FORT MILL, S.C. — Millions of tax dollars meant for redoing roads are no longer controlled by counties.
State lawmakers in South Carolina made the change this week, and now, there’s concern this could hurt projects already in the works.
South Carolina reporter Tina Terry learned that state leaders are addressing those concerns.
Up until this week, the council decided how to spend those tax dollars. But with this power shift, many want to know who will be calling the shots.
[ ALSO READ >> South Carolina leaders talk to business owners about state’s economic future ]
“We know that there are a few potholes for sure, definitely, but I think now with the new renovations that’s definitely made it a lot better,” Candace Wagonseller said.
For years, York County Council has been responsible for managing millions of gas tax dollars to repair local roads, but this week, all that changed.
“I was surprised to hear about it yesterday,” said York County Council Member Andy Litten.
A new state law requires a standalone county transportation committee rather than allowing County Council to function as the CTC.
This week, York County lawmakers talked about how they will appoint the new committee.
“This could change, but the current plan is to have four appointed by House members, four appointed by Senate and have one person over chairs, so a nine-member board,” Rep. Brandon Guffey said.
Litten says his feelings aren’t hurt, but he does have questions.
“The part that does bother me is, you know, when you lose local control of something and it moves back up to the State House, away from the home rule. But the way that we currently do it at this level, at the local level, it gets very political. And so maybe there’ll be more data-based and holistic over the whole county as you look into these things,” Litten said.
Other council members expressed concerns about appointees lacking experience.
“No board will be able to assemble and do it effectively better than what your County Council has done over the years,” said William “Bump” Roddey.