Lexington County’s proposed storm water fee appears headed for defeat.

Sources say only 3 council members – Erin Bergeson of Chapin and Debbie Summers and Todd Cullum of the Cayce-West Columbia area – favor the tax on all taxable properties in the county.

The SC Poultry Growers Association is strongly opposed, said Donna Proveaux of the association.

“We built our farms with berms according to DHEC regulations,” she said.

“These storm water requirements could cost some of our members up to $30,000 to correct to get a discount on the tax.”

Critics concede almost $200 million may be needed to repair county drainage and flood control.

But, they say, the tax will harm economic development and growth.

“What will this do to Amazon, Nephron, Michelin and US Foods?” asked council member Darrell Hudson, a tax opponent.

Chambers of commerce leaders question the timing and the targets of the tax – businesses and homes.

Churches, schools, government buildings and nonprofits would be tax exempt.

Lexington, Gaston and West Columbia municipal leaders immediately opted out of the proposal.

Sources said Irmo had initially been opposed and Batesburg-Leesville, a poultry center, may consider it.

The county estimates the tax would be $78 a year on the average home and up to $156 a year on homes of 6,000 square feet or more.

Critics say the county put off repairing the system for years to avoid raising taxes.

Now, amid a pandemic, the council wants what critics call a punishing tax to repair its failing system.

The county says storm water problems cost an estimated $3 million a year.

To repair the damage, the county estimates it needs:

• $114 million for storm water system repairs.

• $76 million for community flooding problems.