Survey summarizes local government fiscal conditions in South Carolina.

• Position: Brief article

Growth of city and county governments in South Carolina has been relatively flat since fiscal 2008, according to the State of Local Government Fiscal Conditions in South Carolina 201 survey. General fund budgets have increased by a net 3,04 percent for municipalities and by 1.71 percent for counties. Full-time equivalent positions fell by 0,67 percent at the participating municipalities, while they increased by 1.67 percent at the counties.

Based on fiscal 201 I revenue estimates provided by respondents, property tax revenues have increased by I t.4 percent for cities since fiscal 2008 and by 6.8 percent for counties. There was very little change in property tax revenue from fiscal 2010 to fiscal 2011, however, because of the declining real estate market and because fewer jurisdictions raised property taxes in fiscal 20 I than in the previous three years.

Local option sales tax revenue decreased by an average 3.4...