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Consultants outline Jasper County transportation sales-tax program, $470 million projection
Summary
Jasper County consultants from ICE briefed the board on governance, funding rules and the two top priorities funded by the transportation sales-tax referendum: Argent Boulevard and US 278. The program is projected to run 15 years and bring in about $470 million.
Consultants from Infrastructure Consulting and Engineering (ICE) told the board the transportation sales-tax program established by referendum was designed to run 15 years and is projected to generate about $470,000,000 in total revenues.
"The program was set up in the referendum to run 15 years, and the projection was to bring in $470,000,000 total," said Jeff Buckalew, senior project manager for ICE, who said the referendum requires that 80% of proceeds be spent on transportation projects and 20% on greenbelt initiatives. Buckalew said County Council remains the ultimate authority for the program and that a three-person oversight committee—county council chairperson, the Hardeeville mayor and the Ridgeland mayor—receives monthly status reports.
Buckalew said ICE is managing planning work for Jasper County and will advance 30% design plans, coordinate with SCDOT and handle public outreach. He also said the county has bonding capacity written into the referendum and may consider bonding up to $150,000,000 in the future to accelerate construction, but that repayment and fiscal feasibility remain under review.
