Slicing the James Island Pie

Published on 04/14/05

Compiled by The Post and Courier

SLICING THE JAMES ISLAND PIE

When the town of James Island was ordered dissolved by the state Supreme Court last year, it set in motion plans to collect about $3.25 million of the town's money and split it among other municipalities.

A plan to divide that money will be put forward for court approval next week, said Harold Bisbee, Charleston County chief financial officer. That could be the last step in a process that will lead to windfalls for the county, cities of Charleston and North Charleston and town of Mount Pleasant.

Together they would get most of the local option sales tax money, state revenue-sharing funds and other money that the town of James Island collected but did not spend while waiting to see if the courts would allow the incorporation.

The money is being divided using the same formula that was approved the first time the town was dissolved, so Bisbee is hopeful of approval.

Here's are the expected payouts:

-- Charleston, $590,000.

-- Charleston County, $550,000.

-- North Charleston, $482,000.

-- All South Carolina municipalities outside Charleston County, $470,000.

-- Mount Pleasant, $299,000.

The remaining Charleston County municipalities would get much smaller shares, with the next highest amounts being $29,000 for Isle of Palms, $23,000 for Hollywood and $12,000 for Folly Beach.