NEWBERRY COUNTY COUNCIL
MINUTES
MARCH 2, 2005
The Newberry County Council met on Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. for a regular meeting.
Present were:
Mike Hawkins, Chairman
William D. Waldrop, Vice-Chairman
John E. Caldwell, Councilman
Henry B. Summer, Councilman
John David Dawkins, Councilman
Andy Morris, Councilman
Edgar Baker, Councilman
Leonard
B. Sossamon, Jr.,
Gary
T. Pope,
Susan C. Fellers, Clerk to Council
Representing the news media were:
Newberry Observer – Cindy Pitts
WKDK – Heather Hawkins
Whitmire News – Tarla Wilber
As required by law, notice of the meeting was duly advertised.
Mr. Hawkins called the meeting to order and determined a quorum to be present.
Mr. Summer had the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Dawkins requested the addition of acceptance of the bid for the Whitmire Rescue Squad truck (Agenda Item 6.1).
There being no further additions or deletions to the agenda, Mr. Baker moved to adopt the agenda as amended; second by Mr. Morris. Vote was unanimous.
1. Newberry County Disabilities and Special Needs – Adoption of Proclamation declaring March 2005 Disability Awareness Month.
Mr. Owens was unable to attend, but Cindy Farr with Newberry Disabilities and Special Needs and two members of the Self-Advocacy Group appeared and thanked Council for proclaiming March as disabilities awareness month.
Mr. Dawkins stated the Self-Advocacy Group did a county banner for us last year.
Mr. Caldwell moved to adopt the proclamation; second by Mr. Dawkins. Vote was unanimous.
Susie Berry, Assessor, and Nancy Owen, Auditor.
Mr. Hawkins invited the Assessor and Auditor to attend tonight’s meeting to talk about the reassessment.
Susie
Berry, Assessor, advised that state law requires reassessment of all properties
in
Property values increase because of buyers and sellers. Marshall and Swift, appraiser’s handbook of cost of construction, is used. Local builders are consulted as to typical costs of construction to insure a correct Newberry market is being used. True arm’s length transactions are also studied as far as sales.
Factors which can change a property’s value are:
1) adding square footage to a home;
2) addition of a garage;
3) new siding;
4) central heat and air;
5) a new roof’
6) swimming pools.
Causes of change in value are:
1) a change in the market place;
2) the impact of losing a major industry;
3) neighborhoods may become very attractive to potential buyers, such as lake property or a particular school district;
4) shortages of a particular style of home or a particular neighborhood (supply and demand);
5) prices of construction, materials, labor.
Information about property value and similar property is available through local realtors, local appraisers and in the sales books located in the Assessor’s Office.
Rules and information for appeal are on the notice. An appeal is not a complaint about higher taxes, but an attempt to prove the property estimated market value. An appeal can be requested if items are incorrect on the property card.
The taxpayer has the responsibility to furnish good information about property to the Assessor’s Office, such as a recent appraisal, a copy of the insured value of the home, the purchase price if the home was purchased recently.
Construction costs have increased since last assessment as follows:
1) low quality minus homes – no change;
2) tenant homes – no change;
3) low quality homes – 50% increase;
4) fair quality homes – 50% increase;
5) fair plus quality homes – 25% increase;
6) average quality homes – 65% increase;
7) average plus quality homes – 65% increase;
8) good quality homes – 75% increase;
9) excellent quality homes – 100% added to qood quality.
Nancy
Owen, Auditor, handed out a brochure entitled “Homeowners Guide to Property
Taxes in
Ms. Owen estimated the millage between 280 and 300 mills, but until the budget is adopted, she cannot with any certainty state exactly what the tax levy will be.
Additional revenue that the county can get is capped at the CPI, which is 2.7%.
Thomas
Boyd asked the Assessor if her office actually went out and looked at the
property. Ms.
Mr.
Boyd had additional questions which concerned what the figures on the form
represented. He also urged Council to schedule another meeting for people to
come in and address the reassessment issue.
Ms.
2. Resolution
adopting the All Natural Hazards Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan for the
Central Midlands Region of South Carolina.
Mr. Dawkins moved to adopt the Resolution; second by Mr. Baker. Vote was unanimous.
3. Committee Reports.
Mr.
Waldrop reported that the Employee Awards Banquet would be held on Thursday,
April 14, 2005, at 6:30 p.m. at the
4. Appointments:
A. Airport
Commission: District 5
B. Newberry County Recreation Commission: District 3
No appointments.
