Once again…Charleston County chooses recreation over education as FY 2019 Budget is released

aThe 2019 Charleston County budget has been released and once again, distribution of funds is being is adversely related to the true needs of the county. Hidden behind a 504 page narrative, the focus of funding for the $240.7 million dollar budget is less on education, economic development and health/wellness than it is on culture and recreation.

Here is the breakdown of categorical funding:

• General Government – $151.2 Million
• Public Safety – $116.6 Million
• Transfer Out – $82.4 Million
• Debt Service – $75.6 Million
• Public Works – $60.6 Million
• Fund Balance – $39.5 Million
• Culture / Recreation – $36.3 Million
• Judicial – $32.2 Million
• Health / Welfare – $15.1 Million
• Education – $7.4 Million
• Economic Development – $5.1 Million

Once again, Health / Welfare, Education and Economic Development round out the bottom of funding and if combined ($27.6 Million), all three categories still fall short of Culture / Recreation by $10.6 Million). As we continue to examine why education in South Carolina ranks in the lower 10% year after year, we do not have to look far to find answers.

Where is the money coming from?

• Sales Tax – $203.9 Million
• Property Tax – $165.1 Million
• Charges / Fees – $126.5 Million
• Intergovt – $42.5 Million
• Fund Balance – $33.5 Million
• Transfer In – $30.0 Million
• Licenses / Payments – $5.2 Million
• Miscellaneous – $4.4 Million
• Debt Proceeds – $3.6 Million
• Interest – $3.5 Million
• Fines / Forfeitures – $1.7 Million
• Leases / Rentals – $0.7 Million

If the Sales Tax number strikes you as quite high, it is because Charleston County has the highest sales tax rate in the state of South Carolina at 9.0%

A few excerpts from the narrative

• Given the growth, there was an 80% decrease in number of roads inspected from FY 2017 (351) to FY 2018 (69)
• Charleston County population growth decreased (percentage) from FY 2017 (1.8%) to FY 2018 (1.23%)
• Permits issued: FY 2017 – 11,928 / FY 2018 – 11,853 / Projection: FY 2019 – 12,000
• Veteran Affairs Office Visits/Contacts – FY 2017 – 28,087 / FY 2018 – 42,566 (52% increase)
• Library Goals: Open 2 new libraries in 2018, and begin construction on 3 new libraries – Decline in library visits: FY 2017 – 1,670,712 / FY 2018 – 1,543,027
• Number of active voters declined: FY 2017 – 286,008 / FY 2018 – 269,445

Complete 504 Page Narrative – FY 2019 Budget