Opposing the Greenville County Capitol Project Sales Tax (CPST)

Advocating for a Better Approach to Greenville’s Future

As a member of the Greenville County Council, my top priority is ensuring that the decisions we make genuinely reflect the interests of our citizens. With the Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST) on the ballot this November, we face a pivotal decision that will significantly impact our county’s future. While the CPST might seem like a solution to our infrastructure and public service challenges, it’s not the right approach for Greenville County.

Instead, I believe we should have pursued the Transportation Sales Tax—a proposal that was much more aligned with the needs of our residents. Voting down the CPST in November will give us the opportunity to develop a future plan that truly empowers the people of Greenville County. I wish I had the opportunity to work through these topics with my colleagues, but they had made their decision prior to Council meeting about it publicly, so I will instead publicly share my thoughts with all of you.

The CPST vs. The Transportation Sales Tax: What’s the Difference?

On the surface, the CPST might appear to be a straightforward way to fund necessary projects across Greenville County. However, it’s important to recognize that the CPST represents a broad, one-size-fits-all solution that doesn’t allow for the flexibility and responsiveness that our county’s diverse communities require. The Transportation Sales Tax, by contrast, was designed with a more focused approach, addressing one of our most pressing issues: transportation infrastructure.

Flexibility: The Transportation Sales Tax was structured to be highly customizable, allowing citizens to have a direct say in which transportation projects were prioritized. This meant that the most critical needs, like fixing hazardous intersections, expanding public transit, or repairing deteriorating roads, would be addressed first. The CPST, however, lumps resources into a wide array of projects—many of which might not align with the immediate needs of our residents.

Citizen Input: The Transportation Sales Tax was developed with extensive input from the people of Greenville County. Through consultations with residents, community leaders, and transportation experts, we aimed to ensure that the proposed projects reflected the specific challenges our county faces. In contrast, the CPST transfers decision-making power away from the people, handing it over to a small commission. This commission decides which projects receive funding, effectively stripping citizens of their ability to influence how their tax dollars are spent.

The Commission’s Role: A Flawed Process

One of the most concerning aspects of the CPST is the role of the commission in deciding which projects will be funded. Proponents of the CPST argue that the commission provides an objective, streamlined approach to selecting projects, but the reality is that it removes decision-making from the people. The commission, composed of appointed individuals who may not fully understand the needs of every community within Greenville County, is granted broad authority to determine which projects are prioritized.

This approach not only reduces transparency but also risks funding projects that do not address the most pressing concerns of our citizens. The Transportation Sales Tax, by comparison, was built on citizen input and local expertise, ensuring that our projects were guided by those who know our communities best.

Addressing Concerns About the Transportation Sales Tax

Critics of the Transportation Sales Tax have argued that it would have included taxes on essential items like gas and groceries, which would have disproportionately impacted lower-income residents. However, it’s important to note that recent legislation in South Carolina now allows these essential items to be excluded from sales taxes like this. This change means that we can pursue a Transportation Sales Tax without burdening residents with higher costs for necessities.

With this legislative change, the Transportation Sales Tax becomes an even more practical and fair solution for addressing our county’s infrastructure needs. It would allow us to fund critical transportation projects without placing additional financial pressure on families already grappling with rising costs.

Restoring Trust Before Implementing Any New Sales Tax

Before we even consider asking residents to support another sales tax, there are several critical steps we must take to rebuild trust. First, we need to conduct a thorough audit of all county departments. This audit will give us a clear understanding of our financial situation, highlighting any inefficiencies or areas where funds could be reallocated before turning to taxpayers for more money.

Next, we should explore all possible options for grants and other external funding sources. Federal, state, and private grants are available for many of the projects we need to undertake, and we must ensure that we’re not bypassing these opportunities in favor of imposing additional taxes on our residents.

Finally, we should implement impact fees to ensure that new developments contribute their fair share to the infrastructure costs associated with growth. By using impact fees, we can help offset the costs of growth and development, reducing the burden on our existing taxpayers.

Without taking these steps, asking Greenville County residents to support another sales tax is not only premature but also a breach of trust. Our citizens deserve to know that their government has thoroughly explored every possible funding option before turning to them for more money.

Why Voting Against the CPST Is the Right Decision

By voting against the CPST in November, we’re not rejecting the need for infrastructure improvements or public service enhancements. Instead, we’re rejecting a flawed process that takes power away from the people and places it in the hands of a commission that may not represent the diverse needs of our county.

Voting against the CPST opens the door for a renewed discussion about a better solution—one that involves the real experts: the citizens of Greenville County. A Transportation Sales Tax, or a similar measure focused on specific, high-priority areas, would ensure that our tax dollars are spent on projects that truly benefit our communities. It would allow us to craft a plan that is flexible, responsive, and reflective of the unique needs of each part of Greenville County.

The CPST might seem like a quick fix, but it’s a step in the wrong direction. We need a solution that empowers the people, not a commission. We need a plan that’s built on citizen input, not a citizen deaf Council. By voting against the CPST in November, we’re paving the way for a more democratic, citizen-driven approach to funding our county’s most critical needs. Let’s ensure that when it comes to Greenville County’s future, the voices of its citizens are heard loud and clear! - BBD19

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A constant and growing reminder until November about the Capitol Projects Sales Tax:

1. Over 30% of paving projects are CUL-DE-SACS.

2. Over 31% of the paving mileage are STATE ROADS.

3. Guarantee of reimbursement from the State = ZERO.

4. Resurfacing roads such as Salters Rd, that was built just over 2 YEARS AGO.

5. Handles road congestion by DECREASING lanes on Wade Hampton?

6. All items said to be on the ballot per Committee minutes = FALSE

7. Promise of having all projects provided at the polling locations = UNVERIFIED (and likely illegal)

8. It requires new County Budget line items to create a new department to handle the projects. The department CANNOT BE FUNDED WITH SALES TAX.

   ***That means they will have yet another reason for more future property tax increases. If not, how do they magically find the money, and if they can, why did they have to raise your taxes over the last two years?***

Sharing Councilman Blount’s Newsletter with everyone you can is one of the many ways you can fight the typical political/media medium used by the establishment.