GUEST POST

The tax payers in Berkeley County District 7 and District 8 and some of the tax payers in Districts 3, 5 and 6 should take note.

The budget was approved on June 29 but as surely as the sun came up this morning one of the next items on the BC agenda will be the revision of the Storm Water Management Ordinance establishing a fee on the backs of the taxpayers in the unincorporated areas of this county. These taxpayers can thank the Council Representatives from Districts 7 and 8, and while you are thanking them include the Council Representatives from Districts 3 and 6.

Last September the supervisor placed a $36.00 Storm Water fee on the tax bills without Council’s knowledge and certainly without their approval, and the tax bills had been printed for mailing. This fee would have brought in $1.4 million dollars to fund the Department and the permit requirements, he said. When council was made aware of this addition to the tax bills, the supervisor “was prepared” he said, to lower the amount to $12.00 per taxpayer in the unincorporated areas. The fee was denied and at that time Council Representatives from Districts 7 and 8 voted against the fee.

The supervisor continues to say the Storm Water Department is unfunded and this year’s budget doubles the amount of the 2011-2012 budget. Does that mean he shall double the amount of the fee he proposed last year. He has the time to accomplish the fee scheme; ordinances require three months (three readings) for adoption. The tax bills are typically mailed in October. Just wait Berkeley County, the fee is coming.

Perhaps the real question may be, how many times can one be surprised and/or shocked at the actions taken by persons elected by the voters/tax payers in this county to represent us???