Lexington County Moves On from Controversial Road User Fee
Residents Breathe a Sigh of Relief as Fees Are Postponed
In a move that many residents of Lexington County welcomed, the county council decided to abandon plans for a proposed road user fee that would have hit car owners right in the pocket. The plan was to charge a $30 fee assessed on every resident’s annual vehicle tax—a way to chip in and help with the county’s growing road maintenance woes. However, after a public hearing showcased overwhelming opposition, it looks like that suggestion is off the table for the foreseeable future.
In a session on Tuesday, the council voted *unanimously* to kick this controversial plan to the curb. Councilman Scott Whetstone led the charge, stating, “My recommendation would be to postpone it indefinitely, and start marketing the penny tax for two years from now.” It seemed the dwindling enthusiasm for the user fee made it clear that residents preferred a different approach to generating funds for road repairs.
The Penny Tax: A New Hope for Road Repairs
So, what’s the plan now? The council isn’t completely waving the white flag; instead, they’re rallying behind another proposal aimed at funding road improvements through a penny sales tax. This new proposal would ideally make its way onto the ballot for voter approval in the 2026 elections. Last year, voters had already rejected a 1% sales tax for road maintenance, prompting the council to explore new ways to raise funds.
The plan is ambitious, aiming to raise approximately $500 million over the next eight years, which is obviously a significant jump compared to the $8 million the road user fee was projected to generate annually. With a loaded roadmap on the line, the council is all but ready to assemble a commission to evaluate potential projects for this future penny tax.
A Closer Look at Road Conditions
The need for change has never been more urgent. A recent study reported that 38% of the county’s roads are already in “fair” or “poor” condition. If no action is taken, it’s estimated that by the end of this decade, around 70% of the roads will fall into this category! Councilman Larry Brigham summed up the mounting pressure nicely by stating, “$8 million is not comparable to $58 million. It’s desperately needed if we’re going to do anything.”
Currently, the county is left to rely on state gas tax funds, a limited source that hardly makes a dent in the overall challenge. At this moment, the council has approved the spending of nearly $9.84 million from their gas tax allotment for this year, which will at best cover about eight miles of roadway improvements. Sightings on the project list include significant upgrades to Charter Oak Road and Longs Pond Road, with costs reaching over a million dollars for enhancements that impact just a short stretch of roadway.
A Community United Against Extra Fees
The vocal opposition from residents during the public hearing was a clear indication that an additional fee wasn’t something the community was willing to embrace. Attendees voiced concerns over fairness and legality, particularly in light of a 2021 state Supreme Court ruling that struck down a similar fee in nearby Greenville County. In that instance, the court clarified that government fees must provide specific benefits for the payer rather than a general service for the public.
With such community pushback, it’s hardly surprising that the council opted to separate itself from the unpopular fee proposal. Now they seem determined to focus efforts on getting the penny sales tax on the ballot in a couple of years, hoping voters see it as a better option for fixing roads that really need some TLC.
The Road Ahead
For Lexington County, it’s clear that road maintenance challenges are looming, and with a commitment to long-term solutions rather than quick fixes, the council is on a journey that everyone in the community will be keeping a close eye on. Whether through the penny tax or some other creative financing method, the hope is that the days of bumpy rides are numbered.
