Hartsville advances $20 million budget
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Hartsville City Council held a short called meeting on May 29 and passed first reading of the 2018/19 fiscal year budgets, totaling nearly $20 million.
These budgets include a General Fund of $10,029,796, a Water, Sewer, and Waterpark Enterprise Fund budget of $6,443,857, an Infrastructure Fund budget of $520,500, a Solid Waste Fund budget of $1,344,800, a Hospitality Fee Fund budget of $995,100, an Accommodations Tax Fund budget of $185,000, a Debt Service Fund budget of $165,000, a Storm Water Fund budget of $106,327, and a Recreations Concessions Fund budget of $105,000.
Mayor Mel Pennington noted that this new budget includes no tax increases. The new budget will be up for final reading at Hartsville City Council’s June 12 regular meeting and will go into effect on July 1, 2018.
Also on the agenda, Council passed first reading of Ordinance 4335, which would implement a new and more flexible purchasing policy. Under these policies, department heads would have discretion to make small purchases up to $9,999 without using competitive bidding. Purchases ranging from $10,000 to $24,499 would require written quotations and competitive pricing. For purchases ranging from $25,000 to $99,999, requests for proposals and solicitations for competitive bids will be issued. In the case of a $100,000 or greater purchase, sealed bidding will take place, along with formal requests for proposals and quotes.
Council passed first reading of Ordinance 4337, increasing the water rates for in-town customers to a minimum monthly bill of $19.57 for the first 2,244 gallons and $3.48 for every 1,000 additional gallons. Out of town customers will see minimum monthly bills of $35.82 and $6.37 for every additional 1,000 gallons. Sewer rates will also be increased for in-town customers (monthly minimum of $17.97 plus $3.54 per 1,000 gallons of usage) and out of town customers (monthly minimum of $32.89 plus $6.48 per 1,000 gallons of usage).
Ordinance 4338 passed first reading, and would approve continuing the rate structure for commercial solid waste fees.
A roll cart emptied once per week will cost $38.63, an extra roll cart will cost $17.43, and dumpster rates will range from $76.67 for a four-yard container dumped once per week to $1,268.56 for an eight-yard container dumped ten times per week.
Also at this meeting, city manager Natalie Zeigler introduced Shannon Munoz as the city’s new economic and community development director. Munoz previously held this same position with the Pee Dee Council of Governments.
“I’m very excited to be with the City of Hartsville. Over the years, I’ve been following Hartsville and I’m very excited over all the new opportunities here,” said Munoz.
