Lexington County Considers New Vehicle Fee
LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. — If you’re a car owner in Lexington County, you might need to adjust your budget as a new annual fee is being proposed for vehicles. Starting in January, local council members are weighing the option of a potential $30 service charge on all registered vehicles. This could bring some changes to the way local roads and storm-water systems are maintained in the county. The proposal was a hot topic at the public hearing held on Tuesday evening at the Lexington County Administration Building where many residents voiced their thoughts.
Community Voices on the Proposed Fee
During the meeting, most attendees were against the proposed fee. One resident, Brent Munnerlyn, pointed out the unfair impact this fee could have on vulnerable members of the community. “This fee may seem small on paper, but its impact will be large and unfair, especially for those who are already struggling,” he emphasized.
Concerns over rising costs due to inflation and a lack of transparency regarding the current use of funds were also voiced. “We live in Lexington County. It is a rural county. How many people around here are farmers? Whether it’s crops or chickens,” said Anthony Rogers, echoing sentiments of many residents worried about the impact on local businesses.
Proposed Alternatives to the Fee
Some community members did not shy away from suggesting alternative solutions. For instance, resident Liesha Huffstetler proposed that a sliding scale could be implemented, where larger trucks used for heavy construction would pay the full fee, while owners of smaller vehicles could perhaps pay a reduced amount. “If there could be a sliding scale where the heavier equipment for builders, who have big trucks, would be charged maybe $30 and those of us with lighter, smaller cars be charged like maybe $15,” she suggested.
Supporters of the Fee Speak Up
However, not everyone is against the idea of the service charge. Some argued that with increasing growth in the area, it’s essential for the county to keep up with necessary infrastructure improvements. Brent Rewis, a retired SCDOT deputy secretary of planning, highlighted the steep costs involved in maintaining even a single intersection. “An intersection project today is going somewhere between $1.5 and $3 million for just one improvement, and we know we have those needs here in Lexington County,” he stated.
What’s Next for the County?
Council member Todd Cullum, representing District 9, laid out the options available: the failed penny tax, the proposed fee, or sticking with the status quo. “We just didn’t pull a number out of the air and say 30 sounds good or 10’s not enough,” he explained, emphasizing the need to generate meaningful revenue for maintenance and improvements.
If the fee moves forward, it is anticipated to go into effect in January 2025. The council’s next step is their upcoming meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 12. Cullum suggested that a vote on the vehicle fee could take place at that gathering, or likely before the end of the year.
According to officials, electronic comments on the proposal currently lean heavily against it, with 122 residents expressing their disapproval versus just two in favor of the fee.
As discussions continue, many in the community are watching closely, weighing the potential costs against the benefits of improved infrastructure. It’s clear that this is far from a done deal, and how it all unfolds will certainly be a topic of conversation in Lexington County.
