Greenville County voters turned down a proposed one‑cent local option sales tax on Nov. 3, with 51.5% voting “no.” County Council Chairman Benton Blount, who represents District 19, said the defeat stems from a lack of public understanding and lingering distrust of county officials.
Understanding the shortfall
Blount explained that many residents, especially those in the rural southern and northern parts of the county, do not grasp how far behind Greenville County is on road maintenance. “We have to do a better job of informing the public,” he said. “When I came onto council my goal was to reestablish that trust, and I knew that wasn’t going to be something that happened overnight.”
What the tax would have funded
The rejected measure, commonly called a “penny tax,” would have generated roughly $1.1 billion over eight years. The money was earmarked for roads, infrastructure, green space and related projects. A similar referendum was also rejected in 2024 by a comparable margin, indicating a pattern of voter skepticism.
Why the tax is not a simple reallocation
Blount stressed that the issue is not merely moving money from one department to another. “There’s a misunderstanding that the county can just move some stuff around and get things caught up,” he said. “It’s way more complicated than that.” The county currently faces a maintenance backlog estimated at $3 billion, with only $30‑$40 million a year available from existing funds.
Cities move ahead while the county stalls
Four cities within the county—Greenville, Mauldin, Simpsonville and Travelers Rest—successfully passed a one‑cent local option sales tax to address their own road and infrastructure needs. This was the first election in South Carolina that allowed cities to put such a question to voters, a change driven in part by Greenville County’s inability to approve a similar tax. The city of Greenville lobbied heavily for the new law.
Next steps for the county
With the referendum rejected, the county will have to rely on its existing budget, allocating between $30 million and $40 million annually toward the $3 billion backlog. Blount indicated that the council may consider redirecting some resources earmarked for road work to other pressing needs, such as public safety, to mitigate “unintended consequences” of the vote.
Council’s response to voter sentiment
“I think there are some unintended consequences to come out of the referendum, but at the end of the day I think it was the best thing to put it before voters and let them decide,” Blount said. He emphasized that the council will continue to seek ways to improve communication and rebuild trust, acknowledging that future funding proposals will need clearer explanations and stronger community outreach.
Implications for future funding
The repeated rejection of a penny tax highlights the challenge local officials face in securing voter approval for large‑scale infrastructure financing. County leaders will need to address the information gap and demonstrate tangible results to convince residents that additional taxes are necessary and will be used responsibly.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
