\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA proposed penny sales tax passed its first reading in Greenville City Council chambers on Monday evening.Consumers may see a one percent sales tax increase around the city to tackle a growing list of more than 500 infrastructure projects if the proposal is approved.\u201cWe have a huge backlog of projects, so this could help make that happen,\u201d Tina Belge, a councilwoman, said.Mayor Knox White said during the meeting that the issues residents bring to their attention the most stem from neighborhood infrastructure and public safety.\u201cAnybody who is spending money in the city would pay a penny on their purchases, so that spreads it around, not just to our homeowners, but to our tourists visiting the area,\u201d Belge said.City council said the possibility of pennies mounting up to a great amount is highly probable with this proposed sales tax. It\u2019s estimated to produce tax earnings of $500 million over the next eight years.South Carolina Senate Bill 866 was signed into law, which allowed select cities to establish their own municipal tax relief even if the county does not.Keep up with what’s happening around our area by downloading the WYFF News 4 app on the App Store or Google Play.Belge said that means 20% of the earnings from this penny sales tax goes back to property tax relief.\u201cYou\u2019re going to see that relief on your property bill,\u201d Belge said.The county has a similar penny sales tax reading on their agenda. White said if both the city and county pass these penny taxes, it would be \u201ctransformative\u201d for the entire area and allow both municipalities to work hand in hand on projects.Belge echoed the sentiment, saying problems, whether it be for the city or county, tend to blend together, including traffic choke points, flooding and more.The second reading of the penny sales tax will be looked at on Aug. 10.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tGREENVILLE, S.C. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n