AIKEN, S.C. — More than 24,000 Aiken County residents had already voted early as of Tuesday, election officials said, and along with the candidate races their ballots carry a local question about paying for sewer capacity.
The referendum asks voters to loosen limits set by wastewater referendums passed in 1976 and 2006, so the county could tap any funding source allowed by law to build and run treatment facilities. County Council Chairman Gary Bunker has said the top priority is expanding the Horse Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant so it can handle 6 million more gallons a day.
A yes vote would give the council a wider menu of financing choices, which Bunker says would let it pick the lowest available rate for customers. A no vote keeps the current authorization in place. Passing it would not lock in a cost or a particular way to borrow.
County Council sent the question to the ballot over the summer, approving the ordinance unanimously on first reading July 21 and by a 7-0 vote on second reading July 28.
Polls for early voting stay open daily until 6 p.m., opening at 8:30 a.m., with Saturday the last day. Voters who wait will cast ballots on Nov. 3, Election Day.
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Filed under: Aiken SC Politics News