5.
A. Metts Construction - $158,857.72
Mr. Sossamon addressed the issue brought up at the last meeting relative to the county being able to remove the questionable soil. We recommend the award, but the county will remove the soil, which depending on the amount should reduce the bid by approximately $8,500 according to the estimates of our Public Works Director.
Mr. Waldrop moved to accept the bid of Metts Construction in the amount of $158,857.72; second by Mr. Morris. Vote was unanimous.
6.
A. Acceptance
of bid
B. Adoption
of Resolution
Mr. Baker recused himself and left Council Chambers because of a conflict of interest.
Mr. Caldwell moved to accept the bid of W.E. Baker & Son, Inc. in the amount of $630,796; second by Mr. Hawkins.
Mr. Hawkins stated the bid is over budget although the low bid was much lower than the other bids and the county would have to kick in more money. The last discussion we had Council decided to abolish the project.
Mr.
Pope advised that if Council does not go forward, the property would have to be
deeded back to the
Mr.
Dawkins asked if the property could be divided up or if changes could be made
with the CDBG Grant and
Mr. Hawkins stated the County had agreed to some matching funds but whoever came up with the idea of the funds needed, they were so far off. The architects left out the asbestos removal and a lot of other things had to be added after it was bid out. Mr. Hawkins stated he could not vote to accept the bid at this point because so many mistakes were made, and it is so far out of kilter.
Mr.
Caldwell stated he would be remiss if he didn’t go along with the
Mr. Summer stated we talk about it being a nice building. We have a lot of buildings that are nice, but we not using them. It costs a lot to keep them up, and if you don’t use them properly, they go down in value. Mr. Summer couldn’t see fixing up a building without a particular purpose. We agreed to matching funds, but the match now is much more than what we talked about.
There
being no further discussion, Mr. Hawkins called for the question. Voting for the motion to accept the bid: None.
Voting against the motion:
Councilmen Hawkins, Waldrop,
Mr. Baker returned to Council Chambers.
6.1 Whitmire Rescue Squad
Truck.
Mr. Dawkins explained that last year a 1985 ambulance was replaced with a 2004 ambulance and as of the last Council meeting the 1985 ambulance had not been turned in. The 1985 ambulance has now been turned in.
Mr. Dawkins moved to accept the state bid contract of $35,339.68 for a new 4x4 truck for the Whitmire Rescue Squad; second by Mr. Baker.
Mr.
Dawkins advised that when they receive this new truck, they are to turn in a
1978 Chevrolet van or transfer the title to the Town of
Mr. Hawkins advised the bid was approximately $400 over what was budgeted, but he understood Mr. Dawkins’ recommendation to be that we accept the full amount. Mr. Dawkins stated that was correct.
There being no further discussion, Mr. Hawkins called for the question. Vote was unanimous.
Mr. Summer moved to go into Executive Session to discuss an economic development matter. Vote was unanimous.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION 8:45 P.M. –
10:00 P.M.
Mr. Waldrop moved to return to regular session; second by Mr. Morris. Vote was unanimous.
7. Economic Development.
No report.
8. Special Called Council
Meeting: March 9, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
9. Regular Council
Meetings: March 16, 2005,
7:30 P.M.
April 6, 2005, 7:30 P.M.
10. Budget Hearings: March 21, 22 &
23, 2005, 7:30 P.M.
Council
Chambers
11. Budget Workshops: March 28 & 30,
2005, 7:30 P.M.
April
4, 2005, 7:30 P.M.
Council Chambers
Mr.
Hawkins reminded Council of the special called meeting on March 9 at 7:30
concerning the bonds on
Mr. Baker asked when Council would receive the budget. Mr. Sossamon advised the budget was being worked on, and Council should have it on or about March 11.
Mr. Hawkins advised of a possible conflict with the budget workshop on March 28, which is the annual meeting of the Central SC Economic Development Alliance.
Mr.
Sossamon advised that a joint resolution regarding Lynches Woods had been
prepared relating to the funds held jointly by the City of
No comments.
Mr. Waldrop moved to adjourn; second by Mr. Morris. Vote was unanimous.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:05 P.M.
NEWBERRY COUNTY COUNCIL
________________________________________
Mike Hawkins, Chairman
_________________________________________
Susan C. Fellers, Clerk to Council