State audit confirms strong financial controls in Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax program

Charleston County’s Transportation Sales Tax Program has been found in compliance with state law following a scheduled audit by the South Carolina Department of Revenue, county leaders announced today. The full audit report is attached.

The audit examined the collection and use of transportation sales tax revenues over a five-year period, from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2024. During that time, Charleston County collected $767,078,714 in transportation sales tax revenue. 

Of the more than 13,500 individual transactions reviewed, just eight expenditures – totaling $615.43 or .0000008% – were identified as non-qualifying. Those funds were promptly reimbursed to the Transportation Sales Tax account during the audit process.

“This audit confirms the strength of the internal controls we have in place and the care with which this program is managed day-to-day,” said Charleston County Administrator Bill Tuten. “I’m grateful to our staff for their diligence, professionalism, and attention to detail throughout the audit process, and for the excellent work they do to ensure these funds are administered effectively and responsibly on behalf of our citizens.”

 “Voters approved the Transportation Sales Tax with the expectation that it would be managed transparently and responsibly, and that their trust would be honored through careful stewardship of those dollars,” said Charleston County Council Chairman Kylon Middleton. “This independent audit affirms that trust and allows us to remain focused on delivering the infrastructure improvements our residents were promised.”