County Council Chair Willis Presents "State of the County"

Pickens County Council Chair Jennifer Willis addressed members of the during a third Thursday luncheon at in Easley.

Willis presented “The State of the County,” breaking it into five concentrated areas: no tax increase, public safety, transportation, economic development and the EPA.

No tax increase

In the next budget year, Willis said the county will not increase taxes.

“We have lived within our means for seven years,” Willis told the audience. “We’ve been through the same economy that you have. We are leaner, we are meaner, we are more effective, and more efficient.”

Willis said the county has absorbed approximately $4 million in state budget cuts, while receiving no relief in state-mandated programs. She said in four years, the county has eliminated 45 positions on the county-level through attrition.

In that time, Willis said the county was mandated to add one position last year, because of a DHEC storm water regulation.

“We are conscious of our responsibilities as stewards of your tax dollars,” Willis said. “And we believe it is our duty to take care of this beautiful county that we have.”

Willis said they are continuing to look at the budget each month and to make adjustments, as needed.

Willis also said that council is looking at the losses the county will have this year in terms of tax revenue. She said with properties like The Cliffs falling into bankruptcy, that money that will come off of the tax rolls this year.

Willis said the budget will be received in May. She said council will have a work session in the first two weeks of May. The budget is expected to be ready by the end of June.

Public Safety

The county has assessed both the county fire and EMS stations, as well as response times. Willis said this was done because of the changes in the ISO structure and ratings system.

ISO ratings are assigned to fire departments and rate the department's response times, how departments are equipped, manpower, size of the district and the training of individuals at that department. These were measured in a five-mile radius in the past, but that rule has now been changed to five road miles.

Easley Fire Department ratings are 3, Willis said. However, with the changes in ISO, some areas in Pickens County were rated higher, resulting in penalties for homeowners in those areas.

Willis said council have been re-evaluating where to put fire trucks in the county. She said council would continue to evaluate areas of need within the county, as they go through the budget process.

Transportation

Willis said that transportation planning in Pickens County is difficult, as there are five entities the county has to work with in terms of planning for roadways.

After the last Census, Willis said Pickens County could potentially form its own agency to look at road planning in the area because of the increase of people to the county. Willis said the change could not come overnight, but that council is beginning to discuss how the county would pull out of the Greenville Pickens Area Transportation System.

Economic Development

“Economic development drives everything,” Willis said.

Last year, Pickens County brought 547 new jobs and $26 million in economic investment to the area, Willis said.

Willis, who has focused on economic development, has helped to recruit new businesses and to retain existing businesses, since she began working on council eight years ago.

Many of those businesses went on to expand operations, creating more than 3,700 new jobs and $152 million investment during those eight years.

Willis said there are many other opportunities out there.

“We have a workforce that is dedicated,” Willis said. “We have kids coming out of our schools in a robotics program that are making national headlines. We had a company announce they were coming here because of that program.”

 Willis said Tri-County Tech campus in Pickens County also has made an impact in business recruitment and development.

The Economic Development Board is working with technical school, as well as the school district to develop a dedicated workforce.

EPA

Willis said the county is working diligently to hold the EPA accountable for PCB cleanup in 12-Mile River. Willis said the waterway is a recreational asset, in addition to being a feeder for drinking water for some residents of Pickens County.

“We are holding them accountable,” Willis said. “They have to understand that they have to answer to us. We are responsible for your health and welfare.”