By Terry Ward
The Lexington County Capital Project Sales Tax Ordinance will be on the General Elections’ ballot in November. Lexington County voters will choose whether the Capital Project Sales Tax will be applied.
If approved by the voters, the Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST) will impose a one percent sales and use tax, with all of the proceeds funding road infrastructure improvement projects across Lexington County. The CPST will remain in effect for eight years if approved by the voters.
Tuesday, at the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber Breakfast, Chamber Board member Thomas Tafel announced that the Chamber Board endorses the penny sales tax.
“It’s important because of the impact it will have on our local business members,” Tafel said.
Before the endorsement was announced, Lexington County Administrator Lynn Sturkie reported that the tax, if approved, is projected to generate $536 million. All of the funds raised would go to roads improvement. He also said 20-to-45 percent of the tax would be collected from out-of-county consumers.
West Columbia City Councilman David Moye was at the breakfast and said he supports the tax. Moye said a project that would improve Meeting Street safety is ranked high on the list. There are also many other Cayce and West Columbia road and intersection improvements on the list to be addressed.
Kyle Clampett, of Alliance Engineering, said the on the first projects work would begin in May if the measure is approved.
