Charleston County, South Carolina — The Charleston County Council has initiated a new public input process to help define the future of transportation and greenspace.
On Thursday night, the council’s newly created Transportation Sales Tax Committee resolved to launch a transparent, community-led initiative to steer consideration of extending the county’s half-cent transportation sales tax.
The present program, which has been in place for more than two decades, has funded significant improvements to roads, transit, and green space. As the region expands, the committee is contemplating how to spend over the next 25 years, with community involvement as the driving factor.
“This is just the start of the conversation,” County Council Chairman Kylon Middleton stated. “We want to hear directly from our citizens about their priorities, what may be missing from the existing program, and which projects matter most to them moving forward.”
Read more: “Charleston County residents vote against special sales and use tax questions.”
Council is evaluating a draft plan outlining investment categories based on an estimated $4.25 billion in sales tax income over 25 years. Early concepts include:
Roadwork includes paving, improving safety at intersections and in rural regions, and addressing bottlenecks.
Transit: Increased bus service and the Lowcountry Rapid Transit.
Greenbelt: Protecting parks and open areas.
Biking and walking facilities include sidewalks, bike lanes, and safer crossings.
Since 2004, two transportation sales taxes have provided 62% of funding for infrastructure initiatives, including bike and pedestrian upgrades, 25% for public transportation, and 13% for greenbelt preservation.
In the coming months, county leaders intend to collect feedback through public meetings, stakeholder workshops, and an online poll. Council members will analyze the feedback and use it to inform decisions.
Information on how residents can get involved will be available at charlestontransportation.com.
Earlier this month, the council got a report that examined the impact of prior sales taxes. Since 2004, $4.56 billion has been invested in community infrastructure, with tourists and federal sources accounting for 48% of the total. The cash helped fund hundreds of miles of resurfaced roads, new transit choices, and critical projects around the county.
