Activities that promote tourism in Clinton will be boosted by the appropriations of about 80,000 dollars in accommodations and hospitality tax money.
Proceeds from the extra one-cent sales tax on hotel, bed and breakfast, and air b-n-b stays go to the State first, then get reimbursed back to cities - counties also can choose to levy an ATAX. Volunteer-citizens committees decide which organizations qualify for the money, and how much each groups gets. Kay Addison chairs the City of Clinton ATAX Committee as a representative of the arts community.
She made the committee’s recommendations to the full City Council last Monday evening (Oct. 6):
Clinton Canopy, $2,500;
Clinton YMCA, $15,000;
Laurens County Community Theatre, $10,000;
Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, $15,000;
Presbyterian College family and friends weekend, $5,000;
Laurens County Rev 250, $5,000; and
Main Street Clinton - all the leftover money - $24,966.92.
Addison said she wanted to make a personal contribution to make it “an even amount” but that was not allowed. “I am OCD about numbers,” she said.
Addison said the committee will discuss before next year’s round of appropriations how to get the word out to more groups that the money is available for their promotions. Except in rare cases, the money cannot be spent for capital expenses (vehicles, buildings, maintenance equipment, and so forth).
It can be spent for advertising and promotional material designed to bring more people — not residents who already live here — into the community for activities.
These 7 organizations applied during this funding cycle, and Addison said the first thing the ATAX Committee did was decide that all 7 are eligible to receive the money, based on their applications.
The application and qualification dates are in August and September.
There were no public comments on agenda items during this Oct. 6 regular council meeting. The Council declared Nov. 7 to be Arbor Day in Clinton, October to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Oct. 5 - 11 to be Public Power Week (there are 21 communities in South Carolina, including Clinton and Laurens, that are public power cities).
The Council agreed with an administration recommendation to have members of the Planning Commission whose terms have expired, or are soon to expire, or have just started a term to have a 12-month extension to their term. City Manager Joey Meadors said the commission is deep into development of the city’s new Comprehensive Plan, and bringing on new members now would slow that process. The motion for that extension passed 6-1, with council member Megan Walsh opposing.
Meadors reported that the City will receive $371,773 from Laurens County in a fire contract that extends City Fire service in a 5-mile radius outside the city limits. Next year’s appropriation will be 50% on Jan. 15, 25% on April 15, and the remainder by June 15. Council Member Danny Cook said that Jan. 15 date is troublesome, since City Fire will have expenses for that money to cover between July (beginning of a new fiscal year) and January (beginning of a new calendar year). Meadors also said in next year’s negotiations, he will be asking the County for more money related to fire protection.
The City Budget expected $371,000 from the County (based on past appropriations) so actually Clinton is $773 to the good in this budget item.
Council agreed to allow a connection to a sewer trunk line behind the Recreation Complex on Hwy 56 for the developers of the Dutton Farms subdivision. Meadors said this action is consistent with the other residential developments coming to the City - developers pay for the water and sewer lines going into and throughout subdivisions.
Council agreed to accept a $31,000 loan-forgiveness-eligible appropriation from the SC Water Revolving Fund for a study about dealing with “forever chemicals” in the water supply. The City is bracing for what the federal EPA* will require cities and public water providers to do related to eradicating these chemicals to improve water purity. Many communities around the country have joined class-action lawsuits against chemical companies, to take advantage of a settlement pool of money; others have decided to wait and file those actions if they are deemed necessary.
Meadors reported that the City has issued the 5% match that would be needed if it is provided a SC Municipal Association grant to fund a Downtown Master Plan, and reported on changes he has made to the codes enforcement division, to keep up with inspections of new houses and the continuing work of inspecting existing houses in the city. Meadors said the City does not want to turn on the power to a substandard house, when old residents move out and new residents move in, without holding someone accountable for repairs.
Meadors also reported on extensive repairs to the Police/Fire Station (former city hall) on North Broad Street, the Rec Complex on Hwy 56, and infrastructure work on city streets that will require repaving for those thoroughfares.
Council Member Danny Smith congratulated Thornwell on its 150th Anniversary, and Council Member Gary Kuykendall recognized Clinton Tire’s 50th Anniversary.
*EPA = Environmental Protection Agency
