Transportation Sales Tax Special Committee begins work, seeks community input on future investments

Charleston County Council has launched a new public input process to help shape the future of local transportation and green space. September 24, the Council’s newly formed Transportation Sales Tax (TST) Committee voted to initiate a transparent, community-driven effort to guide consideration of a potential extension of the county’s half-cent Transportation Sales Tax.

The existing program has funded major roads, transit, and green space improvements throughout its two-decade history. As the region continues to grow, the TST Committee is considering how to invest in the next 25 years. The community’s input will be the guiding force as that process unfolds.

“This is just the start of the conversation,” said County Council Chairman Kylon Middleton. “We want to hear directly from our citizens about their priorities, what may be missing from the existing program, and which projects matter most to them moving forward.”

Council is now reviewing a draft proposal that outlines investment categories based on an estimated $4.25 billion in sales tax funding collected over a period of 25 years. Early ideas include:

• Roads: Paving, safety upgrades at intersections and in rural areas, fixing bottlenecks.
• Transit: Expanding bus service and the Lowcountry Rapid Transit.
• Greenbelt: Preserving parks and open spaces.
• Biking & Walking: Sidewalks, bike lanes, safer crossings.

Combined, the 2004 and 2016 Transportation Sales Taxes have been composed of 62 percent infrastructure (including bike and pedestrian), 25 percent public transit, and 13 percent greenbelt funding.

Over the coming months, county leaders will be listening to the public through public meetings, stakeholder sessions, and feedback collected through an online survey. Councilmembers will review all feedback collected and use it to guide their decision-making.

Details on how the public and stakeholders can get involved are forthcoming and will be made available on the charlestontransportation.com website.

County Council began this process by asking for a thorough analysis of the previous sales taxes. Through a report delivered to council earlier this month, $4.56 billion in community infrastructure investments since 2004 were identified. 48 percent of that total came from visitors and federal sources, amplifying the local investment. This funding supported hundreds of miles of resurfaced roads, new transit options, and key projects across the county.