From staff reports
There were two local questions on the ballot Tuesday related to 1% sales and use tax for open land and green spaces – both passed.
This allows the County to buy development rights or total ownership of land to retain it as green spaces, in and outside the boundaries of Beaufort County.
The first question approves a 1 percent sales tax for two years to raise $100 million dollars for land acquisitions; purchases of groceries, gas, and medicine are excluded from the tax.
The second question allows the County to issue bonds to raise the money prior to the actual receipt of the tax money (that will be used to pay the bonds).
Question 1A – Passed
Shall a special one percent (1%) sales and use tax be imposed in Beaufort County for not more than two (2) years to raise up to $100,000,000 for preservation procurement for the purpose of procuring open lands and green space by and through the acquisition of interests in real property, located within or outside the boundaries of Beaufort County, such interests to include: (a)the acquisition of fee simple titles; (b)conservation easements; (c)development rights; (d)rights of first refusal; (e)options; (f)leases with options to purchase; or (g)any other interests in real property?”
Question 1B – Passed
I approve the issuance of not exceeding $100,000,000 in principal amount of general obligation bonds of Beaufort County maturing over a period of not to exceed two (2) years to fund the procurement of open lands and green space identified in Beaufort County Local Referendum
Vote totals for Beaufort County and the entire state can be found at SCVotes.gov.
