County Council members voted 5-2 Thursday to extend the current level of services past a June 30 cutoff date until they can set a policy on how James Island and other municipalities will be charged for county services.
Planning, building inspections and public works services are among those used by the town, which has more than 20,000 residents.
Council members disagreed on how to proceed -- whether to charge a town as large as James Island more for the same services rendered to a smaller municipality at a lower cost, or to impose a standard rate.
Councilman Fran Roberts said it would be discriminatory to charge smaller municipalities, such as the town of Meggett, less than James Island when the same services are utilized.
"I don't think it's discrimination," said Councilman Leon Stavrinakis, adding that a town of the size of James Island should provide its own services or pay the amount set by the county for services rendered.
"They do pay for it -- county taxes," said Councilman A.D. Jordan.
County officials assert that there's an annual revenue loss of $300,000 due to the town's May 2002 incorporation, which constitutes the reimbursement for services. The council twice has extended its services to the town in 90-day increments.
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