Penny sales tax commission visits Pamplico to hear public ideas

PAMPLICO, S.C. -- A crowd of about two dozen people gathered Tuesday night at the Pamplico Fire Station to voice community needs possibly to be funded by a new penny sales tax in Florence County.

Scotty Campbell of Lake City, who was appointed chairman of the penny tax commission conducting similar meetings county wide, told attendees before the floor was opened to the public that those needs eventually chosen to be funded will be outlined meticulously in a November referendum vote.

Pamplico Councilwoman Harriet Cox said she and many others worked for years to bring a tennis complex to the town. She estimated the complex, complete with five courts (required for league play), a walking track and a playground would cost about $500,000.

Florence County School District 2 Superintendent Robert Sullivan said his district required many new facilities, including parking lots, safety and HVAC equipment, as well as school buses. He offered no specific cost analysis.

The use of the funds gathered from the potential penny tax have to be used for capital projects only, Campbell said, and some of Sullivan's requests require new payroll funding for which penny tax money could not be used.

Monte Tedder, fire chief for the Hannah, Salem and Friendfield Fire District said his district required two new stations and a new engine. He added his district is looking at a total of $6.6 million in necessary equipment and facility replacements during the next 10 years.

Windy Hill Fire Chief John Delung said his department needed two 20-plus-year-old engines replaced, along with many thousands of dollars worth of safety equipment. Another major necessity, he said, is to build a fire station for the department, which shares quarters with the town of Quinby.

Lastly, Pamplico Mayor Gene Gainey said his town is in dire need of a new 200,000 gallon water tank that could cost upward of $1 million. He said public agencies have warned that in the event of a natural disaster, the town could have trouble providing water to its citizens.

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Penny sales tax commission visits Pamplico to hear public ideas