Ophthalmologist near Sullivans Island, SC

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A yearslong dispute between Sullivan’s Island and the Charleston Water System could leave thousands of residents without water starting in July if over $600,000 in debt is not paid.

As of Sept. 28, 2021, Charleston Water System claims Sullivan’s Island owes them $197,468 in billed, but unpaid, volumetric charges and $442,478 in billed but unpaid capital charges.

Charleston Water says the town changed how much they paid per 1,000 gallons in 2017, even after paying the same amount since the contract began in 1994.

They say that the paid charge went from $1.22 per 1,000 gallons to 88 cents per 1,000 gallons.

Charleston Water wrote in a January 2019 letter that “after more than 20 years, the town of Sullivan’s Island does not believe the contract requires them to pay any portion of Charleston Water’s capital expenses, a belief which has no support whatsoever of our board of commissioners or legal counsel.”

After getting a rate consultant, Charleston Water offered Sullivan’s to pay 89 cents per 1000 gallons. According to numerous letters, the island refused.

An opinion from the state Attorney General in 2019, states Sullivan’s Island does not have the authority to interpret contracts, but believes both of these parties must finish their initial term of 30 years and then they are able to terminate it if everyone is notified.

Sullivan’s Island says they disagree with this opinion and there are four unresolved topics between the two: capital charges, fire hydrants, the municipal wholesale rate as an excess demand charge and the rate formula.

Charleston Water says Sullivan’s Island has two choices: to pay all outstanding balances and they can continue to purchase water at the then-published municipal whole rate or find an alternate water source starting July 20 of this year.

In a 2021 resolution from Charleston Water, they say they discovered through this lack of payment that 18 fire hydrants were not being paid for on the island. If they’re not paid, all will be removed except for those used for water main flushing.

Starting this month, they will send out delinquent notices to DHEC, the State Fire Marshal, Sullivan’s Island residents and other state agencies on a monthly basis that the water will be shut off starting July 20 – when the 30-year contract is up – if this procedures are not followed.

In response to these letters, Andy Benke, the town administrator for Sullivan’s Island, provided this statement:

It’s disappointing that the leadership at Charleston Water System has apparently decided to ignore the confidentiality agreement put in place during the mediation of our long-standing dispute.

Years ago, CWS decided to raise our rates as if our signed contract with them did not exist.

As CWS knows, we’ve simply been continuing to pay the undisputed amount set in our long-standing, signed agreement.

We hope everyone will understand we’re standing firm on the principle that signed contracts are signed contracts. It’s the right thing to do for our citizens.

We will continue our good faith efforts to reach an appropriate agreement through mediation, or if need be, in the court.

Charleston Water claims Sullivan’s Island revised its interpretation of the 1994 agreement in 2016 and part of the dispute is whether the island should have to pay any portion of CWS’s capital expenses.

Charleston Water System says they can’t make any further comment because it’s still in legal mediation.

You can read more about the dispute below, or click here.

Attachment to 06-21-23 Contract Dispute by Live 5 News on Scribd

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) — The town of Sullivan’s Island could have its water supply cut off this summer, amid a dispute with the Charleston Water System.

According to a letter sent to the town from Charleston Water System (CWS) in October 2023, when Sullivan’s Island purchased 750,000 gallons per day of capacity from the Charleston Water System in 1994, it was a 30-year term which expires on July 19, 2024.

The water system tells Sullivan’s Island leaders that if there is not a new contract by then, service will be disconnected for the town’s 2,000 residents on July 20.

In addition, in the letter, the water system said the town has been paying $0.88 per thousand gallons of water since 2017, and calls that rate “arbitrary and unsupported by facts.”

Charleston Water System says the rate in 2017 was $0.96, and each year, there is a new projected rate for the town. For example, the rate last year was $1.53 per thousand gallons. At the end of the year, an adjusted rate was given which amounted to $1.11.

CWS also said in the letter to Sullivan’s Island that they are willing to provide water service to the town as long as it pays all outstanding amounts owed to the water system. As of February, that amount totaled $1.08 million.

In previous letters responding to Charleston Water System, Sullivan’s Island Mayor, Patrick O’Neil, said they have been paying the correct rate and that a memorandum of understanding on a rate formula was never approved.

“SI (Sullivan’s Island) has been paying the undisputed portion of the volumetric rate since 2017. SI does not owe capital charges unless SI purchases additional capacity which SI has not done.” a letter dated June 30 to CWS reads.

Sullivan’s Island leaders claim that the contract with the water system is clear that capital charges should not be charged on top of the initial capacity the town purchased in 1994. The town also adds that “because SI has not given written notice to CWS not to renew the contract, the contract will be automatically renewed for 15 years or until July 19, 2039, as set forth in the contract.”

In its October letter responding to the town, CWS CEO, Mark Cline, said CWS cannot agree to a rate formula that does not include capital charges or a perpetual term.

As of now, Sullivan’s Island and Charleston Water System are in legal remediation for the issue.

On Friday, Sullivan’s Island leaders released a statement to News 2:

“It’s disappointing that the leadership at Charleston Water System has apparently decided to ignore the confidentiality agreement put in place during the mediation of our long-standing dispute.

Years ago, CWS decided to raise our rates as if our signed contract with them did not exist.

As CWS knows, we’ve simply been continuing to pay the undisputed amount set in our long-standing, signed agreement.

We hope everyone will understand we’re standing firm on the principle that signed contracts are signed contracts. It’s the right thing to do for our citizens.

We will continue our good faith efforts to reach an appropriate agreement through mediation, or if need be, in the court.”

– Sullivan’s Island town leaders

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - Leaders say the search is over in the hunt for a new town administrator for Sullivan’s Island after months of recruitment efforts.

