Lexington County Eyes Penny Tax for 2026
In the bustling heart of Lexington County, discussions are heating up about the possibility of putting a penny tax on the ballot for 2026. Sounds intriguing, right? With the area experiencing rapid growth over the past decade, county leaders are exploring all options to keep up with infrastructure demands. Think of it as figuring out how to cook a big meal with only a few ingredients – tough, but necessary!
Why a Penny Tax?
The idea of a penny tax isn’t new to Lexington County residents, as voters have seen it before and turned it down in both 2014 and 2022. But here we are again, and this time, it all comes down to one important question: how do we fund the many projects that our growing community desperately needs? The penny tax would involve raising the sales tax by just 1 percent, a move that could generate some serious dough for the county—potentially hundreds of millions of dollars!
Back when it was proposed in 2022, the projected revenue over eight years hit more than $500 million. Just imagine what that kind of money could do for the roads and infrastructure here. With the county’s population growing from around 262,391 to 293,991 between 2010 and 2020, the strain on infrastructure is more apparent than ever.
What’s Next for the County Council?
During a [recent committee meeting](#), Vice Chairman of the County Council, Darrell Hudson, laid it all out. “It’s the only common-sense approach to fix our dilemma,” he said regarding the penny tax. And it certainly seems that way when you consider that surrounding counties have already jumped on the penny tax bandwagon. Meanwhile, Lexington County still grapples with approximately $500 million worth of critical road work needed over the next 10-15 years.
Besides the penny tax, the council is also looking into another possible measure: a $30 vehicle fee for all registered cars. They estimate that this fee could rake in about $8.7 million annually, which sounds pretty good until you realize it’s a “temporary fix” compared to the long-term gain a penny tax could offer. If voters choose to approve the penny tax in 2026, this vehicle fee would go away by the end of that same year.
Lessons from the Past
Let’s take a quick look back, shall we? The 2014 sales tax proposal included a host of projects—not just for road repairs but also for parks and sports facilities—and was met with an overwhelming rejection of 70 percent against it. Fast forward to 2022, and although the penny tax was exclusively focused on road improvements, it still got the boot at the polls, but only by a margin of about 54.64 percent to 45.36 percent. It’s clear that for whatever reason, voters have been hesitant when it comes to additional taxes.
What Happens Now?
Currently, steps are being taken to officially put the penny tax on the 2026 ballot by forming a commission and outlining the details regarding what projects this tax would fund. A public hearing regarding the vehicle fee ordinance is slated for October 22, which will hopefully shed more light on the county’s plans moving forward.
There’s a lot on the line, and with plenty of discussions ahead, it seems the county is eager to find a practical solution for its growing infrastructure challenges. Will the third time be the charm for the penny tax? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: Lexington County is determined to find a sustainable way to support its booming community. Stay tuned!
