Penny Tax Commission stops in Pamplico for public hearing

PAMPLICO -- A crowd of about two dozen 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.

The money that the commission believes could be raised from the new penny tax, which would essentially replace a current tax set to expire, stands at about $150 million over seven years or less.

Scotty Campbell of Lake City, who was appointed chairman of the penny tax commision 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 dollar for dollar - in a November referendum vote.

You will know exactly what youre voting on, Campbell said.

Pamplico Councilwoman Harriet Cox said she and many others had 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 would have to be used for capital projects only, Campbell said, and some of Sullivan's requests would require new payroll funding for which penny tax money could not be used. Sullivan said he would gather further information about the districts needs for the commission.

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 over the next 10 years in all.

He said his district covers 165 square miles, the second largest in the county, and currently has 35 volunteers. The size of the area those volunteers have to cover with just the four current stations is nearly impossible, he said.

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 and breathing equipment. Another major necessity, he said, is to build a fire station for the department, which currently shares quarters with the town of Quinby.

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Penny Tax Commission stops in Pamplico for public hearing