Richland County Councilman Derrek Pugh, District 2, and Councilwoman Gretchen D. Barron, District 7, will host a town hall on Thursday, Oct. 3 to discuss the 2024 Transportation Penny Referendum. This meeting was originally scheduled for Sept. 26.
As part of the town hall, residents will receive important facts on the identified needs that would be funded by the 2024 Richland County Transportation Penny Referendum:
- Community Investment, which impacts the day-to-day activities of residents and local businesses such as road improvements, resurfacings, dirt road pavings, bikeways, greenways and sidewalks
- County Advancement, to support and sustain economic growth in the County such as new construction, improvements and widenings of major roadways and intersections
- COMET Enhancement, which focuses on expansion and continuance of the County’s public transportation system
The referendum, which will be decided by voters on Election Day, Nov. 5, is projected to raise $4.5 billion over the next 25 years, or until the maximum revenue is received, whichever comes first. If passed by voters, the 2024 Penny will not be an additional tax. Individuals would not pay more into the Transportation Penny program than they do now.
Additional town halls are being planned in other districts throughout Richland County. Details will be forthcoming on the County’s website and social media platforms.
For more information about the 2024 Richland County Transportation Penny Referendum and to request a speaker for an upcoming community event, please visit www.richlandpenny.com.