Aiken City Council Shifts Extra Sales Tax Money to Infrastructure as Revenue Soars

Aiken's city leaders are planning to move tax funds into the city's infrastructure and utilities due to an unexpected surge in revenue from the Capitol Projects Sales Tax. The tax plan has pulled in $52.1 million through July, beating early goals by over $1 million.

"More money is still coming in," City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh said at the August work meeting. "The amount of collection has been incredible. It's a good situation we're in," he told The Post and Courier Aiken Standard.

Overages will help fund the Powderhouse Road Connector project. Workers have finished a third of the first stage. While plans for stage two sit ready, they need more cash to start. According to The Post and Courier Aiken Standard, all permits for the second phase have been approved by DOT, but funding is needed because the project is expected to go over budget.

Every three months, about $2 million flows into city accounts. Before the tax ends in April 2026, officials might ask to spend even more on needed fixes.

Voters said yes to keeping the tax going when they picked CPST V last November. The next round kicks off in May 2026.