With nearly 20,000 James Island residents gearing up to vote on forming a new town, Charleston Mayor Joe Riley renewed his pledge to challenge the potential town in court and predicted such a town would be a financial burden on its residents.

"We're standing up for future generations and against futility and very bad public policy," Riley said. "If (forming a town) proves to be a fiscal disaster, which it will, the citizens who live there will have to pay the bills."

Two prior incorporations of a town were thrown out after constitutional challenges by the city.

On Wednesday, a state committee approved incorporation papers filed by those who still hope to form a town.

The plans don't call for raising taxes and count on the Charleston County sheriff to provide continued police protection at no extra cost.

Riley said the idea that a town of nearly 20,000 people could be run with three employees and a $1 million budget is absurd. He said it would be unfair for a new town to share in the county's local-option sales tax money yet rely on the county for policing.

Some James Island residents are within Charleston city limits, but more than half live in unincorporated Charleston County, where they rely on the James Island Public Service District and the sheriff for services.

Former James Island Mayor Mary Clark and former Councilman Joe Qualey said earlier this week they are confident residents will vote to form a town. Clark and other town supporters have dismissed Riley's warnings of financial ruin as unfounded scare tactics.