CITY GRANTS COMMITTEE
During the regular Darlington City Council meeting on July 12, 2022, Council established a Grants Committee to make recommendations on how to spend a portion of City funds to include Community Promotions and Hospitality Tax Revenue. Organizations receiving Hospitality Tax Revenue funds are required to use those dollars in accordance with SC Code § 6-1-730 (2012). Each year, Darlington City Council will decide how much money is available for the use through this grants program.
Hospitality Tax Grants are provided though revenue received by the City for its share of the 2% tax levied on prepared meals and beverages. These monies can only be used for activities related to tourism, including advertising and promotion of tourism; promotion of the arts and cultural events; support for facilities where civic and cultural activities take place; additional health, safety and public services for tourists; transportation shuttles; visitor information centers; and waterfront erosion control and repair. The Grants Committee reviews applications for funding and makes recommendations to City Council for the award of these funds.
All applications must be received by 5:00 PM on March 20, 2023. Late applications will not be considered.
One original plus seven (7) copies of the application should be mailed to:
City of Darlington, Attn: Hospitality Grants Committee, P.O. Box 57, Darlington, SC 29540
OR hand delivered to 400 Pearl Street, Darlington, SC 29532.
Complete all questions using 11 pt font or larger. Should you need more space, please attach additional sheets.
Nonprofit organizations must include a copy of their confirmation letter of registration with their grant application. For additional information see South Carolina’s Secretary of State’s Official website http://www.scsos.com/ or call 803-734-1790.
Questions? John Payne, City Manager, (843) 398-4000 x 108 or jpayne@cityofdarlington.com.
Applicants must be present at the Grants Committee meeting on March 29, 2023 @ 5 PM in City Council chambers.
On August 2, 2022, Darlington City Council nominated the following individuals to serve on the initial Grants Committee:
- Mr. Rujon Williams, nominated by Mayor Boyd
- Mr. Mike Sprott, nominated by Mayor Pro Tem Mr. Segars
- Ms. Gloria Hines, nominated by Ms. Baccus
- Dr. Andy Cohen, nominated by Mr. Gardner
- Ms. Florie Cavanaugh, nominated by Mr. Nettles
- Mr. Dean Sigmon, nominated by Mr. Milling
- Mr. James Cooper, III, nominated by Ms. Reed
Meetings of the Grants Committee will be open to the public, and all decisions made by the Committee will be recommendations that Darlington City Council may accept or reject, in whole or part.
Resolution
Section 1. The City Council hereby establishes a Grants Committee charged with reviewing grant applications for funding from Hospitality Tax funds and other City monies, and make recommendations to City Council.
Section 2. The Committee will be composed of seven members with each Councilmember and the Mayor having one appointment.
Section 3. The appointees will be residents of the City of Darlington and serve staggered terms so that all members do not rotate off at the same time. The Mayor’s appointee will serve three years and the remaining appointees will serve two years. At no time shall an appointee serve more than two consecutive terms without rotating off for at least one term.
Section 4. In the case of an appointee’s resignation, the Councilmember who made the initial appointment will as soon as possible make their replacement to serve for the unexpired term.
Section 5. The Grants Committee may adopt additional rules, policies and procedures to assist the body in its function, provided such additional rules do not conflict with this Resolution, state or federal law, or any Ordinance of the City.
Section 6. This body shall be subject to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act pursuant to § 30-4-100, et. seq., SC Code of Laws, which requires business be discussed in public including discussion of agenda items and voting. Executive or closed sessions shall only be permitted in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
(For full Resolution text, click here.)