Mount Pleasant Magazine Documenting Covid-19

29 www.CoronavirusMag.com | www.ReadMPM.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com tax levied on any prepared food and beverage, and accommodations tax on hotel rooms that will see declines. To what degree is still unclear as the situation evolves. The town is also unaware of how much federal stimulus money will be available to municipalities. DeMoura cited some initial actions taken to “help absorb the impact and keep our house in order.” These include a hiring freeze as a town, except for essential positions like fire or police personnel. They have already frozen 20 positions, which saved $1 million. The town’s 2021 budget had tentatively incorporated raises for its 700 employees, but DeMoura has proposed postponing them to save another $2 million. “We’re a lot like schools in a way,” explained DeMoura. “Most of our money is in personnel. And that’s what we can address.” Speaking to eventual re-openings and recovery planning (the town’s fifth operational objective), DeMoura said he expects a gradual transition similar to how the closures worked, with a decision that weighs public health information and economics. “I believe it will be a phased, sequential roll-out,” he said. Because of the varying timelines when stay-at-home orders were enacted, both internationally and nationally, Photo by Jenn Cady. As a pet rescuer and owner myself, I understand the needs of families who have four-legged family members. Here are two of my current rescues – sweet little Baby Girl and my boy, Mack. I’d love to help you find a home that fits all of your family’s needs – four- legged and two-legged members! Pets fill your home with love...and I’m all “four” it! SUZIE SMITH 843.475.0511 OldVillageMountPleasant.com info@OldVillageMountPleasant.com OUR PETS REDUCED OUR STRESSWHILEWEWERE QUARANTINED P E T - F R I E N D L Y A G E N T PET PET-FRIENDLY AGENT ® Best Real Estate Company!