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Our family have lived in Aiken County since 1952, and except for 5 years at another site, have enjoyed our residency over the 48 year period. We have become increasing concerned over this time with the rapid unregulated growth in the county, where it appears that development is being overemphasized at the expense of quality of life for the current residents.
In particular, I read that the Council is considering funding $36.3 million to a private developer for construction of 5,000 homes on 2,400 acres in Sage Creek and Trolley Run Station communities, as well as associated commercial development. This is a misuse of the intent of tax incremental financing, and should be rejected. The basic idea of TIF is to improve blighted areas in the community, not to finance already well financed developers. Many studies have shown that the costs of infrastructure such as water, electricity, sewer systems, roads, bridges, storm drainage, fire and police protection, library, school and recreational facilities are seldom paid for by the future tax base. It is simply unreasonable to ask county taxpayers to provide any financing for this private scheme. If the developers wish to proceed, have them pay all the infrastructure impact costs. It is significant to note that the "TIF Act for Counties" was vetoed by Governor Mark Sanford, but was overridden by the developer influenced legislature. I urge the County Council members to reject any sort of public financing for the benefit of a private developer.
Richard Baxter |
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