Since May 2007 PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID CHARLESTON SC PERMIT NO 137 POSTAL PATRON
VOLUME 18 ISSUE 23
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FEBRUARY 7, 2025
Spotlight surveying for deer wrapped on Kiawah BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
I
f you recently noticed spotlights around Kiawah Island and maybe even in your yard, don’t worry; you aren’t being watched! It’s that time of year again to count deer, and they only do it at night. Directed by the Town of Kiawah Island, the January 28 and 29 deer count marked the second count in recent months. The first one occurred in early November of 2024. Town biologists count the deer each year to get a sense of the density of the deer population in a certain radius. In November, the count showed a density of 68 deer per square mile. That is an increase from 2023, when the density was at 57 per square mile. The target density is 60 to 80 deer per square mile. The counting takes place at night, which is when deer actively feed. Spotlights are used to count deer in usually high deer-populated areas. Spotlight surveys are important to determine a manageable deer population. Deer overabundance could lead to the number of deer outnumbering the amount of food available, which would lead to disease and malnutrition. November and January survey results will be averaged to develop the official 2024 density estimate. After the January 2025 survey is (continued on page 3) complete, a recommendation on the need for
New requirements for business licenses on Kiawah BY THERESA STRATFORD
T
For The Island Connection
PHOTO BY JOSEPH THOMPSON
he new year has made its debut with quite a bang. Snow, a new president and for business license carriers on Kiawah Island, there’s a requirement to renew. Beginning in 2025, all businesses will be required to submit income-verifying documents along with their license renewal form. That means that businesses must include documentation verifying reported income when submitting the paperwork. If they fail to comply, the renewal process will be significantly delayed until the correct paperwork is submitted or the renewal could be denied. The additional documentation will help the town confirm the accuracy of business license fees, as these are calculated based on reported income levels. One of the following documents is accepted when reporting income: • Federal or state income tax return, which must clearly show Kiawah gross receipts • Profit and loss statement, which must clearly show Kiawah gross receipts • Reports from the company’s finance software that show Kiawah gross receipts • Contracts for Kiawah projects or sales (continued on page 3) • South Carolina state sales tax returns
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