Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tax Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Greenwood council votes to place three‑quarters‑percent sales tax renewal on March ballot, approves related ordinances
Summary
Council adopted ordinances to extend the city’s 0.75% sales-and-use tax for 10 years, waived additional readings and called a special election for March 3 to let voters decide; members discussed allocation among streets, fire and parks and the timing/bonding implications.
The Greenwood City Council voted unanimously on a package of measures to place a renewal of the city’s three‑quarters‑of‑one‑percent sales‑and‑use tax on the March 3, 2026 ballot.
Council reviewed an ordinance to extend the existing levy for 10 years, which the city attorney said mirrors the earlier language allocating the revenue in thirds for firefighting, parks and traffic relief. Council members raised the question of whether the ballot language should specify fixed percentages or list permitted purposes with flexibility. Staff and the attorney advised that specifying percentages binds future councils and could affect bond collateralization; the council deferred substantive allocation changes and chose to keep the current allocation language for the renewal.
To meet the state and clerk deadlines for the March ballot, the council took procedural steps to approve first reading, then waive the second and third readings and adopt the ordinance so the clerk can file the measure in time. Council also adopted the required ordinance calling the special election and approved title readings and waiver of additional readings on that ordinance as well.
Council members discussed outreach and timing: staff reported outreach and campaign planning is underway and noted voter turnout differences for primaries versus general elections. Staff and council also discussed contingent actions such as whether bonds could be collateralized against the tax; the attorney said bonding is permitted if the bond’s term does not exceed the tax term and the bond is for the stated purpose.
Votes at a glance (recorded in council meeting): - Ordinance extending 0.75% sales-and-use tax for 10 years: adopted (vote recorded as unanimous in the meeting). - Ordinance calling special election to place the question on the March ballot: adopted (unanimous).
What’s next: the clerk will complete required filings for the March 3 ballot and staff will continue voter outreach and preparatory materials for public information.
