Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Atax Htax Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council splits accommodations and hospitality tax awards; South Carolina Ballet proposal fails, ATAX recommendations approved
Summary
Council debated changes to accommodations‑tax (ATAX) and hospitality‑tax (HTAX) committee recommendations, rejected a council amendment to increase South Carolina Ballet funding, and approved the accommodations‑tax committee’s recommendations overall while separately funding the Columbia International Festival via hospitality tax.
Richland County Council debated handwritten changes to the accommodations‑tax committee recommendations and hospitality‑tax awards on June 5, approving the ATAX committee’s recommendations but rejecting a council amendment to increase the South Carolina Ballet’s award.
Councilwoman Terasio moved to fund the South Carolina Ballet at $36,667 (a larger amount than the ATAX committee recommended); the motion failed on roll call. The council then voted to approve the accommodations‑tax committee’s original recommendations as presented. Separately on hospitality‑tax items, the council approved funding for the Columbia International Festival after a later motion by Vice Chair Pugh.
Committee funding context: staff reported the accommodations‑tax fund had a current balance of $412,834; accepting Terasio’s proposed increase for one grantee without an offset would reduce that balance. Committee chair and members clarified the ATAX committee had set aside roughly 10% of total community‑impact grant funds for child welfare needs, but the 10% figure was not a uniform cut to every applicant.
Why it matters: accommodations and hospitality taxes are dedicated local revenue sources used to support tourism and community organizations; changes to committee recommendations affect those grantees and the ATAX fund balance.
Outcome: The council approved the ATAX committee’s recommendations as submitted; the separate hospitality‑tax vote funded the Columbia International Festival as moved. A standalone council attempt to enlarge the Ballet award failed.
