Officials to hold info meeting on city hall complex, tax increase

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. — Travelers Rest staff and council members will on Thursday, March 2 hold the second public information and input meeting on a proposed city hall complex to be built adjoining Trailblazer Park and the new fire station.

Slated to cost an estimated $6 million, the approximately 17,000-square-foot complex would include city government offices, council chambers, the police station, a public works building, and a visitor's center area.

First identified as a governmental "top priority" in March 2016, officials say the current city hall facility on State Park Road is dated and in need of expansion. Following preliminary space planning sessions, officials suggested building at the new location would be an optimal solution, "streamlining the process for building permitting, business licensing and [city] administration" with all of the cities services located in one location.

In addition to using the equity from the sale of the old Poinsett Highway fire station, city officials say the project needs financing that would be paid for through the sale of 20-year bonds.

According to City Administrator Dianna Gracely, a property millage increase of 7.73 mils would need to be assessed to cover repayment of the 20-year term bonds.

On a home assessed at $100,000, the property owner would see a property tax increase of approximately $30.92 per year, Gracely said. The current rate is 85.1, with no debt millage.

Council members will discuss the public's input during March 6 committee meetings, with the first of two votes to issue bonds to be read at the March 16 council meeting if recommended by committee members.

The open house, drop-in style information/public input meeting will be held on Thurs., March 2 at the Travelers Rest Fire Dept., located at 155 Trailblazer Dr., from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

_______________

Stay connected with the Travelers Rest Tribune: eNews — Facebook — Twitter — Instagram