Charleston community leaders are ready to work together after transportation referendum fails

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Charleston County community leaders are looking to take the next step after the transportation referendum failed.

The half-cent sales received no wins at the county precincts, nearly 60% voted in opposition overall. Officials repeated the same message after the results came out.

"We were just really gratified that the voters of Charleston County spoke loudly and clearly about this referendum," Faith River James, executive director of South Carolina's Coastal Conservation League, said.

With the 2004 sales tax expiring in two years, leaders hope they and the community can come together to work a referendum that everyone can support.

"We're going to have a conservation as a community between county council, the leaders in the community, and the community at large about what the long-term vision is for infrastructure and whether a half-cents sales tax is going to be a parcel of that formula," Mike Seekings, CARTA chairman and city councilman, said. "And I believe really, truly, that it is and this community wants to get a yes – and we will."

Leaders on both sides said they are ready to work with the county on creating a clear, improved referendum. The Coastal Conservation League is hoping to get other transportation projects improved along with biker and pedestrian safety, instead of the completion of the Mark Clark Expressway.

"We want to make sure those are the highest priority needs for residents across the county," River James said. "We don't think 526 is necessary, we think we can solve those traffic congestion points with traffic solutions at a much lower cost."

With a countdown, the next two years are expected to bring a new half-cent sales tax to the ballot.

"Go to work, recognizing this an opportunity to rethink, take a step back, come forward and get everybody on the same page," Seekings said.