By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Beaufort County Council held its final regular meeting of 2023 on Monday, Dec. 11, in Beaufort and discussed a transportation Sales Tax.
During the meeting, council members unanimously voted to adopt the recommendations of the Sales Tax Advisory Committee (STAC) regarding a 2024 Sales Tax Referendum that would be voted on in November 2024.
There were six members on the committee – one representing the two municipalities north of Broad River, one representing the Town of Hilton Head, one representing the Town of Bluffton, two representing the unincorporated area in northern Beaufort County and one representing the unincorporated area in southern Beaufort County.
The committee recommended during the Public Facilities and Safety Committee earlier in the day that council vote to add a question to the ballot to ask the electorate to approve a one percent additional sales tax in Beaufort County that would begin in 2025 and would continue for 15 years.
All proceeds from this tax would be used by Beaufort County for a “series of critical transportation and mobility projects and programs vital to the health and safety of the residents and visitors.”
The committee also recommended for a Citizen Oversight Committee be appointed to assist the council and staff in implementing the projects and activities funded by the referendum.
STAC Chairman Dean Moss said as he addressed the Public Facilities and Safety Committee and told them he believes that over 15 years, conservatively, $1.625 billion would be raised and available to the county.
The proposed project list includes $650 million for “Big Projects” and $975 million for “Project Programs.”
Of that money, STAC is recommending $300 million for projects south of Broad River, and $175 million north of Broad River.
A total of $175 million would be saved for “future big projects.”
“None of these projects have been designed yet, these are all estimates as of today,” STAC Chairman Dean Moss said while addressing the committee.
One project that has been recommended for funding by this tax is “Reimagine” Ribaut Road for $75 million.
Lady’s Island Corridor Improvements has also been suggested, estimated to cost $40 million.
If voted in, it would also go toward Project Programs.
Delayna Earley formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
