Sumter County council debates road priorities as 'Penny for Progress' outreach continues
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Summary
Council members pressed for more county road funding during reports on community meetings for a proposed 'Penny for Progress' sales-tax; some members pushed to dedicate a larger share to rural roads while others warned the referendum must appeal to city voters to pass.
Sumter County Council members on Jan. 11 debated how a proposed capital projects sales tax should be allocated after staff reported on seven community meetings and a plan to form a Capital Projects Sales Tax Commission.
Councilman Carlton B. Washington said rural road repair should be the county’s top priority, arguing that prior capital spending favored downtown projects. "I consider road improvements as a basic service and we as members of Sumter County are failing horribly with roads," Washington said, pressing colleagues to dedicate a larger portion of the penny sales tax to rural roads or consider a separate penny for roads.
Councilman Artie Baker acknowledged that many of the problem routes are state roads but said the county has reduced unpaved miles over his tenure and said he hopes to see about $17,000,000 directed to roads through the program. "There are roads the County will not work on," Baker said, noting the mix of state and county responsibilities.
Councilman Eugene R. Baten urged a balanced approach, warning that the referendum will be decided by both county and city voters. He said rural projects should be emphasized while retaining elements that will persuade city residents to support the tax.
Administrator Gary Mixon described the next steps: staff will compile project lists and cost estimates, convene a one-and-a-half-month Capital Projects Sales Tax Commission to review submissions, then present an ordinance for County Council consideration. If Council approves the ordinance, the sales-tax referendum would be placed on the Nov. 2022 ballot.
The council did not take a final vote on allocations at the Jan. 11 meeting; members said they would continue outreach and return with more detailed project lists and a recommended apportionment.