Charleston County Council voted 5–4 to authorize the release and sale of Point Farm mitigation credits to other public entities and municipalities, a decision county staff said will return immediate revenue to the transportation sales tax fund.

County staff explained the agreement with Point Farm includes a replacement guarantee if credits become unusable. ‘‘It will go back into the fund balance of the transportation sales tax,’’ county staff member Mister Thigpen said, describing how proceeds would be applied. Staff estimated the portion tied to today’s approval would bring about $672,000 back to the transportation sales tax balance.

Several council members objected to moving credits out of local inventory. Councilmember Moody said there were two concerns: that no more local mitigation credits may be available and that selling now could leave the county short if future projects need them. ‘‘I would hate for this county to be in a position where we need those credits 5, 10 years down the road, they're not there,’’ Moody said. Councilmember Wurman asked whether legal or contractual issues could render credits unusable; staff replied Point Farm would provide replacement credits if their bank failed to qualify.

Supporters framed the sale as an opportunity to generate funds for immediate transportation needs. ‘‘If we vote affirmatively, over 670,000 can go immediately to address our transportation needs that we wouldn't otherwise have,’’ a council member said during debate.

After a brief exchange on market pricing — staff said credits were purchased at $45,000 and the market rate is currently about $60,000 — the motion carried on a 5–4 recorded voice count.

Next steps: the sale moves forward under the terms described by staff; council did not identify additional legislative steps in the public record at the meeting.