Moderator outlines Greenwood 10-year tax renewal that funds fire, streets and parks

The moderator at a Greenwood city meeting urged residents to vote on a 10-year sales tax renewal that the city says funds the fire, street and parks departments, noting early voting opened the day of the meeting.

The moderator said the measure is "not a new tax, but a tax renewal ... for a period of 10 years," and described the levy as a major revenue source for city services. "It raises about [a] million and a half dollars per year," the moderator said, characterizing that revenue as central to the city's budgets for emergency services, street maintenance and parks.

Why it matters: City officials at the meeting said the renewal supplies a large percentage of funding to three departments and cited routine uses such as equipment purchases and street repairs. The moderator said the fire department has used the funding for trucks and that the street department uses the funds for repaving and upkeep.

During a short question-and-answer exchange, a resident asked, "Can you talk about the way tax?" The moderator replied that the tax proceeds "goes with each department" and that "the fire and the parks department utilizes a lot of these" funds to support operations. When asked how narrowly the money may be used, the moderator confirmed, "Yes, it is restricted specifically to those three." The moderator added they did not have the precise restriction language available and advised residents to check with City Hall for the exact legal wording.

The moderator also reminded attendees that early voting began that day and indicated voting continues through March 2. The meeting ended with a final appeal: "Thank you so much. Appreciate you tuning in tonight. Go vote."