NEWBERRY — The original estimate for the funding available for the Capital Project Sales Tax has increased from $17.5 million to $21.5 million, thanks to a carryover from the current CPST efforts, it was announced Monday night.
Theodore DuBose, CPST attorney for Newberry County, explained to the CPST Commission that $3 million will be carried over from the 2010 CPST and that $18.5 million can be bonded from the upcoming CPST, which means that if bonding — advance borrowing against future proceeds — is used, there will be $21.5 million to use for projects up front.
When the bonds are paid off there will be an estimated $2 million to be spent for projects five or so years down the road.
The CPST Commission will decide whether the county will borrow in advance to fund the majority of the projects (bonded projects) or if the county will wait until sufficient funding is collected.
In past CPST iterations, the county has chosen to borrow in advance to fund projects, which allows the majority of the projects to begin as soon as the bonds are funded.
However, if the Commission decides to go with the other option, projects will have to wait until the funding is collected, which means projects will be funded in the order they appear on the ballot.
For instance, if the top priority project costs $10 million, it will take about two and a half years to collect $7 million, to go along with the $3 million on hand being carried from the 2010 CPST.
If the Commission picks the bond route, this will allow for a “shotgun” start for $21.5 million in projects.
In other business, DuBose explained to the Commission about conflicts of interest and the Freedom of Information Act in regards to the Commission. The Commission is subject to FOIA, which means agendas have to be posted 24 hours in advance of a meeting as do any action items.
Each member of the commission is also subject to the S.C. Ethics and Government Act which means they cannot use government resources to promote the outcome of the referendum, which includes, but is not limited to paper, copier, phones and government vehicles.
Commissioners also cannot vote on a project that would be an economic benefit for either their family members or themselves.
“If somebody wants you to talk to their group, or sit down and have a cup of coffee and they are lobbying you, do not take anything from them. You can talk to them, just do not let them pay for your coffee,” DuBose said.
Violations are subject to protests that are filed with the SC Ethics Commission and penalties can include fines.
Other business
• The Commission will have meetings on April 4, April 11 and April 18 where they will hear 15-minute presentations for each of the projects, with a five minute Q&A to follow. Projects to be presented on April 4 will include renovation and restoration of Silverstreet Auditorium in Silverstreet, well rehab and water tank construction in Prosperity, Church Street/SC 72 water line replacement in Whitmire, Recreational Complex construction in Newberry, Civic Center and Recreational Complex improvements in Prosperity and Opera House HVAC improvements in Newberry.
Projects to be presented on April 11 will include well rehab and water tank construction Whitmire, computer center and library upgrades in Little Mountain, Consolidated Fire District water supply improvement in Newberry County, Newberry Museum in Newberry County, Detention Center repairs/improvements in Newberry County and Emergency Services Fire Training Complex in Newberry County.
The final projects presented on April 18 will include the Lake Murray Water Treatment transmission and pumping upgrades (NCWSA), Mid-Carolina Commerce Park storage tank and main (NCWSA), Old Pomaria School Building renovations in Pomaria, Emergency Services Radio System in Newberry County, Town Hall/Police Department remodel/upgrades in Whitmire, and demolition of Old School Building/relocation of park and walking track in Silverstreet.