Referendum FAQ

What is Greenville County’s Penny Sales Tax referendum?
The referendum would fund road improvements to resolve Greenville County’s transportation challenge. If approved, the tax lasts for 8 years, with the intention of raising an estimated $130 million per year. By law, all money raised with the Greenville County's Penny Sales Tax will go to local road and bridge improvements and repairs. The Penny Sales Tax would not include unprepared food, prescriptions, or gas.

Why is a Penny Sales Tax included on the November 2024 ballot?
​Greenville County faces a transportation challenge because of the inadequate condition and capacity of its present road network, which if left unresolved may not bode well for the future of a growing community. During a countywide infrastructure inventory and assessment, it was found that 60% of pavement in Greenville County is in fair or poor condition, that 75% of pavement on arterial (major streets of highest mobility & speed) and collector (corridors between arterial streets) roads is in fair or poor condition, and 15% of state and county owned bridges in Greenville County are restricted or closed. It was concluded $2 billion was required to resolve this transportation challenge, therefore after much process the county council voted “yes” to put the 1 cent sales tax on the November 2024 ballot. 

How are the priority projects decided on and by whom are they decided?
Greenville County staff collaborated with SCDOT, mayors, and administrators of six municipalities to prioritize projects for the Penny Sales Tax. A six-member commission, including Ray Lattimore, Hunter Howard, Gaye Garrison Sprague, Keith Smith, Thomas Epting, and Lisa H. Stevens reviewed and amended the list. The list which is now of part of official ordinance cannot and will not change. Projects focus on road improvement, intersection upgrades, safety, congestion relief, and bridge/road drainage.

What roads in Greer are on the priority list?
The mentioned projects will affect various roads in the Greer area including Devenger Road from Hudson Road to South Batesville Road, Groce Meadow Road from Milford Church Road to Mountain View Road, Memorial Drive Extension from Whitfield Way to West Poinsett Street, Arlington Avenue and North Line Street, Gibbs Shoals Road and Dillard Road, Locust Hill Road, Lynn Road, Waters Road, Milford Church Road and SC 101.

How will the question on the ballot read & where do I learn more?
The exact question to look for on the ballot is, “Must a special one percent sales and use tax be imposed in Greenville County for not more than 8 years to raise the amounts specified for the following purposes?” To learn more before the November 5th 2024 vote you can visit greenvillecountyroads.com.

Click Here to download the Referendum FAQ sheet.