Current Town Administrator Andy Benke says Joseph R. “Joe” Henderson will be the newest town administrator come June.

Benke first announced plans to retire in Oct. of last year after over two decades of service as town administrator for Sullivan’s Island. His announcement kicked off what officials called an extensive search for a replacement, which they say involved the vetting of 28 candidates.

The Town Council unanimously approved Henderson’s appointment to the position.

Henderson served as the director of planning and zoning for Sullivan’s Island from 2013 until 2022, when he was promoted to be the town’s deputy administrator.

Aside from experience, Henderson qualifies for the job with a number of degrees obtained from a series of South Carolina colleges and universities. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Coastal Carolina University, a Graduate Certification in urban planning from the College of Charleston and a Master of public administration from Clemson University.

He also has professional certifications include floodplain management, arboriculture and zone inspection. Before moving to Sullivan’s Island, Henderson working as the zoning administrator and the interim planning director for the city of Conway.

Sullivan’s Island Mayor Patrick O’Neil expressed gratitude for Benke’s 21 years of service before expressing his faith in Henderson.

“We were privileged to have Andy Benke serve as the Administrator since 2003 and wish him well in retirement. His efforts helped keep Sullivan’s Island a desired place to live and visit,” O’Neil said. “As Andy’s Deputy Administrator, Joe Henderson is well suited to succeed him. I am confident that the great work we have started over the past years will continue with Joe.”

Henderson himself expressed his gratefulness to the Town for picking him for the position.

“It’s an honor to continue to serve the community in the role of Town Administrator. We have exciting opportunities and challenges facing the Town in the coming years,” Henderson said. “I’m very fortunate to be supported by the Town Council and the employees who provide the public with exemplary service on all levels.”

Officials say Benke will continue to serve as town administrator until June 18 in order to guarantee a smooth transition.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD)- When you think of elementary-aged kids having a play date, it doesn’t normally include working to protect the environment.

For a third grader on Sullivan’s Island, Keegan Novak, it does.

“We have a symbiotic relationship with trees. What they breathe out we breathe in, what they breathe in we breathe out,” Keegan said.

Novak loves all things nature, especially palmetto trees.

“And they’re the state tree of South Carolina, they’re in our history,” Keegan said.

So when Keegan heard that Dominion Energy is planning to cut down over 500 trees on Sullivan’s Island to make room for power lines, it was time for him to get to work.

“He stopped a playdate with his friend, they came up with this. This sign, this is the original drawing, and he said ‘Dad we need to bring awareness about this,'” Keegan’s dad Justin said.

Justin Novak made copies of the sign and now they’re hanging on dozens of the trees on Sullivan’s Island slated to be removed.

The sign has a simple message, “Don’t cut ’em down”.

“I just hope they notice them and really think about how many trees are going to go down if we don’t stop Dominion,” Keegan said.

Justin says Keegan has always been passionate about what’s going on in the world, and it’s had an impact on his classmates.

“He’s been an example for other kids and was celebrated for his engagement on this project. We couldn’t be prouder of him,” Justin said.

The Novak family is hoping this simple gesture protects the fate of these trees, but also, that it encourages their Sullivan’s Island community to support Keegan’s cause.

“So hopefully this engages other people in the community to be aware of what’s going on and see if there are things they can do to help preserve some of these trees,” Justin said.

Dominion Energy sent us a statement on this issue saying the palmetto trees they’ve decided to cut down are fire hazards.

They said “Palmetto trees cannot be reduced in height or directionally pruned like other trees, and side trimming is not recommended as these trees quickly replace pruned fronds and seed stalks. For these trees, removal is the safest option.”

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - From West Ashley to Sullivan’s Island, businesses spent the day recuperating after heavy rains and strong winds caused them to temporarily lock their doors.

Many of the exterior windows at Hay Tire Pros, off Savannah Highway, shattered, and a large part of their ceiling collapsed on the inside.

Vice President Bill Sekula said that they have always expected severe storms to come through with being in Charleston, but that they have never had this much damage before.

“I guess it was like a microburst or something to that effect, but apparently it was raining harder than usual and then the windows started to buckle and snapped over. These windows on the side just kind of came apart and came out of the building,” Sekula said.

Sekula said glass from the windows was even in the back part of their building which is almost 30 yards away. They had to close the business for the day and return all of their customers’ vehicles. He said the incident happened during hours of operation as employees notified him at around 8 a.m.

The next-door business, Etto Leisure Cars, a golf cart dealer, also saw significant damage. Will Harton, chief executive officer, said that part of their awning was ripped off and hit their power box causing them to lose power.

“I said ‘Oh my goodness.’ You know, you live in Charleston long enough, you know a storm is going to happen. Usually, it’s a hurricane. It’s not a microburst like this, but we will be fine and we will move on from here,” Harton said.

He added that he’s glad that all of his employees are safe and that the building and golf carts can be fixed.

First Alert Chief Meteorologist Bill Walsh said the damage could have been from a potential microburst or straight-line wind, but the National Weather Service has not yet confirmed that.

The Co-Op Frosé and Eatery on Sullivan’s Island had around two feet of water inside their restaurant. Their staff members spent the day using buckets to help get rid of the water. They said they have had flooding in the past, but never anything over a foot, so this is the worst they’ve seen.

“This morning, we lifted everything off the floor because we were expecting rain and heavy floods, but we didn’t know it was going to get this bad. So, as we were lifting things off the floor, it started coming in through the back door. Next thing you know there is water all over the place and we started getting buckets and mops and throwing water out. We’ve been throwing water out for the past three and a half hours,” employee Havannah Malan said.

She said that they have had to get their floors redone three times, and she expects the business will have to get them redone a fourth time after Saturday’s flood.

The businesses said they hope to repair the damages quickly, so they can return to normal operation as soon as possible.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.