Council sends transportation sales tax to Nov. 2025 ballot with project list that includes Henry Harris widening and large resurfacing program

Lancaster County Council voted 5–2 to place a proposed 10‑year transportation sales and use tax on the November 2025 ballot and to include a project list and budget buckets in the ballot language. The ordinance authorizes a maximum program level and describes intended project categories; council's vote sends the referendum question to county voters for final approval.

Staff and the county's transportation committee briefed council on a compacted project set after earlier conversations and guidance from council. The package brought to council lists broad buckets that include: a major collector widening (staff and consultants identified Henry Harris Road as the proposed widening project in staff recommendations), a large resurfacing program for county and municipal streets, intersection improvements and roundabouts, and funding for Greenway/trail connections and ADA improvements. Staff explained the amounts in the ballot language are approximate and that project lists and final scopes would be refined if voters approve the measure.

Council debate included timing questions: two council members said they preferred postponing a referendum until 2026 to allow more public education after a recent failed ballot effort, while others said waiting would delay projects residents support. Council also discussed whether to include specific streets such as Harrisburg Road or Barberville Road; staff said SCDOT and regional planning partners recommended Henry Harris Road as a priority collector tie‑in and that refinements will continue as part of program development.

The ordinance includes a second, bond‑authorization clause allowing the county to issue general obligation bonds up to a capped amount to begin high‑priority projects earlier if needed; staff said the bonds would be repaid from future sales tax receipts. County counsel advised on ballot language and the two‑step structure: voters would authorize the tax and the county would then implement the approved program under the adopted ordinance and project list.

Council approved placing the referendum on the November ballot by a 5–2 vote. The ballot language and project list will be finalized for the formal referendum resolution and for any public information campaign ahead of the election.

Ending: If voters approve the measure in November, the county will move to the implementation phase, including program administration, design and contracting. If voters reject the measure, the county will revisit other funding options.