The Greenville County Finance Committee approved a request from the Terrapin (Terrapins Estate) Special Tax District to raise its annual special tax fee from $50 to $200 for up to four years to fund decorative street signs and related neighborhood improvements.

Bob Hollis, a commissioner for the Terrapins Estate Special Tax District, told the committee the commissioners solicited property-owner ballots and reported a 65% approval among those who voted; overall voter participation was about 54.6% of property owners. “Our project is to provide decorative street signs for our neighborhood,” Hollis said, and the commissioners estimated the project cost at about $45,000 based on quotes from two local companies.

Hollis said the project is intended as curb appeal and that the commissioners plan to seek a fee reduction after the work is completed; the district’s ordinance includes a four-year sunset clause for the increased fee. He also said the district provides annual reports and maintains open records for property owners.

Committee members raised legal and procedural questions about voting thresholds. Commissioner Palmer noted that some processes require 55% approval; presenters referenced the original establishing ordinance (Ordinance 58-O-21) and said the district had met the required thresholds when initially formed. The district’s bylaws reference a “majority” requirement for certain internal votes. County staff and district representatives indicated they did not expect a procedural bar to approval.

The committee moved to approve the district’s request by voice vote. Commissioners said the fee increase will revert to $50 after the sunset period or sooner if project costs allow.