With an open house format and no formal presentation, these meetings are a perfect opportunity to you to weigh in on the final language for the referendum. Considering an additional half cent sales tax on Charleston County is a huge endeavor, and one that Council is not going to take lightly. We need to use these meetings as the time to advocate for conservation and transportation projects that address our region’s true needs and quality of life.
· First, the Charleston County Greenbelt Program must be funded in the amount of $125 million. The first ½ cent sales tax allowed the Greenbelt Program to protect more than 20,000 acres of property for $94 million and the need to preserve rural land is greater now than ever.
· Second, we need to fund transportation projects that reflect the region’s true priorities, like the flyover at Main Road and US17, Savannah Highway Improvements, implementation of the Rethink Folly Road Study, bus rapid transit along the I-26 corridor, and CARTA operational improvements.
Please plan to attend one of these meetings and voice your support for funding conservation efforts through the Greenbelt Program and the much-needed transportation projects that focus on enhancing communities and quality of life, safety, and fixing existing infrastructure.