Colleton County Council approves fee-in-lieu tax agreements with Boise Cascade and Gehl Foods

Colleton County Council unanimously approved two ordinances on Dec. 6 authorizing fee-in-lieu of ad valorem tax agreements intended to support private investment and industrial park development.

At the meeting in the Council Chambers, Council adopted Ordinance 22-O-10, which authorizes a fee-in-lieu of tax arrangement with Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution, L.L.C., and further amends the multi-county industrial/business park agreement with Hampton County to include property in Colleton County. Dr. Joseph Flowers moved approval; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

Council also approved Ordinance 22-O-15, an amended and restated fee-in-lieu agreement involving Gehl Foods Southeast, LLC and NM GL, L.L.C., which includes provisions for payment of fees in lieu of taxes, assignment and assumption of incentive agreements, and potential special source revenue or infrastructure credits. Councilman Art Williams moved approval; Dr. Flowers seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

The ordinances, taken in their third and final readings, authorize the county to enter into negotiated tax arrangements and to allocate special source revenue credits where allowed by state law and the multi-county park agreement. The meeting record shows no roll-call dissent; motions carried unanimously. The ordinances and related agreements outline terms for fee payments in lieu of traditional ad valorem taxes and for allocation of any special source revenue credits among participating jurisdictions.

Council did not discuss detailed fiscal terms at length on the floor; the formal ordinance texts and fee-in-lieu agreements are part of the county’s official records for further review. The council’s adoption completes the county’s approval steps recorded at this meeting. The council adjourned after routine new-business items and public comments.