COLUMBIA, S.C. — Concerned citizens from across Richland County gathered at the county council chambers Tuesday evening to share their thoughts on the proposed transportation penny tax.
While the hearing was primarily scheduled to discuss the adoption of tax itself, most of those who spoke discussed their thoughts on the various programs the current transportation penny tax helps fund.
Comments ranged from questions over the validity of the hearing itself, to praises for the current council's handling of funds from the current penny tax and demands for more accountability from all facets of county government.
Transportation costs in Richland County are expected to reach $8 billion over the next 25 years, meanwhile the proposed transportation penny tax will raise not more than $4.5 billion. That money will split several ways, with 30% going to "County Advancement Projects,", 48% scheduled for "Community Investment Projects" and 22% for "COMET Enhancement Projects"
Richland County Councilman Don Weaver from district six told News19 that each district in the county is guaranteed at least $20 million for transportation-specific projects. He said that while the council enjoyed hearing from the public, there was still some clarification needed in regard to the proposed tax.
"I want to emphasize though, this is not a new tax, this is just an extension of the current tax. So, people are used to paying it, and some of the projects that were not finished from the 2012 penny (tax), we can finish with this new round of funding if voters approve it," Weaver said.
Weaver said the council tries to listen to the community when it comes to how the tax money is spent.
"So, we get a lot of input from citizen groups as to the direction of the penny, and different community projects. That’s important to council, it’s important to elected officials to get that input from citizen groups, neighborhood groups, that kind of thing,” Weaver explained.
Once approved by the county council, the transportation sales and use tax will head to the November 5th ballot in Richland County. If approved by voters, the new penny tax would start the day after the current penny tax ends.
That is projected to take place on November 30th, 2026.