Greenville County Council Approves Transportation Sales Tax Referendum for November Ballot

Greenville County voters will once again have the final say on funding local infrastructure repairs. Following an intense debate on Tuesday night, the Greenville County Council voted to officially place a one-cent transportation sales tax referendum on the upcoming November general election ballot.

If approved by voters on November 3, the proposed sales tax would remain in place for up to eight years, generating an estimated $1.1 billion to tackle the county’s growing backlog of road, bridge, and infrastructure repairs.

Where Will the Money Go?

The ordinance strictly dictates how the projected $1.1 billion in revenue will be allocated across local transportation and infrastructure needs over the eight-year period:

• 90% ($990 Million) — Roads & Bridges: The vast majority of funds will be dedicated directly to repaving, resurfacing, bridge replacements, intersection improvements, and traffic congestion relief projects across the county.

• 7% ($77 Million) — Greenbelts & Conservation: Dedicated toward land preservation, greenway expansion, and public park initiatives.

• 3% ($33 Million) — Public Transit: Allocated to support Greenlink, the public transit system serving the Greenville metro area.

Essential items such as unprepared groceries, prescription medications, and gasoline remain exempt under state law from the proposed sales tax.

Addressing a Multi-Billion Dollar Road Backlog

The referendum represents the county’s third attempt in recent years to establish a dedicated local funding source for infrastructure. Officials estimate Greenville County faces a road maintenance shortfall exceeding $2 billion as rapid population growth continues to strain regional thoroughfares. A previous capital projects tax measure narrowly failed at the ballot box in 2024.