News Summary
Richland County voters have overwhelmingly approved a new penny tax, aiming to collect $4.5 billion over the next 25 years to enhance transportation and public transit. With 61% support, this tax will ensure immediate funding for critical infrastructure projects, including community investments, and improvements to the local public transit system, COMET. The new tax is planned to take effect after the current tax expires in December 2026, showcasing a strong commitment to more efficient and accessible transit options for residents.
Richland County, SC – Voters in Richland County approved a new penny tax on November 5, 2024, allowing for the collection of $4.5 billion over the next 25 years for transportation projects and public transit improvements. The decision was made with an overwhelming 61 percent of voters in favor of reinstating the 1% tax, reflecting a stronger approval rate than the previous 2012 penny tax, which garnered only 53 percent approval.
As part of the ballot, voters were presented with two related questions: the continuation of the penny tax and the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund various penny-related projects. The approval for the issuance of bonds was supported by 63 percent of voters. This new tax structure aims to expedite funding for essential transportation projects, allowing immediate financial resources rather than waiting for the standard two years needed to accumulate revenue.
With a significant portion of the new funds, 48 percent will go towards community investment projects, focusing on building sidewalks and paving previously unpaved dirt roads. Additionally, 30 percent of the funding will be dedicated to county advancement projects, highlighting infrastructure improvements. The remaining 22 percent will be allocated to support the local public transit system, COMET.
The new penny tax is scheduled to commence immediately after the current tax expires in December 2026. The previous $700 million penny tax successfully funded a variety of projects, including extensive road improvements, new sidewalks, development of greenways, and resurfacing of 120 miles of roads. Under that initiative, 85 dirt roads were paved, and 11 new intersections were constructed to enhance transportation efficiency across the county.
For the COMET public transit system, the new funding is expected to approach $1 billion. However, this amount indicates a 15 percent reduction in its operational budget compared to the last decade, raising concerns over potential challenges in maintaining current fleet conditions and adequate service levels. The county must carefully manage these financial resources to ensure continued support and efficiency within the public transit system.
Richland County officials have outlined a plan to reassess and prioritize transportation projects annually with the help of a new scoring system. This system will evaluate projects based on critical factors such as safety, functionality, and the potential for external funding sources. This strategic approach contrasts with the previous penny tax model, which was limited to a defined list of projects. The new strategy provides more flexibility, allowing officials to respond effectively to evolving transportation needs within the county.
The growth in voter support for this penny tax reflects broad recognition of the importance of sustainable investment in transportation infrastructure. The hope is that this newly funded project will provide the necessary tools to enhance community accessibility and promote safer, more efficient transit options for all residents of Richland County.
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Additional Resources
- The State
- Wikipedia: Transportation in the United States
- Post and Courier
- Google Search: penny tax Richland County
- WACH
- Google Scholar: Richland County transportation projects
- Richland Source
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Transportation
- Fox 41 Yakima
- Google News: Richland County transportation
