COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland County Council gave a second round of approval to funding for the expansion of Riverbanks Zoo on Tuesday night.
In an 8-3 vote, the council approved Richland County's portion of an $80 million bond to help with the Riverbanks Zoo's 'Bridge to the Wild' project. The project promises to bring a new orangutan exhibit and create riverfront access with a multipurpose facility and restaurant.
Council members Overture Walker, Don Weaver, and Jason Branham all voted no on helping fund the expansion because it would cause property taxes to increase for Richland residents.
"For me, if I'm going to raise property taxes on residents, it's a two-prong test. Number one it has to be a necessity, and number two we have to exhaust all other alternatives. While the zoo's request is important, I don't view it as a necessity," said Council chair, Overture Walker.
Other voices in the community raised similar concerns, with City of Columbia Mayor, Daniel Rickenmann posting a formal letter he sent to the county council on Facebook expressing his distaste for raising taxes in Richland County.
"First of all, I want to support the zoo, but property tax is not the appropriate thing. EdVenture, and Columbia Museum of Art, all of which are not paid with property tax, they're paid with hospitality, accommodations, etc. That's the appropriate source, it [the zoo] is a tourist destination," Rickenmann explained.
The agreement to expand the zoo will cost both Richland and Lexington County $80 million together, with Riverbanks asking for $44.8 million from Richland and $35.2 million from Lexington.
Matt Perron with Riverbanks Zoo says the 'yes' vote from Richland County will help them accomplish a plan the zoo has been dreaming up since 2019.
"We've been foreseeing this, and all of us are pinching ourselves every single day... We're all so excited, so apprehensive, so nervous, almost like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting to see if Santa brings him that bike he's been wanting," Perron said with a smile.
The Richland County Council will have two special-called meetings later this month, and Lexington County will take a final vote on its portion of the funding for the zoo on Wednesday.