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Charleston County begins public outreach on possible extension of first half‑cent transportation sales tax
Summary
Charleston County Council has begun soliciting public input on whether to extend the county's first half‑cent transportation sales tax and how to allocate proceeds, with staff and consultants expected to present a draft plan to council in January.
Charleston County staff told the Greenbelt Advisory Board on an October meeting that County Council is exploring whether to extend the county's first half‑cent transportation sales tax and is soliciting public comment on draft investment categories and priorities.
The county formed a Transportation Sales Tax committee (a committee of the whole made up of all County Council members) after consultants presented a historical report and accomplishments from prior transportation sales tax programs. Staff and consultants have begun targeted outreach to municipalities, stakeholder groups and the general public, and will report feedback to council in mid‑November or December, staff said.
Why it matters: Council direction would shape how future sales‑tax revenue is divided among major categories such as roadways, transit, bike and pedestrian projects, financing costs, and reserved funds for programs such as the Greenbelt program. Staff told the advisory board the draft presented to council in January would include recommended subcategory targets and candidate project lists; if council decides to proceed, the ordinance would require three readings before a mid‑August deadline to be placed on the ballot.
Staff said consultants presented preliminary allocation percentages used under past sales tax measures, and that Greenbelt has historically received a portion of sales‑tax funding (the presentation referenced 13% as a current planning figure). That share has varied in prior votes, staff said: about 17% in the first half‑penny program and about 10% in a later half‑penny. Staff also noted the county has launched a public website (charlestontransportation.com) and will distribute a public survey.
Discussion and next steps: Staff said outreach will include presentations at municipal and stakeholder meetings and targeted stakeholder sessions (the Trust for Public Land was named as a consultant organizing meetings for environmental groups and land trusts). County Council will review the outreach results and may revise investment categories and project lists in February; staff expected the final consultant/staff recommendation to council in January. If council votes to place a measure on the ballot, the ordinance process requires three readings.
No formal council decision has been made; staff emphasized the process is in a public input phase and that additional details will be posted to the county website and the committee meeting video on the county YouTube page.
