Wellford OKs 12 more Startex annexations

Wellford City Council on Wednesday approved 12 new annexations of homes from the unincorporated area of Startex, bringing the total number annexed for the year to about 60.

Last week, several concerned Startex residents met at Startex Fire Department with questions and complaints about Wellford's annexations. Some residents said they signed a petition to be annexed, but they didn’t realize they’d be paying more in taxes for the city services they’d receive — police protection, street lighting and trash pickup.

At a special meeting Wednesday morning, Wellford’s council voted 3-0 to accept the latest annexation petition. Mayor Patricia Watson and Council members Wymond Wilkins and Glenna Holcombe voted in favor of expanding the city boundaries. Council members Sherry Santana and Janice Gist did not attend.

City Administrator Chris Guy said all those who signed the petition did so willingly, and that no one has been forced to be annexed.

The tax rate for Wellford is 61.5 mills, the second-lowest rate in the county, Guy said. So a person with a $100,000 home would pay $61.50 a year in Wellford property tax, as well as a $60 annual fee for trash pickup.

Guy said the Startex Fire Department will not be annexed, and that the fire district’s service area and revenue will not be affected.

Police Chief David Green, who obtained the signatures from residents to be annexed, said there have been about 60 new properties added to Wellford this year.

The latest to be added are primarily on Tucapau Road in the former Startex Mill Village area, along with properties on Quinn Street, Spartanburg Road and North Main Street, Green said.

Green said in 2016 residents began to ask about being annexed so they could receive better police patrols and faster response to calls. Currently, Startex residents are served by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.

Green said his 12-member department will patrol the streets around the annexed properties routinely.

Council began the process of accepting annexations in February.

“Everything done by annexation has been done by the South Carolina handbook,” Green said. “We’ve been up front with everyone.”

Later Wednesday, resident David Gregg — who helped organize last week’s community meeting — said he has talked to several Startex residents who feel they didn’t know fully what they were signing. No Startex residents showed up for Wednesday's meeting.

“We’re still in opposition of what they’re trying to do,” Gregg said. “We’re putting together a list of those who want out. I’m trying to assist those who felt they were misled.”

Gregg blamed Wellford for poor communication.

“If they’d have called a community meeting (at the beginning of the process), it wouldn’t make you feel so screwed,” he said.

State Sen. Scott Talley, an attorney, offered to look into the annexation petitions for the residents. He said requests to be removed need to be submitted by June 10.

Talley, a Republican, said Wellford has been slow to answer his requests for documents.

“I did receive some documents of one of the first hearings,” Talley said Wednesday. “We believe we have identified some issues with the petition. We’re continuing to look into it.”

Talley's Senate district includes Wellford and Startex.

“My understanding is there may have been a few folks who went to Wellford with some questions about people understanding what is going on," he said. "I’m sure there are some who want to be (annexed).”

Spartanburg County Councilman Roger Nutt, who also represents Startex and Wellford, said in a phone interview he has received some questions about the issue.

“I let them know that’s a personal decision,” Nutt said. “When you go into the city, you have some surety of what services you’ve got. A lot like to live in the city, a lot like to move into the country. If you want more services and you’re willing to pay for it, it’s a good deal for you.”