Special Called Meetings, Boards and Commission appointments, New info on Penny Sales Tax, and Councilman’s Corner (Speed Humps)
Councilman Blount’s Newsletter 10-28-24
I hope you all have had a blessed week and that the upcoming will be even more positive for you and your families. This newsletter was my attempt to force another layer of transparency into the fold of Greenville County Government. Less than a few months in, there are almost 2,000 subscribers to the newsletter—not only from District 19, but all over Greenville County! So, to everyone reading this, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the increasing interest and engagement in our local political landscape. Your voices and actions matter more than ever as we approach significant council meetings. Together, we can shape the future of our County, ensuring that decisions made today reflect the values and needs of all our residents. I invite you to join us in these discussions, whether through livestreams or by sharing your thoughts and concerns directly with our offices.
No matter what you have heard, you truly do have the power to make a difference!
Upcoming Council Meetings: Board and Commission Interviews October 28 - November 1, 2024
Monday, October 28, 5:00 PM:
Planning and Development Committee - Special Called Meeting. Livestream
Tuesday, October 29, 5:00 PM:
Special Called Committee of the Whole. Livestream
Wednesday, October 30, 5:00 PM:
Special Called Committee of the Whole. Livestream
On Monday, Planning and Development will be voting on the Unified Development Ordinance, which is being shoved through before the end of the year. To read more of my thoughts on this ordinance—also known as the “UDO”, see my recent newsletters addressing concerns over what has transpired concerning this ordinance. You can read one of those here: UDO Concerns
The UDO could forever shape the future of Greenville County’s Development, so I encourage you to see what it means for you and your area of Greenville County.
Lawsuit filed - Penny Sales Tax
In my recent review of public concerns surrounding the proposed penny sales tax, I have learned of a newly filed lawsuit against the County regarding this ballot proposal. To be clear, I had no prior knowledge of its existence and have no involvement in this lawsuit. I was not contacted about it before it was filed, and have not been contacted about it since it was filed. I was simply made aware over the weekend that it had been filed!
The scariest part of all this is that the points raised in the lawsuit align closely with many concerns I’ve previously voiced:
One troubling issue is the questionable ballot language. The lawsuit highlights how the ballot lists only a small subset of the proposed projects and vaguely references “other” projects, which could prevent voters from understanding the full scope of what their vote supports.
The complaint also raises concerns about public transparency. The plaintiffs argue that Greenville County did not provide adequate transparency or public input on the listed projects, claiming that critical decisions were made before the Tax Commission held any public meetings, thereby diminishing public oversight.
Delegation of authority is another serious point, as the lawsuit alleges that Greenville County officials directed the Tax Commission on project selection and ballot language instead of allowing the independent commission to make its own recommendations, as state law requires.
There are allegations of FOIA violations, with claims that the County failed to keep and disclose meeting minutes during public “open house” meetings, legally limiting the public’s right to know the basis of these decisions.
The complaint states that the ballot lacks cost estimates for individual projects and that the listed priorities are unclear, making it challenging for voters to understand what will be funded first.
This lawsuit does reinforce why I have repeatedly voiced reservations about the proposed penny sales tax. Given these issues, I believe it is critical that voters consider all aspects before making their choice. The public deserves full transparency on such a significant financial and civic matter, and this new legal challenge underscores that necessity.
Councilman’s Corner: The Challenges of Speed Humps
Due to the increased density and growth we have seen in Greenville, one of the most common requests I receive as a County Councilman is for speed humps to be installed in various neighborhoods to slow down traffic. However, there’s more complexity to these requests than meets the eye, and the process of approving speed humps is becoming increasingly challenging—both locally and nationally. Recent studies reveal that while speed humps may achieve the intended goal of slowing traffic, they can also introduce unintended safety, service, and logistical problems that are leading to more hesitation around their approval. I wanted to discuss this so that at least citizens understand the reasoning behind what may have been a different response from the County in the past.
