Cities and towns are focused on creating places and delivering services that support a healthy local economy and offer a positive quality of life.
The 2013 legislative priorities identify three major challenges cities and towns of all sizes face and offer immediate legislative solutions to meet these challenges.
Dilapidated structuresChallenge
Dilapidated structures are unsafe and create a dangerous environment often thwarting economic development opportunities for surrounding areas. These properties also diminish surrounding property values and create a financial and economic drain on community resources.
Solution
Support legislation that gives SC cities and towns more flexibility in rehabilitating or removing dilapidated structures. Give cities and towns an option that invites partnerships with the private sector and nonprofits to remedy these problems.
Challenge
Residents and business owners in cities and towns expect services and infrastructure that support a healthy local economy, provide safe neighborhoods and business districts, and offer a positive quality of life. To meet these expectations, local leaders need dependable revenue sources to invest in police and fire protection, utility infrastructure, downtown and neighborhood revitalization, public spaces and recreation.
Solution
Ensure all revenue collected by the state on behalf of local governments is returned to cities and towns through the statutorily funded Local Government Fund. Cities and towns depend on the Local Government Fund as a stable revenue source to provide services, infrastructure, and programs that residents and business owners demand.
Challenge
Residents and business owners expect cities and towns to provide transportation systems that meet the demands of the community and ensure roads are safe and well maintained.
Solution
Bring together local and state leaders and experts to develop long-term and stable funding sources for roads, bridges and infrastructure maintenance, improvements and expansion.