Laurens County District 55 School Board members this week were briefed on several issues discussed at the recent convention of the South Carolina School Board Association. One was the matter of “Fee-In-Lieu-Of- Tax” (FILOT) agreements developed between local government and new industries locating in an area. Critics of such plans have said they rob school districts of needed funds, since the fees set are lower that regular tax rates might suggest. Supporters of the plans have countered that the FILOT agreements are creating new revenue for schools and county government by luring new industrial plants that add to the local tax revenue base.
Speaking of the agreements with our reporter at the Monday night meeting, School board member Robbie Bell noted that companies looking for an area to locate a plant first ask about the quality of the local school district.
In splitting money generated from new industry between the county coffers and the local schools, Laurens County usually uses the same percentages that local taxes would have, although some FILOTS have diverted some funds for future economic development.