Below is a letter written to all Pickens County Councilmen from
one of our Conservative of the Upstate Members:
Dear Councilman __________,
I took a look at the 2021 tax bills (online) for some various properties last night
and noticed some very high fire fees (as much as $230 on residential properties).
As I recall, last year when the new "plan" was discussed, fees of $90 to $156
(depending on square footage) were claimed as follows:
$90 (under 1000 sq')
$112 (1000-1999 sq')
$134 (2000-2999 sq')
$156 (3000+ sq')
It seems the actual fees being charged are much different:
0-1249' $90
1250-1499' $110
1500-1749' $130
1750-1999' $150
2000-2249' $170
2250-2499' $190
2500-2999' $210
3000+ $230
This seems quite unreasonable and contrary to what was supposedly planned.
WHAT HAPPENED? When were these fees further discussed? Was it at a public
meeting or behind closed doors? Why were the potential fees beyond $156
not mentioned to the public in the County's extensive campaign to educate
(and push) the new fire fee plan last year?
The figure of $105 for everyone, as a flat fee, was used as the amount it would take
to meet the funding needs of the fire districts. I spoke to you last year, during a
council meeting, after a public poll was conducted where the results favored a flat
fee over a square footage based fee by a ratio of 2 to 1. Instead of listening to the
public preference, it seems we now have 8 different fees, half of which are higher
than the claimed maximum of $156.
Please provide answers to the questions above as the public deserves an
explanation as to what happened to the more reasonable fees mentioned when the
county was pushing the "new plan.”
Is this another example of not being transparent and honest
with the taxpayers from out present County Council? Stay
tuned, maybe, if we are lucky one of the councilmen will
respond to his email. But don't hold your breath.
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