CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) - Charleston County Council may potentially bring back the half-cent sales tax on the 2026 ballot.
In a special county council workshop, leaders discussed the transportation sales tax. Chernoff Newman is working with county staff to create a new phased plan focusing on "building trust and improving public awareness." They would also help shape the new sales tax if council wishes to do so. Representatives from the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments and FIRE consulting also came in to help map out the priorities for the next 25 years.
"Whether you're here in West Ashley, North Charleston, or Mount Pleasant that everyone feels they've had a voice in what they will ultimately be voting on and that they've had that back and forth dialogue to understand and have input in that process," Ryan Brown, vice president of public affairs at Chernoff Newman, said.
Some key topics that council spoke about included improving roadways, safety, public transit, and greenbelt programs. This is similar to what the members have focused on in the past. Former South Carolina Department of Transportation secretary, Christy Hall, facilitated this conservation. Council member Jenny Costa Honeycutt, who represents District 9, said there are some high-profile projects they hope to get done soon.
"Highway 41, we need to get that one complete. There's been a lot of discussion back and forth in the community in that area. Then, there's just a bunch of little projects, on James Island we've got Central Park and Fort Johnson that's really on the table," Honeycutt said. "As far as future projects go, that is the discussion to have with our community to engage in a transparent process."
Leaders are also considering a half-cent sales tax to fund the projects on the 2026 ballot. In 2024, the referendum failed to pass. However, with the current sales tax set to expire, some council members said they believe another one is necessary to complete future projects.
"Well, the most important thing about the referendum currently is that we would be re-upping an existing tax, that is renewing a program that is already existing. If the program ends, we would actually have to raise the tax again," Honeycutt said. "Voters are usually not inclined to raise taxes but more in line to keep the current program they're already involved in, if they feel that program is yielding success they want to see from their government."
Other suggestions made by council members to improve quality of life and traffic included widening lanes, roundabouts, and ensuring accessibility to public transit. Council member Joe Boykin gave an update, saying the Maybank Highway project is in its final design phase.
County council voted to approve a motion that requests an analysis and data report to be completed in the 60 days. It is expected to help them create a plan if they choose to create a new half-cent sales tax.