TCL warns county 0.1-mill raise may not cover debt service for Regional Workforce Training Center

Representatives of the Technical College of the Lowcountry told Beaufort County Council they cannot move forward with construction of a proposed Regional Workforce Training Center until the college’s capital funding is secured.

At a council workshop, a TCL presenter said the college had been operating under the assumption that the county would invest $7.5 million in the project. Staff explained that changes to the county’s bond issuance and fiscal-year revenues mean a 0.1-mill increase included in last year’s budget does not currently cover annual debt-service payments for TCL’s portion of the county’s bond program.

County staff and TCL discussed two basic options: (1) treat the county contribution as a multi-year grant spread over three years as described in the earlier resolution, or (2) proceed with a debt-service structure that would require TCL to record a liability and rely on the 0.1-mill increase plus changes in mill value over time to cover payments. Staff said that because bond amounts and revenue assumptions changed since the resolution, the administration will return with a set of financing options and, if appropriate, an intergovernmental agreement for council consideration.

Council members asked about contributions from neighboring counties, state funding prospects and whether the county could use the general fund to cover a portion of the debt-service obligation. TCL’s presenter said Jasper County and others have committed varying amounts and that the college is pursuing federal and state grants as well as private fundraising. Staff noted the workshop could not produce a final vote but expressed intent to prepare options and potential budget amendments for a future council meeting.

The discussion centered on financing structure and timing rather than an immediate commitment; no formal vote occurred at the workshop.