Greenville County Council Settles Lawsuit Over Secret Meeting, Tax Hike

Controversial tax increase sparked political turmoil in the county

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:15am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty county council chamber, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows covering the desks and chairs, conceptually representing the lack of transparency and public trust in local government.The settlement over Greenville County's secret tax hike vote casts a long shadow of mistrust over local government.Greenville Today

Greenville County Council has agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging the council held a secret meeting and illegally raised taxes. The tax increase, the first in 30 years for the county, sparked a major political backlash and upheaval.

Why it matters

The lawsuit and settlement highlight ongoing tensions around government transparency and the public's trust in local elected officials, especially when it comes to controversial decisions like tax increases. The case also underscores the political consequences that can arise from perceived violations of open meeting laws.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Greenville County Council held a closed-door meeting in January 2026 to discuss a potential property tax increase. The council then voted to raise taxes by 3.5% without public input, drawing the ire of many residents. The settlement requires the council to pay $250,000 in legal fees and agree to stricter rules around public meetings and transparency going forward.

  • The alleged secret meeting took place in January 2026.
  • Greenville County's last tax increase was 30 years ago.

The players

Greenville County Council

The governing body of Greenville County, South Carolina that voted to raise property taxes.

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What they’re saying

“This settlement is an important step towards restoring public trust in our local government. Taxpayers deserve transparency, especially when it comes to decisions that impact their wallets.”

— Samantha Wilkins, Greenville County Resident

What’s next

The Greenville County Council will hold a public meeting next month to discuss new policies and procedures for open meetings and public input on tax decisions.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges local governments face in balancing fiscal needs with public transparency. The settlement underscores the political risks of perceived backroom dealing, even on technical issues like tax policy.