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2023 Capital Project Sales Tax Referendum
Facts & Figures
- Spartanburg County maintains more than 1,730 miles of roadway—which, if you stretched out in a straight line, would go from here to Arizona. SCDOT maintains more than 1,360 miles and the 14 municipalities maintain a combined 300+ miles. All together, that totals more than 3,400 miles of roadway within the county’s boundary (same distance from Spartanburg to Alaska).
- The county ranks the condition of its asphalt roadway network on a scale of 0-100, with 100 being a roadway in new condition. The average current condition of the county’s asphalt roadways is 57.5 out of 100, meaning our roads are in poor shape.
- We currently have a $500 million backlog as it relates to asphalt condition. Meaning it would take $500M—all being spent at one time—to bring all the county-maintained asphalt roads up to a brand-new condition. We need more than $35M annually just to maintain the current condition (57.5). We would need significantly more to improve the state of our roads.
- To put into perspective how expensive road projects can be, it typically costs around $1 million to pave and widen (to 24 ft) one mile of roadway; and it costs about $2.5 million to rebuild one mile of a County road (expand the road to 24’ and improve hills and curves).
- If the Capital Project Sales Tax Referendum passes, it is expected to generate $478M over the six-year period. At least 30% of the revenues would be collected by people who don't live in Spartanburg County, but come here to eat and shop. In other words, $163-186 million would come from visitors.
- If the 2023 Capital Project Sales Tax Referendum passes, unprepared foods (groceries) and prescription drugs (as well as certain medical supplies, such as diabetic therapies) would not be taxed.
- What is being proposed?
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The reimposition of the 1% capital project sales tax for road and transportation-related projects throughout the county selected by the capital project sales tax commission.
- What is the current condition of the roads maintained by the county.
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The county ranks the condition of its asphalt roadway network on a scale of 0-100, with 100 being a roadway in new condition. The current average condition of all the county’s asphalt roadways is approximately 57.5.
- When does the current capital project sales tax end?
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The current capital project sales tax for the courthouse and city/county projects ends on April 30, 2024.
- When would the proposed capital project sales tax take effect and how long would it last?
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If passed, the proposed capital project sales tax would take effect on May, 1, 2024 and last for a period of 6 years ending on April 30, 2030.
- How much revenue is expected to be generated?
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South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs has estimated that the proposed capital project sales tax would generate approximately $478 million over the 6-year period.
It is estimated that at least 30% of the revenues will be collected from consumers that are not residents of Spartanburg County.
- What projects are being proposed?
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Road and transportation-related projects only. A complete list of projects can be found here. To see a map of the proposed projects, click here.
- Why are these projects proposed?
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The proposed projects have the highest traffic volume and poorest condition of all roads in the county that are not scheduled be addressed by SCDOT in the next six years (unless the capital project sales tax passes). The county currently lacks other resources to address them.
- Are the sales tax funds restricted to these purposes?
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Yes. They are restricted by law to the list available at the link above.
- When can I vote?
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November 7, 2023
- We have a Capital Project Sales Tax Referendum in place now that was approved by Spartanburg County voters in 2017. As promised, funds have been used specifically for a new Courthouse, Police Station, Emergency Operations Center and, soon, a Joint Government Complex (first of its kind in the state). As stated in the 2017 Referendum, any funds remaining after construction of those four projects would go to road improvement projects.
- Essentially, the 2023 Capital Project Sales Tax would replace the current one, if the Referendum passes, meaning there is no new tax. It's a tax that's been in place over the past almost six years. In other words, if the 2023 Referendum is approved, the overall sales tax would remain unchanged. To see the progress of the Capital Project Sales Tax that is currently in effect, please click here .