Cribb: Growth creates 'new normal', challenges for county

Cribb

For the last few years, Berkeley County has witnessed a surge in its residential rooftops, industry investments and traffic counts. But while the past once called for growth in any and every corner of the county—to boost economic development after a national downturn—county officials are now welcoming the population and business boom with a more strategic game plan.

“Five or 10 or 20 years from now, we’re not just going to randomly end up in a certain place,” said County Supervisor Johnny Cribb. “(Growth has) got to be planned, and it’s got to be a guided effort, and it’s got to be a lot of partnerships and a lot of really good communication.”

More than two months into his new leadership role, Cribb provided an update on county projects and future needs required to support ongoing growth, Cribb spoke March 8 at a Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Daniel Island Golf Club.

According to county officials, at least 220,000 residents now call Berkeley County—the largest county in South Carolina by size—home, with projections showing that number rising to 253,000 by 2025 and 308,000 by 2035. At least 20, of the roughly “30-something” people moving to the Charleston Metro region daily, are coming to Berkeley.

“And that doesn’t include childbirth,” Cribb said.

He fired off figures to illustrate to the crowd why the county—of 3,007 total across the U.S.—is now the 17th fastest-growing one among the top one percent in the nation. But while county officials are happy to boast about new workforce members, job opportunities and influxes in tax revenue, they are simultaneously working to iron out the many challenges that result from such growth.

“Anybody that tries to tell you that’s all great…or tells you that’s all bad, they don’t really understand growth,” Cribb said. “That means…near a brand new school every year, so we’re communicating with (Berkeley County School District) now; and we need to amp that up 10-fold.

As for homes, the county is currently set to gain between 30,000 and 40,000 more—Cainhoy Plantation alone, at 9,000 acres, larger in size than the City of Hanahan, according to Cribb, who for years worked as the city’s administrator.

“You hardly ever build that many homes,” he said. “It’s a lot of kids coming into our schools, and a lot of cars coming onto our roads—so that’s a big challenge.”

But even with the unprecedented number of residential units popping up, their property tax revenue alone won’t be enough to cover the cost of public safety and other services the county provides.

“We can’t pay for services with rooftops,” Cribb said. “It takes a really expensive house for us to get to the breaking point.”

He explained how, luckily, depending on a company’s size, one investment alone can generate more taxes than 400 houses.

“A $20M investment brings about $105,000 to the county and about $225,000 to Berkeley County School District,” Cribb said. “That’s a lot of funds from one company.”

That’s why county officials explained the need for continued economic investments from industries like Volvo, W. International and Google, a $600 million “homerun” investment, according to Cribb.

“These companies that come in help keep our taxes low—make no mistake about it,” he said. “That means sheriff’s deputies, that means better EMS that can get to you.”

Last year, Google was part of a Berkeley County’s more than $1 billion in capital investments. The amount also accounted for nearly 30 percent of the state’s total 2018 investments.

“We call it the ‘new normal’ in Berkeley County,” Cribb said. “It’s like if you’re playing poker…you got a good hand to play. …So when these companies come in, we’re very strategic at where they might go, what incentives they might need. …(Fee-in-lieu-of agreements) aren’t handed out just like candy; you’ve got to bring something to the table.”

County leaders are also meeting with companies much earlier in the process, involving County Council members sooner, and utilizing certain training funds from companies to conduct workforce training programs for local students and adults. New manufacturing training is now available during school hours, for students at Cross and Timberland high schools, as well as after school hours for other community members—including people who’ve been here for generations who “could really move up,” Cribb said.

“A lot of pushback I heard in six months of campaigning was, ‘We have people here—forget unemployed—you know we have people underemployed,’” Cribb said. “We want to know that they’re getting the jobs, too, so that’s a conversation that we’re having every single day.”

But the county isn’t focused on new industry only; existing businesses are also on the radar—so much so that Cribb said he’s planning to add a new economic development position committing solely to assisting existing industries.

“How are we serving you after you’re here?” Cribb said of current companies.

The county is also putting pressure on Columbia—though not its prime funding source—to help cover the cost of growth-related projects. But in the meantime, staff is seeking other ways to pay for resources.

“Our question to our friends at the state is, ‘Are we getting those kinds of funds sent to us for roads and infrastructure?’” Cribb said. “We need help. …But we’re not just sitting back waiting on help.”

That includes planning for another one-cent sales tax referendum in 2022 to fund more county road projects in the future, but that doesn’t mean the county will overlook its current list.

“We’re going to complete every single one of these last projects,” Cribb said.

First approved by voters in 2008, the penny sales tax was extended another seven years in 2014. Later this month the county is planning to update the chamber on the special tax. A meeting is set for 9 a.m. March 29 at Wingate by Wyndham in North Charleston.

Further into his address, Cribb talked excitedly about the upcoming reopening of Cypress Gardens and also revealed the county’s need for additional public park properties. The Moncks Corner tourist attraction, closed since fall 2015 for flood damage, is set to open again on April 13.

“We’ve got the best playground that’ll exist in Berkeley County,” Cribb said.

Cribb also promised constituents that he and staff will remain dedicated to fiscal responsibility as they enter a new budget season. He expressed slight confusion over the county’s loss last year of at least $2 million, in the face of a request for 125 new positions.

“That’s just something that I’m not used to,” Cribb said.

But the county’s top leader provided hope.

“We’ll dig out of it; we’ll put the county in a great financial position,” Cribb said.

In addition to his plans to asks for more ambulatory services this coming budget year, Cribb said the county is looking at rural fire funding. Without a countywide fire department, residents look to more than two dozen rural departments—operating primarily on volunteer personnel—dotting the county to provide fire protection. While last year the council approved a boost in fire funding, increasing the rural fire fee revenue by at least $3 million, more funding is a future possibility.

“I don’t know that we’re done yet, but that’s a heck of a start,” Cribb said.

While the county has $20 million left in its fund balance, Cribb said the money would be spent “as good as we can” on pertinent projects impacted by growth. Surprised by the county’s lack of a capital improvement plan, Cribb said devising one is now one of his staff’s top goals and will better prioritize county needs and spending. But bonds won’t be the only way to fund vital projects.

“Everything we do can’t be borrowing,” Cribb said. “We got to save money to put ourselves in the best position to pay for these items.”

Overall, Cribb said he and staff are committed to making decisions and tackling initiatives they think will make the community “really proud of Berkeley County” and allow everyone to “look back and just be happy with where we’re at.”