RICHLAND COUNTY, SC — Richland County revived a two-year-old discussion Tuesday on tax districts that could fund $110 million in city projects.

The preliminary vote was done without delving into details of projects within the Renaissance and Innovista tax districts. Two more votes would be required for passage, plus votes in support by the Richland 1 school board and Columbia City Council.

"With the citizens approving the penny sales tax, I think this is over-reaching," Councilman Seth Rose said, referring to passage of the transportation sales tax Nov. 6.

The TIF districts would devote most new property-tax revenues in the two areas to revitalization projects over a 15-year period, the Renaissance TIF to the old State Hospital property on Bull Street and in north Columbia; and the Innovista TIF on the university’s riverfront research park.

-- Dawn Hinshaw