Sumter sales tax referendum

Penny for Progress: 3rd round penny sales tax schedule set

A quick guide to recent community projects funded by voter-approved sales tax referendums.

Photos by Joe Perry/ Sumter County Government

BY SHELBIE GOULDING

Sumter County offi cials and residents are preparing for a third round of their Penny for Progress initiative, and the result may bring benefi ts to the whole community. Penny for Progress is a capital projects sales tax referendum that Sumter voters approved fi rst in 2008 and again in 2014 to fund infrastructure, construction and renovation projects by raising the sales tax in the county by 1 cent and funneling those pennies to the initiative. The fi rst referendum in 2008 funded 16 projects and ushered in a $75 million boost to the regional economy. The second, which is ongoing, began in 2014 with 28 projects and costs $75.6 million. in 2014 with 28 projects and costs $75.6 million. "In total, over a 14-year period – which each penny series is seven years – it'd be roughly $154 million invested in the Sumter community, which is huge," Sumter County Administrator Gary Mixon said at a community meeting in December 2021.

The sales tax is on gas, retail and other sales in the community. Mixon said one-third of the revenue generated from the tax comes from non-residents.

"That's a pretty sweet deal having somebody else help pay for the amenities in Sumter," he said. "That was one of the major selling points when we first initiated this effort."

The current Penny for Progress runs until April 2023, so the county has to get moving and have the referendum on the ballot in November 2022. Mixon said this third round would not add to the county’s current tax but simply continue it for another seven years.

According to Mixon, the third round is anticipated to reel in just under $80 million, a slight increase since the previous referendum. A committee will develop a list of final projects, and that list must undergo three readings before it is passed by county council. If passed, between June and November is when the county hands off the list to marketing, which will campaign the third round of penny projects for the November election. The entire initiative will be voted for or against at that point, not specific projects.

WHAT’S BEEN DONE SO FAR

According to Sumter County Communications Coordinator Joe Perry and Sumter County Government’s website, the following penny sales tax projects are ongoing:

Industrial infrastructure

This $2 million project is ongoing, but Race Track Road was paved, which helped Nova Molecular’ s current expansion. The county had matching funds from the S.C. Department of Commerce.

Manning Avenue bridge

What began as a renovation project changed to a replacement project after the South Carolina Department of Transportation determined the bridge's infrastructure needs a makeover.

The bridge has preliminary design work, and an engineering consultant is finalizing work.

According to Kyle Kelly, senior planner for the Sumter CityCounty Planning Department, there is about $18.9 million in federal and state money committed to the project by SCDOT. The $2.5 million in Penny for Progress funding will be used for aesthetic enhancements and additional bike and pedestrian access.

Public information meetings are planned for spring 2022 with proposed construction to begin in summer 2023. Construction could take 18 to 24 months.

Manning Avenue and North Main corridor

A large-scale makeover of downtown Sumter's main artery is far along in the planning stages. About $11.4 million in federal dollars were paired with $5 million in Penny for Progress money to improve pedestrian safety, create a smoother traffic flow and enhance aesthetics in the corridor.

City engineering completed water and sewer relocation plans for the Manning Avenue corridor, and construction is proposed to begin in late 2022 or early 2023. It could take 24 to 30 months for construction.

Final engineering design efforts are underway for traffic design and general construction funds for the North Main corridor; SUATS funds were added for both areas. Construction should begin mid-to-late 2022 and take 24 to 30 months to be completed.

Shot Pouch Greenway

Construction of a new 3.4-mile nature trail connecting Dillon Park and Swan Lake Iris Gardens is ongoing and is projected to be completed in Spring 2022.

The section of the $4 million project from Broad Street to Miller Road was paved first. The next portion tapped was Miller Road to North Guignard Drive, and then the final portion will include a new 1,100-foot boardwalk. Benches and signs will be installed.

Downtown intersections

A lot of design work and engineering has been done for the improvement of pedestrian crosswalks, utilities, streets and sidewalks, lighting and landscaping in the historic Central Business District. Plans should be finalized in the first quarter of 2022.

Recreation renovations

New gyms opened for play in mid-November 2021 for basketball season next to the Sumter County Recreation and Parks Department on Haynsworth Street.

“When the kids saw the new gyms, it was like Disney World. And I think the parents are pleased with how it turned out,” said Phil Parnell, director of Recreation and Parks. “Basketball season is underway, and we’re happy to have a new gym and a renovated gym for this popular recreation department offering.”

Property and building acquisition/renovation

With $2.2 million, properties will be purchased and renovated to provide new workspaces for five state agencies that provide services in Sumter. One building, the old Sumter Item/Osteen Publishing building on Magnolia Street, received an extensive makeover and renovations.

Perry said more renovations are planned – HVAC upgrades, new lighting and more in a four-phase process – for Clemson Extension, Department of Juvenile Justice and S.C. Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole Services slated to move there.

Historic Sumter County courthouse

The $3 million refurbishing project is still underway with only the main courtroom renovations remaining. The main courtroom, known as the O.V. Player Courtroom, will be restored to its early grandeur with help of a private benefactor. The painting of Gen. Thomas Sumter will also be restored.

The courtroom will be used for ceremonial purposes and swearing-in ceremonies once completed.

Completed renovations included the exterior being pressure washed and painted, the installation of new energy-efficient windows, the removal of old windows, the installation of a new elevator tower at the rear of the building and the construction of ADA-compliant bathrooms.

Community sidewalks

Theater Drive, Lewis Road and North Lafayette Drive sidewalks are nearly complete. Henderson Drive and North Guignard are completed, as well as North Columbia Drive, Crestwood Drive, Highland Avenue, Lynam Road, West Oakland Avenue and West Red Bay Road.

Demolition

About 10 abandoned and dilapidated properties are demolished and have been cleared. Two projects – 706 S. Main St. and 100 E. Liberty St. – remain on the list.

Carnegie Library

This $300,000 project is not yet started but will restore one of 14 Carnegie Foundation libraries in South Carolina. There is interest in that area that may tie in with other projects, which is why it is being held until the “appropriate time.”

Paving and resurfacing

About 13.5 miles of dirt roads have been paved, with 6.5 miles remaining, while about 18.18 miles of roads have been resurfaced, with 2.1 miles remaining.

Pinewood

The project has not started but will see the development of a sports and wellness complex and recreational park with multisport fields, playground equipment, a picnic area, restrooms and parking at a cost of $200,000. The project scope may expand to include more robust recreational offerings.

“The past two pennies have been a major benefit to our uptick in infrastructure, and we’re seeing the creation of new jobs with high-paying wages as a result of these investments,” Sumter County Council Chairman James T. McCain Jr. said. “I remember well when former Mayor Steve Creech said Sumter is too small, too rural and too poor for the city and county to not work together to make life better for all of us, and the Penny for Progress has been a major contributor to that factor.”

According to Sumter County Communications Coordinator Joe Perry, the following second-round penny sales tax projects have been completed:

• New E911 Facility • Public Safety Complex – Sumter Fire Department and

Sumter Police Department • Wilson Hall Road and Wise Drive • Wilson Hall Road and Carter Road • Administration Building renovations • Dillon Park renovations • Mayesville Downtown revitalization • Downtown Building renovations • Renovation of Industrial Engineering Building at CCTC • Mill Creek renovations • Renovations to Animal Control Building • Palmetto Park Renovations

For more information on Sumter County’s Penny for Progress, visit www.sumtercountysc.org.