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1. How long will we pay this tax?

Since the tax for the 1997, 2003 and 2011 Programs has expired, the tax for the 2018 Program is now being collected. The 2018 tax will be collected for no more than 7 years and is currently set to expire on April 30, 2025.

2. What happens if the 2017 Pennies for Progress Program tax does not generate enough money for the road projects within 7 years?

No matter what, the Capital Projects Sales Tax will end in 7 years. The projects listed are in priority order. Any work not funded at the end of 7 years will not be completed. Other funding sources would have to be identified.

3. What happens if the 2017 Pennies for Progress Program tax generates more than the $277.92 million needed for the road projects?

The law that governs the Capital Projects Sales and Use Tax requires the tax remain for a specific period of time. In the event the revenues for this predetermined time period exceed that estimated revenues for the program the excess funding would first be used to complete projects from the sales tax program.

If there is still money left, the second option for the excess funding will be to fund projects from any new sales tax programs that may have been implemented. If there is still excess funding after these options, it will go towards the County's general fund.

4. Can the money generated by the tax be spent on anything other than roads listed on the ballot?

No. This is a county tax and not a state tax. As a result, all of the money collected will stay in York County and can only be spent on the road projects listed on the ballot.

5. What if I don’t trust politicians? Should I suspect that they will try to find some way to keep collecting the penny?

No, you can have confidence that it cannot be done. No elected official, or any governing body can legally take any action that could extend this tax.

6. Who determined what projects will be completed?

A citizen’s commission made up of residents from Clover/Lake Wylie, Fort Mill/Tega Cay, Rock Hill and York develop the proposed list of projects.

7. Is this something the County Council can do regardless of the outcome of any public vote?

No. The only way that this penny for roads program can be established is through a public referendum, approved by York County voters. The County Council's only authority is to put the question on the ballot to give everyone a chance to decide if the projects should be funded.

8. Who will pay the tax?

Anyone purchasing goods in York County will help fund the road work. A significant portion of the money will come from people who live outside York County. People from other places who visit, work or purchase goods and services in York County will help to contribute money to county roads through the tax.

In the Pennies 3 Program a change in the state law exempted non-prepared foods from the 1% sales tax.

9. Will this change the way any other exempt sales items are taxed?

No, if the item is currently exempt from sales tax, it will continue to be exempt.

10. What happens if the tax doesn’t pass?

Many of these projects won't be completed in the foreseeable future, and roads will continue to be congested and unsafe.