Proposed $25 road upkeep fee going nowhere in Lexington County

A proposed $25 annual fee Lexington County vehicle owners would pay for road upkeep went nowhere Tuesday.

The idea proved to be DOA as soon as County Public Works Director Wrenn Barrett outlined it to County Council.

“I would think it’s not going anywhere,” Council Chairman Johnny Jeffcoat said.

The proposed fee is the latest attempt to generate more money for local road improvements

Its apparent rejection comes after voters trounced a penny-on-the-dollar sales tax plan for roads and other projects at a Nov. 4 referendum.

County leaders remain at a loss on how to get more money for significant road repairs.

“We’re going to do it with the funding in place and that’s real inadequate,” Jeffcoat said.

Barrett proposed the new fee as a way to double the approximately four miles of dirt roads paved annually as well as handle other minor projects.

It’s similar to the fee in 21 of South Carolina’s 46 counties, including the $20 charge in neighboring Richland County.

Barrett’s plan is estimated to produce $6.25 million a year, more than doubling current revenue for roads that comes mainly from fuel taxes.

The sales tax would have generated nearly $180 million for roads over eight years.

Some council members cling to hope for a second try at the penny tax in the future, with a revised plan that would be devoted solely to roads.

But putting a fee in place would mean “there’s no way to do both,” Councilman Jim Kinard said.

Others say the overwhelming rejection of the penny projects last fall is a strong anti-tax message.

“A fee is kind of tough to do even though I know we need it (more road money),” Councilman Bobby Keisler said.

Rejection of the penny tax continues to reverberate as council members put final touches on a $120 million spending plan for the year starting July 1.

The only tax increase under consideration is one for slightly more than $2 annually for fire protection. “Even that one is a maybe,” Jeffcoat said.

Meanwhile, council members agreed to explore ways to generate extra money for law enforcement.

Schools will be asked to chip in more of the $2.5 million price tag for 34 deputies who work as school resource officers.

Some council member want schools to pay three-fourths of the tab in proportion to time annually spent protecting classrooms, instead of the current 50-50 split.

“That funding formula needs some adjustment,” Councilman Todd Cullum said.

The spending plan taking shape adds 43 employees to the current staff of 1,500.

Nearly all the increase would be in public safety – 18 firefighters, 10 paramedics along with an ambulance and eight 911 dispatchers and call takers.

This story was originally published May 5, 2015 at 6:43 PM with the headline "Proposed $25 road upkeep fee going nowhere in Lexington County."