(01-20-2016 06:25 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(01-19-2016 09:17 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  The local water and sewer is in fairly good shape both structurally and financially. Unlike other areas of the state they have done a great job of keeping water and sewer money in the water and sewer department budget instead of using it as a source of funding for everything else. The city of Columbia used theirs as a slush fund and now their water and sewer system is crumbling and they don't have any money to fix it. Honestly they may get lucky and get some help from the flood damage back in October, but they are still in trouble.

As for roads, we are pretty much screwed. South Carolina has neglected them for so long it would take decades to fix if they started now and they aren't in any shape to start now. Many local governments are taking matters into their own hands with sales tax increases.

the 'burg did this moons ago to fund the 'welcome' (civic center)

shockingly, both still exist while they both generate revenue

learn and understand how to make more....that's what life taut <sic> me....

The one here in my town is both very limited (2% on prepared food only), is limited to specific projects, and has a sunset provision where it will expire. The current council was pretty much put in office because the previous council enacted a 2% across the board tax with no sunset provision and no specifics. The majority of the current council voted the old tax out when they took office, the rest of the holdovers were voted out the next election. When the current council enacted the current tax they took great pains to put the limits in place. It's probably still going to cost a few of them come reelection time but overall it's a fair plan for something they shouldn't have to be dealing with.

(01-20-2016 07:03 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  

(01-20-2016 06:25 PM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(01-19-2016 09:17 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  The local water and sewer is in fairly good shape both structurally and financially. Unlike other areas of the state they have done a great job of keeping water and sewer money in the water and sewer department budget instead of using it as a source of funding for everything else. The city of Columbia used theirs as a slush fund and now their water and sewer system is crumbling and they don't have any money to fix it. Honestly they may get lucky and get some help from the flood damage back in October, but they are still in trouble.

As for roads, we are pretty much screwed. South Carolina has neglected them for so long it would take decades to fix if they started now and they aren't in any shape to start now. Many local governments are taking matters into their own hands with sales tax increases.

the 'burg did this moons ago to fund the 'welcome' (civic center)

shockingly, both still exist while they both generate revenue

learn and understand how to make more....that's what life taut <sic> me....

The one here in my town is both very limited (2% on prepared food only), is limited to specific projects, and has a sunset provision where it will expire. The current council was pretty much put in office because the previous council enacted a 2% across the board tax with no sunset provision and no specifics. The majority of the current council voted the old tax out when they took office, the rest of the holdovers were voted out the next election. When the current council enacted the current tax they took great pains to put the limits in place. It's probably still going to cost a few of them come reelection time but overall it's a fair plan for something they shouldn't have to be dealing with.

ours is the same 2%, but 'sin taxation' is also part of it....

and to your previous point of disintegrating SC roads.....we're gaining on that rapidly in the incorporated area....I don't even worry about driving between the lines anymore....neither do the cops....

within a 10 square mile area east of hwy 49 to the hbg downtown area, there are 6 ft. diameter pipes stacked in preparation....one group sat there for two years....they started about 6 mos. ago.....it's still being worked on

this shite is a cf in waiting....

"The Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) project (METRO Green Line Extension) will operate from downtown Minneapolis through the communities of St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie, passing in close proximity to Edina. It will be part of an integrated system of transitways, including connections to the METRO Blue Line, the Northstar Commuter Rail line, bus routes and proposed future transitways. The total estimated project cost of $1.77 billion"

This is for * 14.5 * Miles of line! More than 120 Million dollars per mile! And that is merely the construction not the day to day operations which are more expensive than an express bus route.

This is why current infrastructure is falling apart. We are spending our wad on toy trains for urban planners.