Council Gives Initial Ok to Roads Referendum
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The Anderson County Council on Tuesday unanimously advanced a proposal to put a one-penny capital sales tax referendum before voters in November, signaling a significant move toward addressing the county's long-standing road infrastructure woes. The council gave its initial stamp of approval to both a prioritized list of road projects and the specific wording for the referendum. Two additional votes by the council are required before the measure is officially placed on the November 4 ballot.
The proposed sales tax, if approved by voters, would be dedicated exclusively to funding repairs and maintenance for Anderson County's 1,554 miles of roads and 162 bridges. It would be levied for an eight-year period, after which its continuation would require another voter referendum.
"High traffic volume roads were given priority for safety reasons and capacity," noted Deputy Anderson County Administrator Matt Hogan, explaining the criteria behind the project list submitted by the Anderson County Capital Sales Tax Commission.
The commission submitted both the proposed roads list from both county and municipal roads as well as the referendum wording for council approval. These proposals must pass their remaining two readings by August 15 to meet the deadline for inclusion on the November ballot.
"We have 1,553 miles of county roads, and we have to adopt roads in new subdivisions, so we are growing in roads," stated Councilman Jimmy Davis, emphasizing the increasing challenge. He highlighted the disparity in current funding, breaking down how every dollar of county tax money is spent: Schools (79 percent), public safety (14 cents on the dollar), and general operations like magistrature and clerks' court (13 cents), only 3 cents on the dollar remains for roads, bridges, and solid waste. "We have wonderful schools, a fantastic sheriff's office, and the best emergency department in the Southeast," Davis said, "But we have to find a way to fund roads."
Proposed Tax Details and Impact
The proposed one-penny sales tax is estimated to generate approximately $350 million over its eight-year lifespan. Councilman Brett Sanders noted a significant benefit: "35 percent of this amount would be paid by those visiting Anderson County," meaning an estimated $128 million would come from non-residents.
Councilman Chris Sullivan clarified common misconceptions about the tax. "There is no county sales tax money for roads [currently]," Sullivan said, explaining that the proposed tax would be distinct, pointing out key exemptions: unprepared food (which is most groceries), gasoline, and prescription medication.
The tax, if approved, would not take effect until May 1 of next year.
To kickstart projects, Hogan indicated that a "$20 million bond will get us started" earlier than if they waited for sales tax revenues to fully accrue.
Current Road Conditions and Future Outlook
The urgency for new funding is underscored by the current state of the county's infrastructure. Anderson County currently allocates about $800,000 for asphalt and potholes. While the $.28 South Carolina Gasoline Tax brings in around $8 million annually for the county, with 3.99 cents per gallon specifically designated for "C-Funds" (which provided $8.9 million in 2023-24), this is only enough to pave about nine miles of roads annually if completely distributed in a single year, which is not the case.
A detailed evaluation of the county’s 1,554 miles of roads completed in June 2023 by the Roadway Asset Services (RAS) group found that "more than a third of all roads are already in poor or failing condition," requiring an estimated $1 million per mile to remedy. Alarmingly, one-third of the county's bridges cannot be used by firetrucks or school buses due to their age or structural concerns. These deteriorating conditions contribute to safety issues, with poor roads implicated in numerous vehicle accidents, injuries, and deaths each year.
National studies suggest that well-maintained roads offer significant savings for drivers, and estimated a savings of an average of $591 annually per driver in avoided repairs. Properly maintained infrastructure is also considered crucial for the county’s future economic development, as companies weigh road conditions when scouting locations.
Council members argue that a one-penny sales tax would not impose a significant financial burden on citizens. If the November measure fails, the county faces a continuation of the "patch-and-save" method, with a $350 million backlog of critical work and no sustainable funding source in sight, a situation exacerbated by last year’s hurricane damage.
Other Council Business
In other matters, the council also approved, on first reading, a new two-year lease for the Anderson Visitors Bureau at its current location in the Anderson Arts Center, as the previous 20-year lease had expired earlier this year. Rent on the location will be $34,500 annually.
