The minutes of the regular meeting of the Ways and Means Committee of the Town of James Island held Tuesday, November 4, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at 1246 Camp Road.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Mary Clark with Councilmen Parris Williams and Bill Woolsey present; Councilman Bill Wilder arrived late.  Also attending the meeting were Town Attorney Mike Socha and Clerk-Treasurer Marie Copeland.

The minutes of the October 21, 2003 meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Councilman Woolsey, which was seconded by Councilman Williams.

There was no OLD BUSINESS to come before the Committee at this meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Councilman Woolsey submitted Resolution 2003-18 that reduces the Town’s projected revenue for the fiscal year 2003-2004 by $2,498.00 due to the reclassifications in the newly revised Business License Ordinance.  The resolution was seconded by Councilman Williams.  In the discussion, Councilman Woolsey stated he did not want to increase taxes on the citizens of James Island, and, in order to do that, the business license rates must remain the same resulting in the Town, in all likelihood, receiving $2,498.00 less than it has this fiscal year.  He went on to say that he did not think $2,498.00 was a significant figure for the Town.  Mike Socha remarked that this was an estimate only, and the Mayor added that the Town is drawing new businesses which may make up the shortfall.  The vote for the resolution was unanimous to support the resolution.

Marie Copeland has requested to have training on the Logics software here at the Town Hall; she commented to the Mayor that the Town would be responsible for paying the mileage, lodging and meals for the trainer.  The Mayor feels that the Town should not be responsible for any of these expenses, i.e. that they should be included in the cost of training that was paid at the time of purchase; she thinks that the company should look at this as a cost of doing business.  The Clerk-Treasurer noted that a client paying for all travel related expenses is normal procedure in this industry; she stated that, if she were to go to Raleigh for the training, the Town would be responsible for her expenses – it was six of one and half a dozen of the other.  She also explained that she wanted the training to take place here in order to use the Town’s data and to be able to show the trainer exactly what kinds of problems she is running into; she said that phone conversations and e-mails were not being productive.  Councilman Williams then inquired as to the cost of the training; Ms. Copeland replied that it would depend on the hotel that is chosen as well as where the person eats, but she assured the Committee that this person would not be staying at the most expensive hotel downtown or eating at the most expensive restaurant.  Councilman Woolsey then asked Ms. Copeland to place a call to Logics and to find out what their travel policy is.  Councilman Woolsey decided that the training should take place as planned, and, if the fee is exorbitant, then it will be a lesson learned.

The Treasurer’s monthly report will be given at the meeting of the Town Council.

As there was not further business to come before the Ways and Means Committee, the meeting was duly adjourned at 6:50 p.m.