Charleston County Council is considering the possibility of bringing back the half-cent sales tax on the 2026 ballot. In a recent special workshop, council leaders discussed the transportation sales tax with the help of Chernoff Newman, which is working alongside county staff to create a new phased plan that focuses on building trust and improving public awareness.
Phased Plan for Transportation Projects
The new plan aims to engage residents from all areas of Charleston County, ensuring that everyone, whether in West Ashley, North Charleston, or Mount Pleasant, feels they’ve had a say in the projects that will be proposed. Ryan Brown, vice president of public affairs at Chernoff Newman, emphasized the importance of dialogue and public input in shaping the transportation priorities for the next 25 years.
Representatives from the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments and FIRE consulting also participated in the meeting to help map out the region’s priorities. Topics discussed included improving roadways, public safety, public transit, and greenbelt programs—issues that have been key focus areas in past plans.
High-Profile Projects and Future Focus
Council member Jenny Costa Honeycutt, representing District 9, mentioned several high-profile projects that are on the table, such as completing the Highway 41 project, which has been a point of ongoing community discussion. She also highlighted smaller projects like those on James Island, including Central Park and Fort Johnson. Honeycutt stressed the importance of engaging the community in a transparent process to discuss future projects.
Renewing the Half-Cent Sales Tax
One of the main topics of discussion was the potential renewal of the half-cent sales tax to fund future transportation projects. In 2024, a referendum to implement the sales tax failed, but with the current sales tax set to expire, some council members believe a new one is necessary to complete important projects. Council members noted that renewing the existing tax would be more favorable to voters than introducing a new tax altogether.
“Well, the most important thing about the referendum currently is that we would be re-upping an existing tax, that is renewing a program that is already existing,” Honeycutt explained. “If the program ends, we would actually have to raise the tax again.” She added that voters tend to be more inclined to support a tax continuation if they feel the program has yielded success.
Suggestions for Improving Traffic and Quality of Life
Other suggestions made by council members to improve traffic flow and overall quality of life in the region included widening lanes, adding roundabouts, and ensuring better accessibility to public transit. Council member Joe Boykin also provided an update on the Maybank Highway project, which is now in its final design phase.
Next Steps
The council voted to approve a motion requesting an analysis and data report to be completed within the next 60 days. This report is expected to help guide the creation of a comprehensive plan if the council decides to proceed with the new half-cent sales tax referendum for 2026.
