Hartsville finalizes budget, lauds state champs
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Hartsville City Council put their new budget to bed and discussed issues ranging from sewer fees to sports championships at their June 11 regular meeting.
The evening began on a high note with the introduction of Hartsville’s latest top tier athletic achievement: the 2019 State Softball Championship, won by the Lady Red Foxes.
Coach Tommy Garrison lauded his team’s gutsy and disciplined play, which resulted in several shutouts and a 29-0 season record. Garrison said this was a new high for season wins. Mayor Mel Pennington and Councilman Bob Braddock introduced the team and all in attendance gave the young ladies a round of applause for a job well done.
Pennington also presented two proclamations to local organizations. First up, members of American Legion Post 53 received recognition for Centennial Day, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the American Legion, a group founded to support veterans and promote patriotism across the nation.
Coker College received a proclamation celebrating the school’s transition to Coker University, which will become official July 1. Pennington recounted some of Coker’s history, from its founding as Welsh Neck High School in 1894, to its next phase as Coker College for Women in 1908, to its co-ed life as Coker College in 1969. The school now competes in 24 NCAA Division 2 sports and offers five master’s degree programs and bachelor’s degrees in over 40 subject areas.
On the regular agenda, council held a public hearing and final reading of Ordinance 4366, the 2019/20 fiscal year budgets.
These included a General Fund budget of $10,293,878, a Water, Sewer and Waterpark Enterprise Fund budget of $6,662,259, an Infrastructure Fund budget of $521,000, a Solid Waste Fund budget of $1,499,290, a Hospitality Fee Fund budget of $995,500, an Accommodations Tax Fund budget of $200,000, a Debt Service Fund budget of $165,000, a Storm Water Fund budget of $122,354, and a Recreations Concessions Fund budget of $65,000. These new budgets will take effect July 1.
Council also approved distribution of over $119,122 in State-Local Accommodations Tax revenues to several applicants in order to promote tourism-related activities. The following disbursements were approved:
HCDF Hartsville Tourism Office (30%) – $41,617.73
HCDF Hartsville Tourism Office / Neptune Island – Marketing – $33,925.08
Butler Heritage Foundation Advertising for Heritage Week – $5,000.00
Hartsville Community Center Bldg. Commission Orchestra Pit Upgrade – $10,000.00
SC Junior Golf Foundation Advertising – $8,500
Edventure Advertising – $7,500
Hartsville Museum Foundation Exhibits – $1,500
Southeastern Baseball Classic – $2,400
Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina – $1,000
Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center – $7,680