Most residents of unincorporated Charleston County who live on James Island will have a chance to go to the polls Tuesday and decide whether to form the fourth-largest municipality in the county.

The municipality would comprise parts of James Island outside Charleston's city limits, generally those served by the James Island Public Service District.

A town has been formed twice before on James Island, only to have the incorporations struck down by the state's highest court, and passions are high on both sides of the issue. A 2005 state law cleared the way for the new incorporation attempt.

Those who hope to form a town say they want more local control of the fate of James Island, a share of the state funding given to municipalities and a way to block the expansion of Charleston's city limits on the island.

"No taxation without representation" is an oft-heard slogan among the would-be incorporators, who are governed by County Council. They think the city of Charleston wants to annex all of James Island. It's the city's stated policy to annex properties whose owners request annexation.

Opponents say the potential town, which would have nearly 20,000 residents, would be on shaky financial ground. The town's plan to avoid new taxes by relying on Charleston County for services is unsound, they say.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley has pledged to file a new court challenge if a town is formed. Riley and a recently formed group opposed to incorporation, the No New Town Task Force, have been urging James Islanders to vote "no."

Last week, Charleston County Councilman Ed Fava weighed in on the issue, saying that it's "wrong-minded" to think the county would continue to provide services to the proposed town at no cost. He said formation of the town would cost the county up to $1 million from state shared revenues, local option sales tax revenues, business license fees, cable franchise fees and storm management fees.

The last incorporation of the town of James Island was reversed by the South Carolina Supreme Court in the fall of 2004, and the town closed its doors in January. A new incorporation effort quickly started, and this past October an incorporation petition of more than 500 pages was submitted to the state, with detailed plans and the signatures of an estimated 30 percent of the proposed town's registered voters.

The petition and feasibility study said most of the proposed town's services would continue to be provided by either Charleston County, whose sheriff's deputies currently patrol the island's unincorporated area, or the James Island Public Service District, which provides fire, sewer and other services.

The town would control its own planning and zoning, and residents would continue to pay property taxes to Charleston County and the James Island Public Service District.

The main question on the ballot Tuesday is whether the voter favors or opposes incorporation. Those who vote in favor will be asked to vote on the name of the new municipality, the method of electing officials and the length of terms of office for the mayor and council members.

A subsequent election would be held to choose the town's leaders.

Where to vote

Polling will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at four James Island Public Service District fire stations:

--1833 Folly Road

--853 Harbor View Road

--1622 Camp Road

--78 Plymouth Ave.

Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com.