Another penny sales tax referendum appears to be on the horizon in Lexington County, but it’s not likely to take place until 2026.

That’s the consensus of at least two Lexington County Council members as the county ponders options to improve the worsening traffic problems throughout the county.

After the recent failure of the council to approve an annual $30 vehicle registration fee aimed at raising $8 million to improve roads, Councilman Todd Cullum and Councilwoman Debbie Summers were asked if the penny sales tax proposal is back on the table. Both said it should be.

Cullum said the roads are in such terrible shape they have to be improved, but citizens need to know there are no other solutions available.

“We can’t keep doing what we are doing,” he said. “The state is not going to do anything.”

Summers agreed. She noted that local residents are also finally realizing the need for the tax. She said that even some of those opposing the registration fee expressed support for a penny sales tax.

Both Cullum and Summers said the tax vote should wait until 2026, when a major election is on the ballot and the turnout would be much greater.

After hearing opposition to the proposed vehicle registration fee, the council decided to withdraw the proposal. That decision raised the question of a renewed consideration of a penny sales tax, but it’s not currently on the council’s agenda.

Voters in Lexington County have twice rejected a penny sales tax. It failed in 2022 by a vote of 45.35% in favor and 54.65% opposed. In 2014, it failed by a larger margin, with 69.61% voting against the tax.

Road improvements are greatly needed in Lexington County, according to a 2023 study that found 38% of the county’s roadways were in “fair or poor” condition, and that by the end of the decade, 70% of the roads would be in such condition unless action is taken ahead of time.

According to the 2022 proposal, a penny sales tax would go toward funding $450 million in  projects, although other projects on the longer priority list, totaling more than $600 million, could also be funded if the penny tax brings in more revenue over its proposed eight-year lifespan

Other counties in the state facing similar issues have adopted a sales tax to address the problem.