We have been pleased to see a concerted effort to verify residency when it comes to use of transfer stations. For too long people from neighboring counties have made themselves at home using Greenville County facilities. We hope this effort is for the long haul.
A couple of decades ago stickers for autos were supplied but I can't say how disciplined the distribution was. It seems if the resident & vehicle are both verified as Greenville County taxpaying residents then the stickers could be tried again, saving on manpower requirements.
This seems to be something happening way too often, even if less than prior years, so I completely agree that we need to do something to verify residency!
Loved this one. Thanks for the thoughtful commentary, and for the shout out about the Trust. I think a multifaceted plan to guide growth is key as there are no silver bullets to solve our communities problems.
Without a doubt YOU have been more open, honest, forthright, and transparent than ANY other District 19 council member we have ever had. All of us in THIS district are more THANKFUL than you will ever know for these traits that you uphold and that YOU are the Chairman of this current County Council!! Kacky Elliott
Great newsletter. Glad to see that the funding mechanisms for local governments are being examined. I would suggest looking at the Local Option Sales Tax. It would provide a substantial reduction in property taxes and a portion could also be used to provide funding for open space and transportation. Visitors from outside the county would be contributing to the local government burden with the purchases they make. Lowering property taxes would help make mortgage payments lower and thus help with housing affordability. There are plenty of local examples to research as 32 counties (out of 46) already have it in place.
I am so grateful for your clear and principled leadership. This latest post is just one more example of the excellent communication in what we all need to practice. I am particularly enthused about your plan to replace the egregious FILOT and tax model. We can’t afford to give away our and our kids’ future for a present piece of (short term) prosperity.
I totally understand but that is the exact reason to play for us. I don't expect it to happen at all. It was meant mostly as a compliment! Glad you shared. Maybe one day you'll surprise us!
I want to suggest you play a song in place of the prayer before each county meeting to put all in a nice frame of mind and be entertained. Now who wouldn't enjoy that? Something different and soothing as well. Please tell me when should one oppose the library budget. It was only after the board deliberated and made their decision that we all knew about it right? We are not happy with what they came up with. Where in this process should we verbalize that if not at the county meetings? Should we attend the board meetings for that? Can we, even if we are not on the board? Just wondering as this is new to me, becoming involved in my local govt. thanks.
As far as the music. That is my happy place, my refuge, and my passion. I don’t know that I want it to be mixed in with the often tense environment of council. I try to keep those as separate as possible.
The last thing I want to think of when walking on stage to sing is someone being angry at me about something.😅 That’s unfortunately every day in the chamber.
Ideally, it would be during the library board budget process, although I’m sure it’s not the easiest schedule to access compared to the county budget. That’s a great point that I will express to our communication committee. We should have a better process of at least information on these meetings so the county can help citizens know when the processes are taking place!
It is great that council is looking into impact fees and tasked the Planning Commission to report back. Consider how the PC can complete the study without a staff or budget. In the past they have relied on the county administrative staff for resources. The results were usually biased by these resources. The PC will need resources to do this work and alternative measures should be considered to avoid county staff bias.
I appreciate your goals & openness about real, on-going County challenges!
I have several suggestions & would like to speak with you directly. My ideas are a couple of topics:
- deploy Innovative ways to reduce road congestion & improve mobility for all using private $$ for CapEx and user $$ for OpEx. We could initiate actions quickly.
- improving mobility for employees from housing to jobs would help employers reduce absenteeism & tardiness - help attract & keep strong companies in GVL
- one way to increase County property tax income is for the state to rescind Act 388 - the 3% max annual assessment increase. Many properties are increasing 10-20% per year.
I was chosen by whom? By all means, share anything I’ve done to destroy anything in Greenville or South Carolina. Do I feel like I’m talented? Only through the gifts the Lord provides. Is this a riddle?
I get that you want to get under people’s skin, but it just doesn’t work with me. Feel free to call me any other kind of instrument you like, it doesn’t change who I am or what I stand for. As far as FOIA over the last penny sales tax, have at it. I spent zero dollars and used only free information platforms to deliver my concerns about the proposal, most of which are right here in my substack.
Again….you must be confusing me with someone else.
I am not sure if they know or care, but I know who they are. They are angry that the people they supported were defeated in the last election. As a result, I am guilty by default, so they try to attack me like this and sometimes with absolute lies. I guess part of me thinks that at some point, they will realize that I am not the enemy they want me to be. I know that will likely never be the case because bitterness is a dangerous drug, but at least I can say I tried.😅
Your leadership is exceptional! “Outbursts” from anyone are intolerable!
Your “vision” is exactly on-target!
Stay the course!
We have been pleased to see a concerted effort to verify residency when it comes to use of transfer stations. For too long people from neighboring counties have made themselves at home using Greenville County facilities. We hope this effort is for the long haul.
A couple of decades ago stickers for autos were supplied but I can't say how disciplined the distribution was. It seems if the resident & vehicle are both verified as Greenville County taxpaying residents then the stickers could be tried again, saving on manpower requirements.
