COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland County Council spent Tuesday evening discussing proposing a new Transportation Penny Sales Tax to voters.
The last time Richland County passed a Transportation Penny tax was in 2012, and when it reaches its full amount, the county will have collected $1.07 billion in transportation funding.
Now that the collection is almost complete, the county council is brainstorming new changes regarding the possibility of a new Penny Tax.
The council has discussed breaking down the funding into categories, which Councilman Jason Branham used in his proposed idea for the penny.
“Fifty percent will go to County Advancement, 30% goes to Community Investment, and 20% goes to COMET, and each district would get a minimum of $20 million," Brahnam said.
The council voted to pass this allotment with a collection of $4.5 billion over the next 25 years.
According to Richland County's records, the 'County Advancement' category of funding in the tax would target the expansion of transportation to support economic growth countywide. This means new construction, improvements, and widening of major roadways, intersections, and commuting areas.
The second category mentioned was 'Community Investment' and these projects would impact day-to-day life like paving dirt roads, intersection improvements, bikeways, sidewalks, and other pedestrian-friendly projects.
Council Chair Jessica Mackey says none of this is a done deal just yet. Whether Richland County has a Transportation Penny Tax or not is ultimately up to the voters.
"A public hearing will be held on July 9, and a third and final reading on July 16. We spaced these out so we could get enough community involvement to make sure we are developing a penny that works for everyone in Richland. Once this ordinance passes a third reading, that is not the end of it. That is just allowing this language to appear on the General Election ballot in November and voters make the final decision," Mackey explained.
For more information on how the Transportation Penny Sales tax works in Richland County, you can visit the Transportation Penny section of the County's website.