Weeks of debate over the city's budget and tax rate appeared to come to an end Tuesday when the City Council adopted a 59.3 millage rate, tossing aside Mayor Bill Rauch's proposal to lower taxes by 5 mills in an effort to attract Burton-area residents into annexing into the city.
But Wednesday, council members gathered at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park to discuss park renovations considered Councilman Gary Fordham's off-agenda motion to lower the tax rate by 5 mills.
A 5-mill reduction would save the owner of a $200,000 home about $50 in property taxes this year.
After arguing the legality of the motion during the park meeting the council tabled discussion of Fordham's motion until Tuesday.
But any change to the city's tax rate next week could exceed the deadline set by the Beaufort County Auditor's Office requiring municipalities to submit their millage rates to the county by a specific date set by auditor Sharon Burris. The Auditor's Office is responsible for producing and distributing county tax bills.
Burris' deadline for the municipalities passed Thursday, said Beaufort County Controller Tom Henrikson.
All tax districts in Beaufort County have reported their millage rate, with the possible exception of the city of Beaufort, he said.
In some cases, Henrikson said, a phone call may be needed to report the millage, and in others simple proof that the ordinance passed is acceptable.
"My understanding is that the city of Beaufort passed an ordinance of 59.3 mills", he said, but added, "I don't know what the auditor's position is with the receipt of that."
Burris couldn't be reached for comment Thursday.
Rauch wasn't sure about the September millage deadline and instead thinks the City Council has a few days to spare.
"My impression is (Burris) wants it on Tuesday," he said.
Rauch said City Attorney Bill Harvey contacted legal counsel with the Municipal Association of South Carolina on Wednesday night and determined the millage ordinance could legally be reconsidered and approved at Tuesday's meeting.
"Talk to Gary (Fordham), I did my proposal in a timely fashion and it was shot down," Rauch said of the last-minute nature of the new tax proposal.
Henrikson said Burris has received an extension from the state to send out tax bills, which usually go out mid-October, but doesn't know how that extension will affect the city's plans.
Councilman Billy Keyserling, who is running against Rauch in the mayoral election, called next week's budget discussions "election puff."
"You just don't make budget changes huddling three people in waterfront park without notice," he said.
Councilwoman Donnie Beer voiced the same sentiment, saying, "No one was notified that this would be on the agenda so no one could speak to it."
Rauch countered that, "Everyone expresses an opinion, I try to save taxpayers money."