This seems to be something happening way too often, even if less than prior years, so I completely agree that we need to do something to verify residency!
Loved this one. Thanks for the thoughtful commentary, and for the shout out about the Trust. I think a multifaceted plan to guide growth is key as there are no silver bullets to solve our communities problems.
Without a doubt YOU have been more open, honest, forthright, and transparent than ANY other District 19 council member we have ever had. All of us in THIS district are more THANKFUL than you will ever know for these traits that you uphold and that YOU are the Chairman of this current County Council!! Kacky Elliott
Thank you very much!!!
Great newsletter. Glad to see that the funding mechanisms for local governments are being examined. I would suggest looking at the Local Option Sales Tax. It would provide a substantial reduction in property taxes and a portion could also be used to provide funding for open space and transportation. Visitors from outside the county would be contributing to the local government burden with the purchases they make. Lowering property taxes would help make mortgage payments lower and thus help with housing affordability. There are plenty of local examples to research as 32 counties (out of 46) already have it in place.
I am so grateful for your clear and principled leadership. This latest post is just one more example of the excellent communication in what we all need to practice. I am particularly enthused about your plan to replace the egregious FILOT and tax model. We can’t afford to give away our and our kids’ future for a present piece of (short term) prosperity.
Stay the course and keep the faith.
I totally understand but that is the exact reason to play for us. I don't expect it to happen at all. It was meant mostly as a compliment! Glad you shared. Maybe one day you'll surprise us!
I will never say never!:)
I want to suggest you play a song in place of the prayer before each county meeting to put all in a nice frame of mind and be entertained. Now who wouldn't enjoy that? Something different and soothing as well. Please tell me when should one oppose the library budget. It was only after the board deliberated and made their decision that we all knew about it right? We are not happy with what they came up with. Where in this process should we verbalize that if not at the county meetings? Should we attend the board meetings for that? Can we, even if we are not on the board? Just wondering as this is new to me, becoming involved in my local govt. thanks.
As far as the music. That is my happy place, my refuge, and my passion. I don’t know that I want it to be mixed in with the often tense environment of council. I try to keep those as separate as possible.
The last thing I want to think of when walking on stage to sing is someone being angry at me about something.😅 That’s unfortunately every day in the chamber.
Ideally, it would be during the library board budget process, although I’m sure it’s not the easiest schedule to access compared to the county budget. That’s a great point that I will express to our communication committee. We should have a better process of at least information on these meetings so the county can help citizens know when the processes are taking place!
It is great that council is looking into impact fees and tasked the Planning Commission to report back. Consider how the PC can complete the study without a staff or budget. In the past they have relied on the county administrative staff for resources. The results were usually biased by these resources. The PC will need resources to do this work and alternative measures should be considered to avoid county staff bias.
Great update and very informative!
Thanks so much!!
129799 Code
Chairman,
I appreciate your goals & openness about real, on-going County challenges!
I have several suggestions & would like to speak with you directly. My ideas are a couple of topics:
- deploy Innovative ways to reduce road congestion & improve mobility for all using private $$ for CapEx and user $$ for OpEx. We could initiate actions quickly.
- improving mobility for employees from housing to jobs would help employers reduce absenteeism & tardiness - help attract & keep strong companies in GVL
- one way to increase County property tax income is for the state to rescind Act 388 - the 3% max annual assessment increase. Many properties are increasing 10-20% per year.
I hope we can talk soon!
Fred Payne 864-884-8899
Awesome. Keep up the good work.
And I ❤️ the Song - you have awesome voice
As a veteran on Memorial Day weekend I will add this man’s message to your song.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16FjpQQHgM/?mibextid=wwXIfr
No mention of the “fat cow”?
I have never called anyone or anything a fat cow…..other than a fat cow. Are you confusing me with someone else?
You were chosen for your smarts to destroy Greenville and S.C. Do you feel like you are talented?
I was chosen by whom? By all means, share anything I’ve done to destroy anything in Greenville or South Carolina. Do I feel like I’m talented? Only through the gifts the Lord provides. Is this a riddle?
You are a tool and nothing more! I pray those in S.C. send in the FOIA requests on the “penny tax” from last year’s campaign of “vote no” 😉
I get that you want to get under people’s skin, but it just doesn’t work with me. Feel free to call me any other kind of instrument you like, it doesn’t change who I am or what I stand for. As far as FOIA over the last penny sales tax, have at it. I spent zero dollars and used only free information platforms to deliver my concerns about the proposal, most of which are right here in my substack.
Again….you must be confusing me with someone else.
Benton, why even waste your time with this guy or gal who goes nameless?
I am not sure if they know or care, but I know who they are. They are angry that the people they supported were defeated in the last election. As a result, I am guilty by default, so they try to attack me like this and sometimes with absolute lies. I guess part of me thinks that at some point, they will realize that I am not the enemy they want me to be. I know that will likely never be the case because bitterness is a dangerous drug, but at least I can say I tried.😅
I hear the penny tax is likely to be on the table again lol. You cut mileage by a measly 1.5 and increased the budget spending by 23% - time will tell