Message from the Chairwoman

    by Vivian Fleming-McGhaney

The Capital Projects Sales Tax, which many call the “Penny for Progress,” will go a long way towards improving the safety of our roads, our chances of creating jobs, and our overall community. It certainly won’t address all the problems in our community, but it is a huge leap in the right direction, and we thank you for supporting the effort.

My fellow members of Sumter County Council realize that the question posed to voters was a difficult one. While it is not the first time Sumter County voters have passed a bond referendum, the size and scope of this question was greater than any before. However, with great efforts come great results, and we certainly expect great things to come.

County Council also understands that with your permission to leverage the penny comes a special responsibility to ensure that your tax dollars are spent wisely, and within the parameters of the referendum. We pledge to manage this effort in a transparent and accountable way, making sure that promises made are promises kept.

Over the next 7 years, we will all – together – build a better Sumter, a penny at a time. Even better, we will be joined by thousands of others from outside our community, who will contribute to the effort each time they buy something in Sumter County. It has been estimated that a quarter to a third of an effort such as this will be funded by non-residents of the community.

We ask your patience as we prepare to put these 16 projects into action.  While we will move with speed when we can, we believe our first priority is to get it right. 

We also ask for your feedback, and encourage you to share with us your comments and criticisms. You will find a “contact us” page on this site where you can ask questions or make suggestions.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about this effort, and for believing in your community.