Continued Conversation: Greenville County Capitol Projects Sales Tax

Why the November vote is critical

In my previous newsletter, I laid out the reasons why I believe the Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST) is the wrong approach for Greenville County. With the November ballot approaching, it’s important to take a deeper look at why this tax will not serve our county’s long-term needs and how it burdens our citizens unnecessarily.

To quickly recap, the CPST puts too much power in the hands of a commission, removing direct input from citizens about which projects are prioritized. Cloaking that concept in poorly advertised and poorly attended week day public meetings doesn’t pass the test for accountability and transparency in my book! Furthermore, the tax funds a mix of projects, many of which are either not urgent or don’t directly benefit Greenville County residents. This includes repaving cul-de-sacs, state roads with no guaranteed reimbursement, and even restructuring/resurfacing roads that were paved just two years ago. These are not the issues citizens voice when they contact us about their concerns involving roads.

In the weeks since my initial newsletter, I’ve continued to discover additional reasons why the CPST is not only flawed, but could result in long-term financial burdens for taxpayers.

The State, Not Local Taxpayers, Should Cover the Costs of State Roads

More than 30% of the roads slated for funding under the CPST are owned by the state, but even worse, a majority of overall miles that would be paved are also State Roads. The maintenance of these roads is the state’s responsibility, yet this tax shifts that financial burden onto local taxpayers. What’s even more concerning is that there is no guarantee the state will reimburse us for the expenses. In other words, Greenville County could be paying for projects that the state should be covering, leaving local taxpayers on the hook for unnecessary costs.

To learn more about State vs County Roads, you can check out a past newsletter addressing it here: State vs County Roads

Some of my colleagues make the claim that you the citizen don’t care if it is a State or County road—as long as it gets paved. What say you?

Hidden Costs Will Lead to Future Attempted Tax Increases

The CPST requires the creation of new county departments to oversee the funded projects, but the sales tax itself cannot be used to pay for these new departments. That means the county will need to find the money elsewhere—most likely through future property tax increases. Greenville County residents have already faced rising taxes over the last two years, and this tax would add more pressure on property owners. If the county can find the money to fund this new department and its staff, why did they need to raise property taxes a short time ago?

Voting “NO”

Voting “No” on the CPST isn’t about rejecting progress or necessary improvements; it’s about choosing a better way forward. We all recognize the need for improvements in our infrastructure and public services, but the CPST is not the right solution.

Furthermore, there’s been no verified promise that voters will have access to a clear list of projects at the polling locations. This lack of transparency is deeply concerning. We shouldn’t be asked to approve a tax without knowing exactly what we’re paying for, and we should not play the part of political magicians—showing citizens the promise of full transparency before pulling a condensed cherry picked version out of the hat in November at the ballot box!

The Better Solution: A Transportation Sales Tax

As I’ve mentioned before, the Transportation Sales Tax is a much better alternative. Unlike the CPST, it focuses specifically on our most urgent needs—transportation infrastructure—and it allows for more direct citizen input on which projects are funded.

In future newsletters, I will lay out a detailed alternative plan that not only addresses our transportation needs but also includes other necessary improvements. This plan will prioritize transparency, citizen involvement, and fiscal responsibility. It will also incorporate solutions like impact fees and grant funding, which help offset the costs of growth without constantly raising taxes on homeowners. It also involves a deep dive into our County system to see exactly where your money is being spent. At the end of the day, reallocation of funds alone will not come close to addressing the much needed update of our road systems. What it does do is ensures that you have a Council that has properly vetted our own system and explored all other alternative funding options before coming back to tax payers with our hands out asking you for more!

By voting “No” on the CPST, we can pave the way for a smarter, more focused approach that ensures Greenville County’s future is built on citizen-driven decisions, not the dictates of a few.

Protecting Greenville County’s Future

As your elected representative, my goal is to find solutions that truly serve the best interests of Greenville County. The CPST may seem like a quick fix, but it’s a costly mistake that will leave our taxpayers footing the bill for years to come—on something that will likely not address the actual road concerns you have. Voting “No” gives us the chance to develop a better, more equitable solution—one that benefits everyone in our community without unfairly shifting the financial burden to local residents.

In the coming weeks, I will continue to share more information about this proposed sales tax BUT…..I will also outline a plan that prioritizes the needs of Greenville County and ensures that our tax dollars are spent wisely. I believe we can build a future that reflects the interests and priorities of our community—one that also doesn’t leave us paying for the state’s responsibilities.

Thank you for being involved and I look forward to working together on a better path forward for Greenville County. - BBD19