Public Communication Forum Recap and Greenville County Citizens Academy Graduation

Councilman Blount’s Newsletter 11-14-24

Greenville County Citizens Academy

The Greenville County Citizen’s Academy is a new program started this year designed to educate and engage residents on the inner workings of county government. Through this course, participants gain insights into various departments and services, learning how Greenville County operates to serve its citizens. On Tuesday, the County hosted a graduation for the citizens who completed the course.

I am proud to share that one of District 19’s own, Mrs. Rhonda Tucker, has completed this program. I want to recognize her achievement and look forward to working with her to ensure that District 19 continues moving in the direction our citizens want!

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Public Communications Forum (Citizen Comments/Concerns)

Thank you to everyone who joined us at this Tuesday’s Public Communication Forum. These meetings are a vital part of our county’s ongoing efforts to address issues openly, invite public input, and create policies that align with the needs and values of our citizens. Here’s a breakdown of the topics discussed, along with some of the most significant citizen concerns that were raised:

Animal Welfare

Resources and Facilities: Citizens emphasized the need for more resources dedicated to animal welfare. Requests included additional trucks for transporting animal food and a drop-off box for supplies at the county, and many voiced frustration over current penalties for animal abandonment, sharing incidents of dogs being dumped or even thrown over fences.

Shelter Policies: Questions were raised about the county’s “no-kill” shelter policies, including dog size restrictions, as citizens want to ensure the shelter system is equipped to meet the needs of all animals effectively.

Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)

Process and Public Engagement: Multiple citizens expressed concern that the UDO process seems rushed and lacks ample opportunity for public input. Many urged the county to slow down to allow for more community engagement.

Legal Concerns: There were also questions about the UDO’s alignment with state laws and worries about potential effects on property values and livelihoods.

Support and Density Impact: While some support exists from groups like Upstate Forever, other citizens voiced concerns about increased development density, particularly in areas like Pebble Creek.

Metro Expansion

Legal Clarification Needed: Citizens questioned the legal basis for the metro expansion, urging transparency around the legal framework supporting this initiative.

Transparency

Livestreaming Preservation: Citizens advocated for the preservation of all public meeting livestreams, stressing the importance of transparency and easy access to county proceedings.

Pebble Creek Development

Growth and Density Concerns: Pebble Creek residents emphasized a desire for careful planning in their community, worrying that the UDO could encourage more dense development than they feel is appropriate.

Taxes and Bonds

Greenville Sanitation Bond: Some citizens raised concerns about the proposed $34 million bond for Greater Greenville Sanitation (GGS), asking for more detail on how the funds will be used and suggesting that GGS might benefit from a management overhaul. Specific issues around odor control were also mentioned, indicating a need for possible infrastructure improvements.

Land Use and Zoning

Junkyards and Compliance: Concerns about junkyards, particularly Adams Scrap Yard, were voiced as residents worry about the negative impact on nearby property values. They expressed frustration over perceived compliance issues, pointing out what they see as a pattern of rezoning by the scrapyard to avoid citations.

Camp Sevier Land Issues: Citizens also requested updates on the status of Camp Sevier, particularly regarding Green City’s involvement and how the land is being managed.

Innovation

Transportation Needs: Calls were made for innovative solutions to improve transportation and infrastructure within the county, emphasizing the importance of better accessibility.

Greenville Growth

District Reinvestment: Citizens from a District raised concerns about feeling overlooked in terms of reinvestment. They asked for infrastructure improvements, such as sidewalks, to support their community’s growth and safety.

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Public Communications Forum Guest Speaker Max Stewart CEO of GADC (Greenville Area Development Corporation)

There was presentation by Max Stewart from the Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) on the role of Fee in Lieu of Taxes (FILOT) agreements in attracting and retaining businesses in Greenville. Stewart explained that FILOT agreements convert property taxes to a fixed fee structure, making Greenville competitive with neighboring states. Given South Carolina’s high industrial property tax rates, FILOT offers businesses a way to manage costs, locking in lower tax rates for up to 30 years and ensuring stability for companies making long-term investments.

Councilman Opinion: While FILOT’s has been successful in attracting job-creating industries and helping diversify our local economy, I have real concerns about setting limits for these incentives. I believe these agreements should be reserved for targeted industries with proven potential for positive economic impact. They should not, in my view, be extended to developers or speculative building projects, which we currently have five of on the agenda for a second reading. Without clear boundaries, we risk diluting the value of FILOT, and we must avoid “giving away the farm” at the expense of our community’s long-term interests.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this update. Your involvement and awareness are vital to making informed decisions for our community’s future. I appreciate your commitment to staying engaged, and I look forward to continuing these conversations as we work together to address the issues that matter most to Greenville County.

Stay safe out there in this weather and look forward to updating you again soon!