Here’s a recap of Greenville County Council’s July 16 meeting:
Approved: Public hearing on $70 million arena district bond issue
On an 8-4 vote, council adopted a resolution scheduling a public hearing Aug. 20 to gather public input on a proposal to authorize the Greenville Arena District to issue up to $70 million in general obligation bonds for renovating the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
During the public comments section at the beginning of the meeting, 10 area residents spoke on the arena bond issue, only one of whom expressed opposition.
The majority of those addressing council spoke in favor of arena renovations. Many said they worked in various jobs supporting arena shows and cited the positive economic impact those shows and the arena have on Greenville County.
Approved: Second reading of capital projects sales tax measure
Council approved second reading of a local penny sales tax measure with an 8-4 vote after a protracted public hearing in which residents expressed both support and opposition to the proposal.
The ordinance would impose a Capital Projects penny sales tax to cover road maintenance and repair projects if county voters approve such a tax through a referendum in this November’s general election.
A third and final reading of the ordinance is required before the Aug. 15 deadline to get the penny tax question on November’s ballot for voters to decide.
Such a tax is projected to raise about $1 billion for roads during the eight years the ordinance would authorize it to be levied. That period is the maximum allowed under state law. Also, under state law, a capital projects sales tax can not be levied on groceries, prescription medicines or gasoline.
A roughly even number of residents spoke in favor of and against the measure.
Those supporting the tax cited the lack of alternative funding for road repairs and the mounting expense of those repairs a delay in funding would cause.
Those speaking against the measure feared it would put an undue financial burden on many of the county’s residents. Many also suggested more road funding could be found through better management of the county’s budget and that county money should only be spent on repairing county-owned roads.
Voters can access information about the capital projects sales tax and the proposed projects it would fund by visiting greenvillecountyroads.com.
