EUTAWVILLE, S.C. — In an effort to increase town revenue, officials in Eutawville are encouraging nearby property owners to annex their land into town limits.
“If we can bring more revenue to the town, we can hire more police,” said James Nutt, a member of the Eutawville Town Council.
The town, which is home to fewer than 250 people, is encouraging those living on the outskirts to annex their properties. Nutt explained that as neighboring towns grow, Eutawville also hopes to expand.
“We’re trying to grow and diversify,” Nutt said. “You know, everything else is growing around us. You drive down 176, you see ... it’s making its way, and then you ride by Holly Hill. Holly Hill is in a little explosion right now, Santee’s blooming, and things are moving out here in the country.”
By annexing, residents would be able to vote in municipal elections, lower their water rates, and have the town's police department respond to emergencies.
Clara Morton, a lifelong resident of Eutawville, expressed her support for growth.
“Because we need more growth around here, we need more things in the town,” Morton said. “We are a small town that doesn’t have much, so I feel like the growth and even the response time to medical situations coming quicker, that would be the best thing to ever happen to us.”
However, one resident living outside the town limits who requested anonymity, told News 19 she is not interested in annexing her home.
“The cons, yeah, they outweigh the pros because we don’t want to change where we’re at,” the resident said. “We don’t want to change when something comes up because, being in the town limits, we’d have to abide by the town limits' wants. You know, we are satisfied by the way we work and live.”
Town Clerk Casey Hill confirmed that several properties have already been annexed this year. Currently, four property owners are waiting for their land to be incorporated into the town.
Additionally, Eutawville recently passed a resolution to take ownership of St. James-Gaillard Elementary School, which is located outside town limits. The school is set to be annexed next year after students are moved to a new consolidated elementary school in Holly Hill.
Eutawville plans to convert the school into a new town hall, town offices, a senior center, and more.
The town also aims to use the additional revenue from property taxes to upgrade the water system and improve the park.