Lexington County Council Abandons Controversial Trash and Road Fee Proposals
Lexington, SC – In a surprising turn of events, the Lexington County Council has decided to abandon two key ordinances aimed at addressing community needs related to trash collection and road maintenance. This decision comes on the heels of significant pushback from local residents who were understandably concerned about the implications of these proposals. The council took a vote on November 12, choosing to postpone both ordinances indefinitely.
The council’s proposed measures had been introduced to tackle the pressing challenges arising from a steady increase in the county’s population over recent years. As it stands, there are over 290,000 vehicles registered in Lexington County. A new annual vehicle fee of $30 was expected to generate around $8.7 million each year for maintaining the roads. However, during the meeting, District One Councilman Scott Whetstone voiced concerns, stating, “The money that it is going to bring in is really not enough to make any significant difference.”
Looking for Alternatives
Despite the county’s pressing needs, the proposed vehicle fee is hardly a new idea, as the county is also considering introducing a penny tax on the ballot for 2026. This tax would increase the county’s sales tax by 1 percent. Interestingly, voters have already rejected this proposal twice, in 2014 and 2022. The last attempt at this tax could have generated over $500 million in revenue, slated for infrastructure improvements, but ultimately met with disapproval.
A public hearing was held earlier on October 22, where residents took the opportunity to express their frustrations. Many community members called for the council to find alternative funding solutions for road improvements instead of imposing new fees.
Trash Collection Concerns
Another significant aspect of the ordinances was a proposal to mandate countywide trash collection. Currently, about 39,200 out of roughly 110,400 households in Lexington County are subscribed to a trash pickup service. The idea had been to unify trash collection across all areas, especially to serve the rural parts of the county better.
However, many council members representing rural areas pointed out constituent concerns regarding this proposal. Rural residents often deal with long driveways and dirt roads, which complicates the logistics of standard trash collection. Instead of relying on county services, they prefer to take their waste to one of the county’s 11 waste collection centers, which provide a free service.
A pressing statement from Councilmember Todd Cullum reflected the sentiments of his constituents: “Operationally, I think it’s almost impossible for you to do it in the rural areas.” This statement echoed a common theme of the council’s discussions, balancing the needs of urban versus rural populations in a growing county.
Community Engagement
Despite the controversies surrounding these measures, it’s evident that the Lexington County community is actively engaged and willing to voice their opinions. The council’s decision to put the brakes on the ordinances shows their willingness to listen to their constituents while searching for more sustainable and effective solutions to pressing community issues.
As Lexington County continues to grow, the need for a solid plan addressing both trash collection and road maintenance remains. It will be interesting to see how the council moves forward from here, navigating the fine line between funding needs and community concerns.
For residents concerned about their local government and the changes on the horizon, it’s crucial to stay informed and engaged. After all, every voice counts in shaping the future of Lexington County!
