South Carolina lawmakers weigh possible property tax changes as local leaders warn of funding challenges

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina lawmakers are considering changes to the state’s property tax system, but local leaders warn that reducing tax revenue could make it harder to fund essential services.Property taxes help pay for law enforcement, road maintenance and other local government operations. Local leaders say any reduction in that revenue would require another way to make up the difference, which could be challenging for smaller rural communities.“Any change to property taxes could have a devastating effect on Lincolnville, while some of our members could absorb it because they have the revenues to spread that out,” said Todd Glover, executive director of the Municipal Association of South Carolina.Some counties believe shifting more responsibility for education funding to the state could ease the burden on local property taxpayers. That was among the ideas presented to a subcommittee examining South Carolina’s tax system.Owen McBride of the South Carolina Association of C