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2026-10-12 - City Council Work Session

Summary

Built from the draft minutes copied into the October 26 agenda packet; the City's own posted minutes for this date were not in the portal listing and could not be opened. Approval of these minutes is not verified.

  • Homeless Court: the Public Defender's Office presented a voluntary diversionary court for City court charges carrying 30 days or less. It needs an order from the SC Supreme Court; about $30,000 of carry-forward funds; a resolution is to come at one of the next two meetings; Council consensus in support; an Access to Justice presentation is set for December 3. (Homeless Court Resolution)
  • Hospitality tax rose from 1% to 2% on October 1: about $1.8M expected this fiscal year of about $2.4M annual. About $830K a year goes to the 10-year parking deck note and about $969K to other uses (Christmas tree about $45K, Citizens Park LED lighting about $620K over about three years, entryway and Whiskey Road landscaping with a possible 50/50 share with the golf course). (Hospitality Tax Increase)
  • Economic Incentive Ordinance (August 2018): the City Manager recommended repealing it and developing targeted, case-by-case incentives for the north side and downtown; City Attorney Gary Smith advised objective standards. Past rebates cited ranged from $10K-$20K, with one near $500K. (Economic Incentive Ordinance)
  • Work session ran 5:00 to 6:22 PM per the draft minutes.

Sources