Byron Thomas Press Release – I want to be very clear: Thomas Dambo’s troll art is incredible. It’s creative, unique, and something I would genuinely love to see in the City of Cayce. I also believe it would bring more visitors to our community, every organization I’ve spoken with has seen tourism increases after installing these projects.

However, my vote comes down to how the project is funded, not the project itself.

When you look at other cities across the country, a consistent pattern emerges:

– In Solvang, California, the “Lulu Hyggelig” troll is located inside the California Nature Art Museum, a nonprofit, and was fully funded through private donor contributions.

– In High Point, North Carolina, Visit High Point secured a $300,000 private donation (76%) and a $15,600 foundation donation (4%) before signing the contract, with the remaining $74,400 covered by the organization.

They also advised watching for hidden costs, especially currency conversion. Right now, €1 = $1.17, higher than during their project. They saved additional funds by shipping their troll alongside the Charlotte and Raleigh projects, which were fully funded through nonprofit donations and private support.

– In Michigan, the “Benny the Beard Fisher” troll was privately funded through Northland Outfitters, with no direct municipal funding required.

– In Hainesport, New Jersey, the town led the effort for the “Big Rusty” troll, but a $100,000 private donation (about 70%) was secured before they signed the contract, with the remaining $41,000 paid through the town’s Open Space Fund back in 2023.

Right now, we do not have a major private donation secured to offset the cost.

That matters, because this involves taxpayer dollars.

There has also been confusion about Accommodation and Hospitality Taxes (A-Tax and H-Tax), so here are the facts:

– Hospitality Tax (H-Tax) is collected on prepared food and beverages, paid by residents and visitors alike.
– Accommodation Tax (A-Tax) is collected from hotels and short-term rentals.

Both are public funds, and we must use them responsibly.

Under South Carolina Code Title 6 Chapter 1 Local Hospitality Tax Act:
– No required timeline to spend Hospitality Tax funds
– No restriction on carrying a fund balance

We are not under pressure to rush H-Tax spending. These funds already support our parks department, city events, tourism programming, and public safety tied to tourism, reducing pressure on the general fund.

By contrast, under South Carolina Code Title 6 Chapter 4 Accommodations Tax:
– Funds are generally expected to be used within two years, with extensions available

These funding sources operate differently, and that distinction matters.

My position is simple:

I support bringing a troll to Cayce.
But we should do it the right way.

That means:
– Securing strong private partnerships
– Reducing the burden on taxpayers
– Following the model used by other cities

Once a contract is signed, the financial obligation becomes real, it is a commitment to the taxpayer.

I do not feel comfortable signing a contract first and then asking staff to offset costs afterward. The better approach is securing funding upfront before making that commitment.

If your roof needed to be replaced, most people wouldn’t sign a contract first. You’d get multiple quotes, compare costs, and see if insurance would help cover it before moving forward.

Why are we rushing when we can ensure we are saving taxpayer money? I have not found a city or organization that moved forward without securing a significant private donation before signing a contract.

So, as of now, I am voting no on this project due to the lack of secured private funding and our responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.