Greer Council Votes to Seek Legal Opinion on Rec District Deal

In a 5-2 vote Tuesday evening, Greer City Council voted to seek the opinion of the City's attorney regarding the recent passage of a resolution that forces Greer to be a part of Greenville County's Recreation District.

Greenville County Council voted last week to absorb the special-purpose Recreation District and it would now become a county department.

Greer Council members voiced frustration with the process, the lack of transparency and the dearth of information given to city officials.

The vote by Greenville County Council means that now the cities of Greenville, Greer, Mauldin and Simpsonville will become part of the tax base that supports the parks, trails and other recreation facilities that have been part of the rec district. That means taxpayers in the four cities can expect a tax increase, while residents everywhere else in the county could see a decrease if taxes are rolled back to accommodate the larger tax base.

Greer council members spoke in opposition of the resolution. The measure would in essence force a double-taxation on city residents who are already paying for the city's recreation department.

Council member Judy Albert said that it doesn't seem fair. "Why are we having to supplement and pay more as a city?"

Albert, along with other members of council, questioned what the city and its taxpayers were going to see for its money.

"We are going to be pouring money into a system to take care of what they already have," said Wryley Bettis. "There's no excuse for the process they used."

Bettis cited the bill's origins dating back to January, but yet, Greer officials had no knowledge of the plan until April.

Bettis offered a motion to authorize the City Administrator Ed Driggers to get a legal opinion on whether or not, either in the document or the process, there is the possibility of a challenge. The motion was seconded by Wayne Griffin. 

Council member Kimberly Bookert and Mayor Rick Danner voted to oppose seeking legal advice.

Danner said that he voted "no," because it would seem hypocritical on his part.

Danner has been very vocal about his opposition of the bill, having talked to members of the House and Senate and to members of County Council. 

"I am a big proponent of a regional approach," Danner said. "We work hard to be a part of this region and we work very hard to work with other municipalities to make sure that we are a part of finding solutions for more regional problems.

Danner said that his hope is to now shift the focus to find ways that they can tell the citizens of Greer that they are getting something for their money.

"This is where we need to hold County Council's feet to the fire now to visibly produce some evidence that their (the citizens of Greer) money is being spent in a way that is beneficial to the city," Danner said. 

Danner said there is an opportunity to work with the county, even though the city doesn't agree with how it was handled, and to engage in a dialogue with them.

Danner said that the old recreation board needs to be reconstituted and that each municipality needs to have a member of a working board. He said by doing so, each city will have a presence in the discussion of how the money is going to be used.

In other business:
• Council passed the proposed 2013-14 budget, which includes the creation of a performance-based merit increase for employees. 

• Judy O. Jones was reappointed to a 4-year term representing District 2 by a 7-0 vote

• Morris Burton was reappointed to a 4-year term representing District 3 by a 7-0 vote

• Brian Martin was reappointed to a 4-year term representing District 6 by a 7-0 vote