COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland County's current transportation penny tax, first approved by voters in 2012, is set to expire soon. Now, county voters will have the chance to renew that tax on the upcoming November ballot.
"County council is giving voters the decision to vote," said Councilmember Jessica Mackey of the Transportation Penny Ad-Hoc Committee. "County council unanimously passed this and supports it, but for voters who support the transportation penny and would like to continue to see it carry on and to see projects come to Richland County, voting yes to both questions is imperative," Mackey added.
The penny tax is expected to raise about $4.5 billion. The funds will be divided into three categories: community investment projects, funding for The COMET public transit system, and county advancement projects.
One of the major projects funded by the penny tax was the Greene Street Bridge, a structure Mackey said has benefited the entire downtown community, including students and tourists.
"That has been a huge asset to downtown residents, to college students, as well as tourists visiting here," Mackey explained. "Being able to now move from Green Street over the university, and being able to get to downtown and eventually to the riverfront, is a huge asset for downtown Columbia."
The first question on the ballot will ask voters if they want County Council to renew the current transportation penny tax. This would be a continuation of the tax approved in 2012.
A second question will follow, asking voters if the county government should be allowed to acquire borrowing power. This would allow the county to issue a bond of up to $950 million.
"That allows us to begin projects sooner," Mackey said. "If voters pass it, instead of having to wait five, six years to collect $950 million, we would go ahead and borrow the money and start building those projects now. As collections come in, that's how we would pay off the bond."
Mackey emphasized that without the tax renewal, Richland County would lack the funds necessary to keep up with the area's growth and continue making improvements to roads and pedestrian areas.
"We wouldn't be able to continue to build roads, pave dirt roads, or even have sidewalks without the transportation penny," she said.
The next public discussion on the transportation penny program will take place this Thursday at a town hall meeting at Hand Middle School's auditorium, starting at 6 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend and ask questions about the upcoming vote.