Richland County shares important facts on 2024 Transportation Penny Referendum with residents of Elmwood, Forest Acres
September 12, 2024
Request a speaker at RichlandPenny.com
Earlier this week, both the Historic Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association and Forest Acres Town Council hosted meetings featuring a special presentation on the 2024 Richland County Transportation Penny Referendum. These events featured local leaders and community members gathering to learn about and discuss the County’s current and future transportation plans.
The presentations, given by Richland County Director of Public Works Michael Maloney, provided facts on the identified needs that would be funded by the 2024 Transportation Penny Referendum:
- Community investment, which impacts residents’ daily lives
- County advancement, which supports and sustains economic growth in the County
- COMET enhancement, which focuses on expansion and continuance of the County’s public transportation system
The referendum, which will be decided on Election Day, Nov. 5, is projected to raise $4.5 billion over the next 25 years, or until the maximum revenue is received, whichever comes first. If passed by voters, the 2024 Penny will serve as a continuation of the current 2012 Penny rather than an additional tax.
Attendees were presented with facts on the current Transportation Penny, which voters approved in 2012, as well as the priorities of the 2024 referendum, should residents decide it is necessary for the growth of the County.
The collaborative efforts of local leaders and community members reflect their shared commitment to transparency and accountability and help keep the public fully informed and engaged in the ongoing conversation about the future of transportation in Richland County.
For more information on the 2024 Richland County Transportation Penny Referendum and to request a speaker for an upcoming community event, please visit www.richlandpenny.com.
About the Richland County Transportation Penny
Passed in 2012, the Richland County Penny Tax Program funds road improvements, sidewalks, greenways, and The COMET transit system through a 1 percent sales tax. This November, Richland voters will decide the future of the Penny at the ballot box as part of the 2024 general election. The 2024 referendum asks voters whether the Penny program should continue once the current 2012 Penny is fully collected. With a projected $4.5 billion raised over the next 25 years, the 2024 referendum would fund community investment (48 percent), County advancement (30 percent), and COMET enhancement (22 percent), all without imposing a new tax.
To learn more about the 2024 Richland County Transportation Penny Tax referendum, visit www.richlandpenny.com.
