeting on Dec. 13 so results can guide referendum design.

Committee members emphasized they still must decide which mix of approaches to use (a standalone referendum; a blended approach using additional short-term borrowing for capital projects; or board-approved levy increases without a referendum) and asked administration and departments for line-item details to separate operating vs. capital needs.

The committee set its next meeting for Monday, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the County Boardroom and adjourned after approving that date.