Hello REALTORS®,
Like all the local governments in the Upstate, Oconee County’s local governments have been wrestling with balancing their budgets. That has kept elected officials busy and created some political drama (as if there isn’t enough of that already). This week, I am providing a review of what has been happening in Oconee County government and its three major cities.
In terms of development and real estate-related regulations, there are some interesting trends in Oconee County. The three that I think are most interesting are that a lot of proposals get floated, but many stall. That’s a good thing. There are lots of ideas about how to manage growth and development, but most of them aren’t good ideas.
Westminster has bucked that trend and adopted several new ordinances. The one that has been proposed, but rejected by city council, was Westminster Planning Commission’s proposal overhaul of the city’s zoning ordinance—even though city council asked them to work on the project.
And there is sewer. The regional sewer authority finally resolved a consent order with the SC Department of Environmental Services (DES) over stormwater infiltration into sewer lines. That has allowed ty, Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority, along with the county, Westminster, and Seneca to work on a plan to bring sewer to exits 1, 2, and 4.
The county approved a $25 million general obligation bond to pay for the sewer expansion, which was challenged in court. The appellants said using taxpayer money from everyone to benefit a few is not legal. That lawsuit was rejected by the court because they said that sewer is a public benefit for everyone, not just the area served by sewer. More on sewer later.
Fire Service
Perhaps the most impactful of Oconee County’s budget-related moves this year is that the county did not renew its fire service agreement with Walhalla, which had managed the county’s fire services northwest of the city for more than a decade. Instead, the county is incorporating the area into the their existing county fire service area.
Walhalla
The county’s decision on fire is a $550,000 hit to the city’s annual $10 million budget.
Walhalla has been plagued by political drama for some time. Earlier this year, two members of city council resigned, triggering a special election in April, just in time for budget season. And one councilmember, Grant Keehn, floated a merger with West Union, which was quickly rejected. Plus, like in Anderson and Easley, annexation has generated controversy. However, the controversy is related to the city’s policy of requiring annexation to connect to the city’s sewer and water utilities. Again, more on sewer in a moment.
Seneca
Sometimes, the new ordinances are positive for Realtors. Seneca enacted an ordinance to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) in the city. An ADU is a second, smaller dwelling, on the same property. They are often finished basements, a room over the garage, a tiny home, or a converted pool house. Some ordinances call them cottages.
Seneca’s ordinance allows ADUs by right, with certain conditions. You can read the ordinance by clicking here.
Sewer
Public sewer is one of the most important, if not most important, infrastructure elements to help facilitate new development. Without public sewer, residential development is low density and commercial and industrial development options are limited.
But public sewer is complex, and very expensive. That’s why the sewer impact fees I wrote about last week are so high. Most Realtors will be surprised to know that very few areas have sewer. Even in Greenville County, the most populous in the state, half of all homes are not connected to sewer.
In Anderson County, sewer service is provided by the City of Anderson, ReWa (the primary utility in Greenville County), and Pendleton. Nearly all sewer provided by the county and its cities are through contracts with those three entities.
Sewer expansion has normally been a low-key affair—until lately. The expansion of sewer by Oconee County to exits 1, 2, and 4 has been controversial. And opponents to development have keyed in on public sewer as they have come to understand that sewer is needed for higher-density development, which many residents oppose.
But expanding sewer will continue to be a challenge for local governments because of its cost—especially now that most local governments are having trouble balancing their budgets without a tax increase. More on budgets in a future Watchdog Report.
Support RPAC
You and your association can influence how your government affects you and regulates your industry.
Elections are an important way that your association represents you and helps make a strong market for real estate. Elections are also an important way that you participate in your government. Your association’s objective is to help elect candidates who share the Realtor position that a vibrant and healthy real estate market is vital to a vibrant and healthy economy. Of course, you must balance your personal and business interests when you vote.
More than 90% of Realtors in the Western Upstate are registered to vote, which is amazing. But just 32% supported RPAC in 2024.
You can help your industry by supporting RPAC. It’s easy. Your association includes a voluntary contribution to RPAC on your annual dues invoice. Pay it, and you are an RPAC supporter. If you haven’t supported RPAC this year, I encourage you to do so by clicking here.
Michael Dey, Director of Government Affairs