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RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WACH) -- With Election Day just over a month away, now is the time to get informed about what and who you'll be voting on. Richland County is shedding light on its politics by letting its voters know where their tax dollars are going.

Richland 101 classes start back up Monday. They give people in Richland County the opportunity to learn how the county collects and spends citizen tax dollars.

The free courses, held on Mondays and Thursdays, shed light on the county's role in things ranging from public safety to public education.

The classes will take place at locations throughout the county, including the courthouse, administration building, Jim Hamilton L.B. Owens Airport, and the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

The county plans to give tours of those facilities and explain how taxpayer dollars factor into their use.

Department directors will lead each session, and people attending will be able to ask directors any questions about county government's role.

"It's just helpful for the citizens to come in and see where their tax dollars go, what it takes to run the different departments within the county, and the department directors will be there to give in-detail [answers] about each department and what all we offer," said Melinda Edwards, public information officer for Richland County.

With the penny tax on the ballot this year, the meetings could be an opportunity for citizens to get answers to any lingering questions now that Transportation Penny information sessions are over.

To register for the free classes, contact Richland County's Public Information Office at 576-2062.

The first class is Monday, Oct. 1 at 6-8 p.m. at the Richland County Administration Building. Its topic is "How The County Spends Your Money."

The full schedule for Richland 101 classes this fall can be found here.