NEWBERRY COUNTY — Newberry County has set the total tax levy for 2017-18 at 382 mills for county and Newberry County School District purposes.

The county millage rate was set at 142.2 — 125 mills for the General Fund, 10.2 mills for General Obligation Bonds, 7 mills for Community Services and no mills for Reserve Funds.

For the Newberry County School District the total mills were 239.8 — 186.8 mills for the General Fund and 53 mills for General Obligation Bonds.

“This is my ninth time I have come before you with this, thank you for allowing me to recommend the 2017-18 Newberry County Tax Levy,” said Donna Lominack, Newberry County Auditor.

County Administrator Wayne Adams said that 142.2 mills has been the county’s six year average.

“I think we can say that council has stabilized the millage levy. Also that is 16.8 mills less than the 2008 levy of 159 mills,” he said.

The anticipated value of one mill for county purposes is $128,000, for school purposes is $135,757 and for school purposes (legal residences) $85,167.

In other business council passed two resolutions, both with the same language, that provide preliminary approval for certain incentives that pertain to two potential 75-megawatt solar farm projects, approximately 500 acres in size. The selection of these project locations is competitive and final determinations are still pending.

“An inducement resolution indicates community support for a project and provides assurances with respect to the local property tax incentives that will be offered,” Adams said.

In both cases, the projects are seeking fee in lieu of taxes treatment, along with special source revenue credits equal to 68 percent of the resulting fee stream. Revenue from each of the two projects is expected to be approximately $350,000, all levies combined, per year, net of the aforementioned property tax incentives.

The investment amount for each of the two projects is estimated at $100 million. The first resolution passed after Councilman Scott Cain made a motion, and Councilman Steve Stockman seconded. The second resolution passed after Councilwoman Harriett Rucker made a motion and Cain seconded.

Both of these projects will need to meet requirements of the county’s Zoning Ordinance. Solar farms must be located on property zoned Industrial and must meet additional conditions listed under the Newberry County Code of Ordinances.

Other business

• The following county employees were recognized: James McDonald, Clerk of Court’s Office, five years; Tammy Claytor, Sheriff’s Office, 10 years; Gene Shealy II, Assessor’s Office, 10 years; Laura Lane, Clerk of Court’s Office, 20 years; and George Palmore, Sheriff’s Office, 20 years.

• Council held a public hearing then approved third and final reading of an ordinance to rezone 7.02 acres from Single Family Residential to Rural to allow for horses.

• Council held a public hearing then approved third and final reading of an ordinance to rezone a f 1 acre parcel designated General Commercial to Single Family Residential to continue for residential purposes.

• Council held a public hearing then approved second reading of an ordinance authorizing the county to acquire the Caterpillar building and contiguous property for the use by Samsung and related parties, and to lease the property back to the company/companies as necessary.

• Council approved first reading of an ordinance authorizing the expansion of the boundaries of the Greenwood-Newberry Industrial Park for the benefit of the Samsung Project to include certain property located in Newberry County.

• Council approved the County’s FOIA policy to reflect recent statutory changes in the SC Freedom of Information Act. Notably, FOIA requests and the responses to those requests are grouped into two categories, based on the age of the documents being requested. For document two years old or newer, the county has 10 business days to answer a request for production and 30 calendar days (beyond the date of an affirmative answer) to produce.

For older documents the time frames are 20 business days and 35 days. Additionally, prevailing local market rates now apply to charging for copies. Staff determined these rates to be 15 cents per page for black and white copies and 50 cents per page for color copies.

• Council approved a bid from Satterfield Construction for $48,900 for Paul Long Road repairs, funded by CTC. Council also approved a bid from Satterfield for $127,600 for Brannon Road repairs, funded by CTC.

George Palmore and James McDonald were recognized for their years of service to Newberry County.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0567.jpgGeorge Palmore and James McDonald were recognized for their years of service to Newberry County. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@s24514.p831.sites.pressdns.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-768-3122 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.