Concurrency is a common-sense approach to growth that requires infrastructure to be in place at the same time new development is approved. In practical terms, that means roads, schools, public safety, and essential services must have the capacity to support new homes and businesses before they are built — not years after the fact. It ensures that growth does not outpace the systems residents rely on every day.
Without concurrency, development can move forward too quickly, leaving taxpayers to deal with overcrowded schools, congested roads, and strained emergency services. By requiring infrastructure first, concurrency protects quality of life, promotes responsible planning, and ensures that growth pays its fair share instead of shifting the burden onto existing residents.
Beth researched other states that already had concurrency in place and worked to get it passed right here in Lexington County — because we can only develop Lexington County one time, and we must get it right for our own quality of life and that of future generations.
In South Carolina, most roads are paved and maintained by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), not local counties. While counties and municipalities may handle some neighborhood streets or small local projects, the vast majority of roads — including many that people assume are "county roads" — are actually part of the state system. That means the responsibility for paving, major repairs, and long-term maintenance primarily rests with the state.
Funding for these roads does not come from local property taxes. Instead, it is largely generated through user-based fees tied to driving, including the state gas tax, vehicle fees, and federal transportation funding. The gas tax is the single largest source, meaning those who use the roads are the ones paying to maintain them. Simply put: the state paves the roads, and it's funded mostly by the gas tax — not your property taxes.
In South Carolina, property tax laws and structures are set by the state legislature, not by county governments. The South Carolina General Assembly determines how property is assessed, what it is taxed at, and the rules counties must follow when collecting those taxes. This includes setting assessment ratios, classifications (such as owner-occupied vs. commercial property), and statewide tax policies.
Counties do not create the tax system — they administer and collect taxes based on state law. Local governments can set their annual budgets, which may influence the millage rate needed to fund services, but they must operate within the framework established by the state. In simple terms: the state sets the rules, and counties carry them out.
Our firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and 911 dispatchers are the backbone of public safety in Lexington County. Beth has consistently supported funding and resources for our first responders, recognizing that a safe community is the foundation everything else is built on.
As growth continues to put pressure on emergency services throughout District 7, Beth remains committed to ensuring our first responders have the equipment, staffing, and support they need to protect our families and neighborhoods.
Your support helps Beth continue fighting for what matters most to District 7.