Lexington County Residents Oppose New $30 Vehicle Registration Fee for Road Improvements

Lexington County Residents Speak Out Against Proposed Vehicle Registration Fee

On a sunny Tuesday evening in Lexington County, residents gathered to express their opinions about a proposed new $30 fee that County Council aims to add to vehicle registrations. This fee is intended to fund much-needed road improvements across the county, but the overwhelming sentiment from the crowd was clear: most people are not on board with this plan.

At the public hearing, nine speakers voiced their concerns against the proposed fee, which would impact all 300,000 registered vehicles in the county starting January 1st, pending final approval from the Council. In stark contrast, only one resident supported the idea. The mood reflected not only in the hearing room but also echoed across the internet, where the online responses were significantly lopsided: 122 against the fee compared to just two in favor.

A Growing Concern for Roads

But why such a strong opposition? The proposed road user fee stems from a troubling report: a 2023 study revealed that an alarming 38% of Lexington County’s roads are in “fair” or “poor” condition. Without immediate action, experts project that by the end of the decade, that number could soar to 70%. This new fee could bring in around $8 million a year, which many agree is just a small part of the funding necessary to address the staff’s findings.

Brent Rewis, a resident of Gilbert and former deputy secretary of planning at the S.C. Department of Transportation, was the only person who spoke in favor of the fee during the hearing. He explained just how costly road work can be, mentioning that it takes around $500,000 to resurface a single mile of road, while intersection improvements range from $1.5 million to $3 million.

Raising Questions About Fairness

While the necessity for road improvements is not up for debate, the fairness of the proposed fee is. Dan Hagan from Swansea argues that this proposal might violate state law, which prohibits local governments from imposing fees unless there is a direct benefit to the payers. “Let’s call this what it is: a tax,” Hagan stated. “This ordinance violates the law, and we will challenge it in court.”

Others in attendance floated alternative ideas. Some engaged community members suggested that the county might reconsider how it allocates its existing budget to cover road maintenance costs better. “Maybe you need an Elon Musk-type person to come in and help set priorities,” suggested John Campbell from Chapin.

Looking Ahead: A Possible Sales Tax

Interestingly enough, County officials did mention an alternative plan. The new fee could be phased out if voters approve a penny sales tax aimed at road improvements in the future. Previous attempts to get such a tax—one in 2014 and another in 2022—have not been successful, but officials are preparing to try again in 2026. They have already set up a special commission made up of local appointees to create a new project list for these potential tax initiatives.

As it stands, the only current funding source for road projects from the county is the gas tax money from the state, which is roughly $6 million annually, one-third of which must be spent on state-maintained roads. Given the rapid growth in Lexington County, many are left wondering how the roads will keep pace.

Preparing for the Future

Rewis noted that as more people continue to move into the area, the pressure on the existing road infrastructure will only increase. He stressed, “Growing up here, I’ve seen the growth. It’s coming whether you want it or not.” With the South Carolina Department of Transportation managing 40,000 miles of roadways, Rewis doubts their ability to respond to all of the growing needs adequately.

The conversation around this proposed fee, and how to finance road improvements in Lexington County, continues. As residents weigh their options and represent their views, the future of the county’s roadways hangs in the balance.