Charleston County officials briefed the Town of James Island on the county’s transportation sales tax program and asked local leaders for priorities as the county considers a renewal.

Debri (Debree) Dottoma, a county presenter, told the council the county has committed roughly $4.56 billion to infrastructure, transit and greenbelt projects over the last 20 years. She said about $3.4 billion was collected from the transportation sales tax and that the county leveraged those proceeds to secure roughly $1.2 billion in additional federal and other matching funds.

Dottoma gave a breakdown of prior distributions — about 25% to public transit, 13% to the greenbelt program and 62% to infrastructure — and asked municipalities for input on how a potential future penny should be allocated. She noted the first half‑cent used in past years is expiring and said county council created a special committee to solicit municipal feedback on whether to continue the penny and how to split investments for a proposed third round.

County staff asked the town to collect and return a priority list within 45 days, and to help publicize a questionnaire for resident input. Dottoma said projects achieved with previous sales tax funds include sidewalks, bike‑ped facilities, intersection improvements and contributions to Lowcountry Rapid Transit and other transit improvements.

Council members asked about interested categories such as wastewater and stormwater when tied to transportation projects; county staff said public utilities work associated with transportation projects is handled under existing state rules that currently require local contributions of 4% for larger utilities and 100% for smaller utilities when utilities must move for a transportation project, and noted the statute’s sunset and lobbying by utilities for sustained funding.

There was no council vote; county staff requested the town’s priorities and assistance in outreach ahead of an anticipated January county council presentation.