AIKEN --- Aiken City Council members will consider a list of projects from six local agencies that could be funded through a 1-cent sales tax.
Council members decided to hear the proposals from the teen center, the YMCA, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the University of South Carolina Aiken, the Center for African American History and the Aiken Railroad Depot during the council's two-day Horizon Retreat over the weekend.
Agency representatives will present the project proposals at 5 p.m. Feb. 15 in council chambers, said City Manager Roger LeDuc.
During the retreat, directors of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism; the Aiken Department of Public Safety; and Aiken Public Works put in their bids for the Capital Projects Improvement Sales Tax funds.
The tax would bring in an estimated $38 million, LeDuc said.
The parks department would use the money to improve Citizens Park and purchase land for a new park in north Aiken.
Public Works wants to add sidewalks near area schools and resurface roads, including Potterhouse Road Extension and University Parkway, LeDuc said.
Public Safety proposed adding a fire station in north Aiken and computers to every safety vehicle.
"The plan is to make public safety more effective and efficient," he said.
"No definite plans were made. The council members just heard the proposals for city departments."
The projects proposed over the weekend would cost $36 million, LeDuc said.
The council will finalize the list of projects and the amount of funding for each project by next month.
The 1-cent sales tax would be added as a bond referendum to the general election ballot in November, LeDuc said.
If approved, collections would begin in 2012 and continue until 2019.
Here's an idea. Let's only spend tax money on government projects and quit funding private organizations. Taxpayers are tired of being fleeced and panhandled by small groups who think that their cause is so important it deserves our money. Any private organization that is worthwhile can find private funding, donations, or sponsorship.
This is an admirable idea, but i do not think that any tax increase in this economy is desirable or wise. Additional tax increases i have heard of have included increased cell phone, grocery, and gas taxes! Most of us cannot afford to foot increased taxes right now! The best part about the phone tax is that they are going to be taxing cell phones, the blooming technology, to fund land lines, a century old antiquated technology. With the economy how it is, it is simply not fair or wise to expect us to pay more.
Stop taxing people to death! Public safety is a necessity. Sidewalks are public works projects that benefit a city and adds safety. But a old railroad depot?? This is the kind of pork that needs to be stopped. I agree fully, if it's a governmental agency, fund it. If it's a private agency, they raise it themselves. If the public thinks it's worthwhile, it'll gladly donate. This never should be funded by the City of Aiken, not when its citizens are in need of basic human necessities.
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