EUTAWVILLE TOWN COUNCIL: Town imposes new tax, raises water rates

They also voted to impose a 2 percent local hospitality tax on the sales of prepared meals and beverages. Businesses must collect the tax from customers and remit the money to the town once a month.

Also, the council gave final approval to stricter rules for the placement of modular and manufactured houses.

Too, the council annexed the portion of the property at 113 Third St. that was not already in the town limits. The property owner already pays town taxes.

The town boundary cuts through several properties and at least one prominent business. Town officials are encouraging owners of those properties to petition the town to annex the entire property.

Town officials are also seeking petitions for annexation of properties along Old Number Six Highway from the Hot Spot store eastward to Magnolias of Eutawville as well as properties beyond the town limits toward St. James-Gaillard Elementary School.

Guest speaker Diana Colvin spoke on the services available at the Clemson Health Clinic in Orangeburg.

Councilman Harry Lee Brown reported that he met with a South Carolina Department of Transportation official about the ditch behind the railroad track. The DOT street sweeper cleaned up the streets in town and DOT employees agreed to work on potholes.

Councilman James Nutt reported that the police chief is working on getting information on leases for police vehicles.

Councilman Roger Adkins reported that the water system distributed 914,776 gallons of water in February. The Fire Department used 88,750 gallons and had 29 calls for service.

Those were the highlights of the council’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 12, as recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

On Tuesday, April 9, the council held its next monthly meeting.

Town Clerk Casey Hill reported that the town’s annual Easter egg hunt on March 30 drew a crowd and was enjoyed by all.

The council gave first reading approval to the annexation of the portions of two additional parcels that are not already in the town limits.

Brown noted that Eutawville has only two part-time employees to perform roadside maintenance, so he asked the public to “have a little patience,” especially when the grass is growing quickly. The town is accepting applications for another maintenance employee.

Adkins reported that the water system distributed 954,131 gallons of water in March.

Nutt reported that the police issued 74 citations in March.

A town resident complained that stormwater flows from the fire station property onto his property.

He also complained that he frequently loses his Brightspeed Internet connection. Others in attendance said they do, too. Eutawville does have a franchise agreement with Brightspeed, but town officials have no regulatory authority over Internet service providers.

The council met in executive session to discuss a disputed property line, but could not resolve the matter.

On the following evening, Wednesday, April 10, the council held a workshop meeting to discuss how they would spend the revenues if Orangeburg County voters approve a new round of the “penny” capital projects sales tax in the November general election.

They decided to request funding for water/sewer improvements and land acquisition; streetscape, signage, landscaping enhancements, and land acquisition; and facilities and property improvements and land acquisitions.

The Eutawville Town Council’s next monthly meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, at 6 p.m. in the Community Center, 419 Porcher Ave. Call 803-492-3374 for more information.