Rates

Water Rates (effective July 2012)
Minimum Base Rates:
$17.42 (inside city up to 300 cubic ft.)
$26.54 (outside city up to 300 cubic ft.)
Standard ¾ residential metercharge per 100 cubic feet over minimum (300 cf) is: $2.45 per 100 cubic feet (inside city rates)
$3.40 per 100 cubic feet (outside city rates)

Charge per 100 cubic feet is:
$2.65 (inside city rates)
$4.85 (outside city rates)

Stormwater Drainage Study Fee – commercial
$5.00

How to obtain water/sewer services

The account can be set up in the Finance Department on Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is a service fee of $30 if the location is inside the city limits and a service fee of $40 if the location is outside the city limits. Required at sign up are a social security number, telephone number of the account-named person, photo ID, and, if renting or leasing, a copy of the rental/lease agreement provided by the rental agent. Generally, there is same-day service for connection of water on a normal request.

Due Dates

The City of Hartsville water bill is due by the 15th of each month. The bill is to be paid in full to avoid any late fees. Any amount not received by the due date will be charged a 10% late fee on the balance due. Any balance not paid by the 20th is subject to water disconnection without any notice.

Available ways to pay your water/sewer bill

Hartsville City Hall, Finance Dept. (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
City Hall drive through – located between City Hall and
Police Department (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.- must have bill or account number)
City of Hartsville – City Hall, Drop box located between City Hall and Police Department (not responsible for cash payments)
Automatic bank draft
U.S. Postal Service

To set up bank draft, you will be required to fill out the bank draft authorization form and return it to the Finance Department at City Hall. After completion and return of the form, the draft will take approximately 30 days to become effective. There is no charge to start this service.

Disconnection of water/sewer service

The water/sewer service may be disconnected without notice if payment is not received in accounting by the designated due date. If the service is cut off for non-payment of balance due, a $25 reconnection fee for residents within the city limits, or, a $30 reconnection fee for residents outside the city limit is added to the bill. The bill must be paid in full before service is restored.

Additional charges

The City of Hartsville charges a $10 fee for the following:
A temporary cut off fee for sprinkler systems (during winter months)
After-hours cut off: $20 for residents inside the city; and $25 for residents outside the city’s limits
A temporary cut off for emergency use (burst pipe)
A temporary cut on for cleaning purposes (maximum of 30 days)
A temporary cut off fee for extensive traveling

Trash and yard debris pick up

There is also a residential charge of $19.50 per month added to the water/sewer bill for picking up trash and yard debris. This fee covers the normal household trash and also the yard debris. Households that pay for city water/sewer are no longer required to use Darlington County yellow trash bags. The green rollcarts are for garbage and are supplied by the City of Hartsville. Blue rollcarts are for recyclable materials and can be requested by calling Environmental Services at 843.383.3019. The City of Hartsville has designated days for pick up.

2012 holiday garbage and recycling pick-up schedule

• Mon., Feb. 20 moved to Tues., Feb. 21
• Mon., May 28 moved to Tues., May 29
• Wed., July 4 moved to Thurs., July 5
• Mon., Sept. 3 moved to Tues., Sept. 4
• Thurs., Nov. 22 moved to Wed., Nov. 21
• Fri., Nov. 23 moved to Mon., Nov. 26
• Tues., Dec. 25 moved to Wed., Dec. 26
• Wed., Dec. 26 moved to Thurs., Dec. 27

Trash pick up for businesses varies in fee charges due to the size of containers and the number of times picked up per week. These fees are calculated by the Solid Waste department. Call 843.383.3019 for a schedule.

 

Accommodations Tax

On March 14, 2006, City Council passed an ordinance creating a local 3% accommodations tax on hotel/motel charges within the city’s limits.
Payment of the accommodations tax is remitted by the vendor to the City of Hartsville on a monthly basis. Together with the official Accommodations Tax Form, payment is due not later than the twentieth (20th) of the month for taxes covering the previous month.

Taxes paid on or before the 20th are eligible for a 2% discount, however, if taxes are paid after the 20th of the month, a 10% penalty is applied.

Accommodations taxes are made payable to the City of Hartsville Finance Department. Any questions, please call Laurie at 843-383-3015.

Hospitality Taxes

The City of Hartsville plays an important role by encouraging economic development within the city. However, with economic growth we must find the resources to meet the increase in service demands.

After exploring several possibilities, City Council concluded that the best solution was to join other cities across the state by initiating and collecting a 2% Hospitality Tax on food and beverages in the City. A Hospitality Booklet is available in the Finance Department to all vendors who are implementing the Hospitality Tax.

On May 11, 2004, The City of Hartsville passed an ordinance establishing a Hospitality Tax on prepared meals and beverages. The 2% tax is applied to the gross proceeds of sales of prepared food and beverages sold in establishments located within the City of Hartsville. Combined tax is 9% (7% State of South Carolina, and 2% City of Hartsville Hospitality Tax).

The tax imposed by The City of Hartsville, shall be collected from the customer when payment for meals or beverages is tendered and shall be remitted on the designated time schedule to the City of Hartsville.

Payment of the hospitality tax shall be remitted by the vendor to The City of Hartsville by the 20th day of the month and shall cover the tax due for the previous month. The tax remitted on or before the due date shall receive a 2% discount.

The tax remitted after the due date shall receive a 10% penalty per month until paid in full. The payments should be made to The City of Hartsville, Finance Department.

Governmental Check Off List

The following guide will help you keep tack of various actions that may be required of you to start a business in Hartsville. Please note that we have included information from other agencies and levels of government to help you, you may be required to complete each task and there may be other requirements that are not listed in this packet.

IRS Employees Number obtained – Federal
Worker’s Compensation Insurance Coverage – State
Review of Occupational Safety & Health Act – State
Permit Obtained for Selling Food – State

Business License – City of Hartsville Finance (843.383.3015)
Zoning Approval – City of Hartsville Planning and Development (843.383.3009)
Building Permit – City of Hartsville Planning and Development (843.383.3009)
Sign Permit – City of Hartsville Planning and Development (843.383.3009)

Federal Regulations & Resources

Hiring Employees – IRS Requirements

There are several federal and state requirements to meet if you plan to hire employees. You must file a form SS-4 with the Internal Revenue Service and the IRS will assign an employer identification number to your business. You will be liable for Federal withholding taxes and FICA. – The toll free number to order the SS-4 form is 1-800-424-FORM (3676).

State Regulations and Resources

Retail licenses are required by some businesses and are issued by the SC Department of Revenue.

Restaurants, grocery stores, or other businesses that handle food must obtain the approval of the health department prior to operations. If any alcohol is served, an ABC permit is required by state law.

Many professions and contractors must also be licensed by the State of South Carolina, and to work in Hartsville contractors must obtain a SC State Contractors or Home Builder’s license prior to approval for a city business license.