Council raises Greenlink share to 5% after debate over roads vs. transit

A contentious floor debate at the July 12 Greenville County Council meeting centered on the share of a proposed penny sales-and-use tax to dedicate to mass transit. Greenlink supporters, including board appointee William Forsyth, said 5% would fund planned expansions and connections, while some council members and public speakers worried that increasing the transit share would reduce funds for road repairs.

William Forsyth told council, “At 5%, as in the amendment, Greenlink can begin expanding in 2029 and phase in additional improvements through 2031,” and he estimated the difference for Greenlink would be about $2.75 million annually. Margaret McGinty, a resident who spoke in favor of the referendum, cited an estimate from the South Carolina Department of Revenue that about 35% of penny-tax revenue would be generated by visitors and argued that transit funding could therefore be supported in part by outside dollars.

Opponents including public commenters and council members raised questions about accountability and asked for audits and transparency. Diane Vreeland, speaking during the appearances period, asked pointedly, “What is the reasoning behind raising the percentage from 3 to 5% for dollars expended for mass transit?”

In the end the council approved an amendment to increase the transit allocation to 5% and passed the ordinance as amended. Council leaders added procedural language for how municipal shares will be administered and created a Transportation Transparency Committee to provide public oversight.