Greenville’s 1% sales-tax referendum advances toward second reading

Greenville’s proposed 1% municipal sales tax is moving toward a second City Council reading after unanimous first-reading approval July 13 and a July 28 public meeting about the projects it could fund.

The proposal is not an approved tax. It still needs additional council action and voter approval before it could take effect. The referendum must also be finalized and submitted to the Greenville County Voter Registration and Election Board by Aug. 14 to remain on track for possible placement on the November 2026 ballot, according to FOX Carolina.

How the proposed tax would work

If approved by voters, the tax would add 1% to eligible retail purchases inside the city of Greenville. Reported exemptions include most groceries, prescription medicines and gasoline.

City estimates project about $511.6 million in revenue over eight years, or roughly $64 million annually. Those figures are projections, not guaranteed collections.

Property-tax relief and capital projects

At least 20% of the proceeds would be used for property-tax relief for qualifying owner-occupied homes. The city estimates that share at about $102.3 million. According to the city, a qualifying owner-occupied home valued at $250,000 could receive an estimated $300 annual reduction, but that would not apply universally to every homeowner.

The remaining estimated $409.3 million would support a proposed capital program containing 527 projects. The city has organized the projects into priority tiers, so the full list would depend on future revenue and implementation rather than immediate construction of every project.

Major proposed categories include roads, stormwater improvements, sewer infrastructure, public assembly and public safety facilities, and fire-station replacements. Examples of top-tier projects include rebuilding the Queen Street bridge, replacing the West Greenville Community Center, renovating the Greenville Transit Center and improving Wade Hampton Boulevard.

Public feedback and next steps

The July 28 drop-in meeting gave residents an opportunity to review the proposed project list and ask questions about the Municipal Tax Relief Act. FOX Carolina reported that city officials described a program with more than 527 projects and about $410 million available for infrastructure after the required property-tax-relief share.

The second council reading is expected Aug. 10, although residents should check the final agenda for confirmation and any changes to the ordinance or project list. The referendum must be finalized and submitted to election officials by Aug. 14, according to the latest independent report reviewed for this article.

What Greenville residents should watch

For shoppers, the practical question is whether the proposal reaches the ballot and is later approved. For qualifying homeowners, the potential benefit would come through property-tax relief rather than a direct cash payment. Commuters and neighborhoods would be watching whether projects such as bridge, road, stormwater and transit improvements remain in the final plan.

The key decision points are the next council reading, the final project list, formal submission to election officials and, if accepted, the November vote. Until those steps occur, Greenville’s 1% municipal sales-tax referendum remains a proposal.

Sources

• City of Greenville: First Reading on Municipal Property Tax Relief Act Ordinance Passes
• Greenville Journal: Greenville moves forward with penny tax measure
• FOX Carolina: Proposed Greenville sales tax could raise about $410M for projects