Why Speed Humps Can Create More Issues Than Solutions
One of the most serious downsides to speed humps is their impact on emergency response times. Research from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows that each speed hump can add 8-10 seconds to a fire truck’s travel time. In situations where every second counts, this delay can be the difference between life and death. For emergency medical services (EMS), speed humps can also cause valuable delays in response, especially in areas with multiple humps.
Speed humps also put extra strain on vehicle suspensions, brakes, and tires—not just for residents and visitors, but for public service vehicles like school buses, garbage trucks, and mail delivery trucks. This can lead to increased maintenance costs and reduced service efficiency, especially for large vehicles that travel the same route regularly.
Data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) suggests that while speed humps can slow traffic at specific points, they often don’t reduce overall speeds in an area. Drivers may simply speed up between humps, leading to inconsistent speeds that don’t necessarily create safer neighborhoods.
5 Alternative Approaches to Improve Neighborhood Safety
Given the challenges associated with speed humps, I wanted to mention five alternative approaches that can help address traffic concerns without these unintended downsides of speed humps:
Radar speed signs are electronic signs that flash a driver’s speed to make them aware when they’re going too fast. Studies have shown that radar speed signs can reduce speeds by 5-10% in neighborhoods and have a sustained effect as drivers are regularly reminded of the speed limit.
Narrower road designs, created by adding curb extensions, bike lanes, or landscaped medians, encourage drivers to slow down naturally. These road modifications do not impact emergency response times and help keep speeds consistent.
Raised pedestrian crossings are smoother than traditional speed humps, making it easier for larger vehicles and emergency vehicles to navigate. Raised crosswalks can also improve pedestrian safety near schools, parks, and other high-foot-traffic areas.
Traffic circles or roundabouts create gentle curves at intersections, forcing drivers to slow down without causing abrupt stops. They’re effective in reducing accidents and tend to improve traffic flow, benefiting both everyday drivers and emergency vehicles.
Increased law enforcement and neighborhood watch programs allow for regular traffic enforcement, especially during peak hours, to help deter habitual speeders. Neighborhood watch programs allow residents to collaborate with law enforcement, fostering a shared commitment to safety and accountability.
How You Can Help Advocate for Change
If you’re concerned about speeding in your area, consider advocating for these alternatives. Start by reaching out to the county with specific information about problem areas and peak traffic times. You can contact my office directly bblount@greenvillecounty.org, or you may also reach out to the Greenville County Public Works Department at pworks@greenvillecounty.org and the Greenville County Planning and Development Department at planning@greenvillecounty.org to explore options.
Working together, we can improve the safety and livability of Greenville County neighborhoods—without compromising essential services.
In closing, I want to emphasize that our progress as a County relies on the active participation of every citizen. Your involvement is crucial as we navigate important issues like the Unified Development Ordinance and the proposed sales tax that many of you are currently early voting on.
I stand committed to transparency and collaboration, and I genuinely appreciate your dedication to making Greenville County a better place for all. Let us continue to work together to foster a vibrant and inclusive community, where every voice is heard and valued. - BBD19
I planned on refraining from commenting today but the speed hump topic made that impossible. 🤠
A year or two ago a school teacher was killed where Swamp Rabbit crosses Sulfur Springs Rd. She was riding a bike, and stopped to wait for the light to change, to enable people to cross the road. Apparently when the light changed she failed to do what every child, in my day any way, was taught to do, look both ways before she crossed the street. Unfortunately a driver ignored the light change and hit and killed her.
I bring this up to highlight an obvious point that seems to not be obvious to many. Roads are constructed for motor vehicles, they are the only place such vehicles can go. Vehicles are heavy pieces of equipment moving at relatively high speeds yet these days vehicles are treated like second class citizens compared to pedestrians; who can stop and start on a dime.
Why not use a little common sense and instead of requiring vehicles to yield to pedestrians, require pedestrians to yield to vehicles? If that teacher had acknowledged the reason the road was there she would not have been killed that sad day.
I tremendously dislike speed humps!!