Democratic gubernatorial candidate Vincent Sheheen said Tuesday that if elected, he would dedicate five percent of the state’s general fund within five years to the state’s crumbling roads and bridges.

On Tuesday, the Camden state Senator released a road funding plan calling for no increase in the state’s gas tax but a dedicated stream of revenue and an infusion of borrowed money.

South Carolina’s roads, bridges and highways are among the least safe in the country, his campaign said in a statement. Sheheen said he would ask the Department of Transportation to better prioritize its maintenance plan, a “Fix-it-First” approach. He also called for up to $1 billion in new bonds to fix the biggest problem areas and a dedication of 5 percent of the state’s general fund budget for roads. This year, the state had a $7 billion general fund, which would have meant $350 million for roads.

“I think we can do it,” Sheheen said. “I don’t think it’s a partisan issue. It should be all of us working together to reach that goal.”

Sheheen’s plans resemble a road funding plan introduced by Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Charleston, several years ago. Grooms said he didn’t mind Sheheen touting the plan as his, as long as it becomes law.

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Richland County will collect about $5 million on so called  hospitality tax.

Members of Richland County Council met Thursday regarding plans that could commit nearly $50 million dollars for new recreational attractions throughout the county. Among those new recreational options is a water park.

The water park would be located on county-owned land between Farrow Road and I-77. It would be one of the latest in a series of franchises operated by Dave Busch of Hawaiian Falls Waterparks.

On Thursday, the H-tax committee voted to earmark as much as $20 million in bonds for the water park.

A motion also passed Thursday, according to Monique McDaniels, to move the report forward to the Economic Development Committee to do more  research  about the water park.

While the county would not have to pay for operations for the water park, that would not be the case for another project on the list.

Council members are also looking at building at possibly building a nearly $16 million multi-sport arena in the Bluff and Atlas Roads area. Councilman Seth Rose has questions about that and other spending proposed for recreation facilities funded by hospitality money.

“Council’s playing with fire in allocating $60 million dollars without the due diligence required to make sure these things are going to be profitable,” Rose said.

There are other projects to be considered at some point as well including amphitheaters, walking trails, and a $12 million dollar pool and splash pad on Garners Ferry Road.

North Myrtle Beach has been suffering from low property values in recent years. As a result County Council has decided to increase property taxes. The tax increase was approved by council members Monday night.The increase would add an approximate $5 increase per every $100,000 worth of property owned. A former increased millage rate of 36 mills was passed on May 19, but the figure was readjusted at Mondays meeting. The Horry County auditor told the City that property values in North Myrtle Beach declined three-and-a-half percent, which caused the need for the tax increase. The decline in property value is attributed to the decrease in ocen front condo properties.

Read the full story here http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/25960528/council-approves-property-tax-uptick-in-north-myrtle-beach