Colleton County creates Board of Assessment Appeals; council debates business-registration wording

Colleton County Council unanimously approved on third reading Ordinance 22-O-11 to establish a Board of Assessment Appeals in county code and continued discussion on a countywide business-registration ordinance that council members said needs clearer language.

The public hearing on Ordinance 22-O-11 produced no public comment and the council approved the ordinance on third reading without opposition.

Council then debated definitions and exemptions under Ordinance 22-O-12, which would create a countywide business registration. Dr. Joseph Flowers raised specific concerns about the wording in Section 5.02.020 — particularly the phrasing "Person, Estate" — and suggested the ordinance should clarify whether an estate or trust that operates a business is covered. "I think we better clarify that a little better because that is going to be misinterpreted," Flowers said. Chairman Steven Murdaugh and others noted trusts and estates can function differently and the language should be explicit about business entities such as limited liability companies.

Administrator Kevin Griffin confirmed the annual registration fee would be $15 and said the county would identify which department will handle administration before third reading. "It will be a straight $15 a year," Griffin said.

Why it matters: the assessment-appeals board creates a formal local forum for property-valuation disputes. The business-registration ordinance would create a countywide registration system and council members sought clearer definitions, exemptions, and the administrative approach before final passage.

Next steps: council signaled it will refine the definitions, correct scrivener’s errors and clarify exemptions (for example agricultural uses were discussed) and will return the business-registration ordinance for third reading with explicit fee and department assignment.