Lexington County Considers Tax for Roads

Lexington County voters could see a sales tax referendum for road improvements on the ballot as soon as 2014. 

Revenue from the penny-on-the-dollar tax increase would be used to upgrade heavily-traveled roads in the county, according to a report in The State. One of the first areas to benefit from the tax could be the bottlenecked roads in downtown Lexington and Red Bank.

Lexington County Council is considering the referendum after the legislature approved a measure allowing a group of counties to create a sales tax for capital-improvement projects, according to The State. The revenue from the tax could also be used for buildings, water supplies or parks, but leaders say roads are the priority for Lexington County.

With the financially-strapped S.C. Department of Transportation delaying several road work projects, county leaders are looking to other sources for funding.

“I’m encouraging a look at it,” Lexington Mayor Randy Halfacre told The State.

The tax would expire every seven or eight years unless renewed by voters.