Charleston County Council passes first reading of 2026 transportation sales tax ordinance
May 28, 2026
Public Hearing set for Thursday, June 11
Charleston County Council has approved the first of three readings of the proposed 2026 Transportation Sales Tax (TST) referendum, advancing the measure to the next stage of the public approval process ahead of a potential countywide vote in November.
County Council will hold a public hearing during their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 6:30 p.m., to provide residents with an additional opportunity to review the proposed program and offer feedback before additional readings are considered. Council may make amendments to the ordinance at any point up to third reading.
The proposed referendum would continue the existing 2004 half-cent transportation sales tax once collections are complete, which is projected to occur in 2027. Over its 25-year lifespan, the program is projected to generate approximately $4.25 billion for transportation and greenspace investments across Charleston County. The proposed funding allocations include:
- $2.7 billion (63.52%) to Roadway Infrastructure
- $860 million (20.24%) to Public Transit
- $690 million (16.24%) to the Greenbelt Program
The proposal follows months of public engagement and planning led by County Council and staff. Since the process began, the county has hosted nearly 80 community meetings and presentations and collected thousands of public comments and project requests from residents across Charleston County.
“This proposal represents months of public engagement, collaboration, and careful planning centered on the needs of Charleston County residents,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Joe Boykin. “From traffic congestion and roadway safety to transit, resiliency, and greenspace preservation, the 2026 TST is designed to address the challenges our community is facing today while preparing responsibly for the future. As this process moves forward, I encourage residents to stay engaged, review the proposed program, and continue sharing feedback with County Council.”
The program is grounded in County Council’s adopted guiding principles, which focus on completing priority projects, reducing congestion and improving safety, expanding multimodal options, preserving quality of life through strategic Greenbelt investments, strengthening infrastructure resilience, and maintaining transparency and accountability.
Residents are encouraged to review the proposed program, project information, and public engagement materials at CharlestonTransportation.com.
Additional details regarding the June 11 public hearing, including time and location, will be posted through official Charleston County channels.
