Beaufort County Residents Debate Sales Tax Hike for Infrastructure
In the charming city of Beaufort, South Carolina, a heated discussion is unfolding as the county proposes a new 1% sales tax increase that could bring in nearly $950 million for much-needed transportation projects. This new tax, affectionately dubbed the “penny tax,” would span the next decade and, if approved, would go down in history as the longest and largest sales tax in Beaufort County.
What’s on the Table?
This proposed sales tax increase aims to tackle a series of infrastructure improvements necessary due to the area’s rapid population growth. The funds would be allocated across various projects, including highway work, roads, bridges, drainage facilities, mass transit, and even greenbelts.
Here’s how the county proposes to spend that hefty $950 million:
- $180 million for underfunded projects from the 2018 transportation sales tax
- $50 million for land conservation efforts
- $80 million dedicated to enhancing mass transit
- $120 million for the Triangle Project at major road intersections
- $75 million for Ribaut Road improvements
- $100 million aimed at safety and traffic flow enhancements
- $80 million for paving and resurfacing dirt roads
- $30 million for pathway projects
- $55 million for resiliency and emergency evacuation projects
Jared Fralix, Beaufort County’s assistant county administrator-engineering, emphasizes that growth and safety are the main drivers behind this funding request, stating, “We’re experiencing high growth throughout the state, especially our county, and our roads have needs to make sure residents and visitors can drive safely throughout the community.”
A Call for Caution
However, not everyone is on board with this tax increase. The Beaufort Tea Party, a local group, is rallying against what it calls a “sales tax nightmare.” They argue that with ongoing ethics investigations surrounding the County Council and administration, giving them additional funds could lead to more issues.
Ann Ubelis, chairwoman of the Beaufort Tea Party, argues that citizens should be wary of a government that has not proven itself responsible with taxpayer dollars. She particularly takes issue with the fact that a significant portion of the new tax would go towards finishing projects that were supposed to be completed with funds from the 2018 sales tax referendum. “That’s a double-dip,” she says, highlighting concerns about ongoing funding projects that were already approved.
Two-Part Referendum Confusion
Adding confusion to the mix, voters in Beaufort will also face a second question on the ballot related to the sales tax increase: a proposal allowing the county to issue $515 million in general obligation bonds over the same ten years. Ubelis claims that this bond issue was never properly presented to the public.
Fralix counters by saying the bond issue isn’t an additional tax. Instead, it would allow the county to start working on projects right away and use the sales tax revenue to repay the bonds. “It’s not an extra tax,” he insists, but just a means of getting the work done more quickly.
Potential Impact
The current sales tax rate in Beaufort is at 7%, which consists of 6% going to the state and 1% set aside for buying and preserving county green space. If passed, the new infrastructure tax would simply replace the current green space tax when it ends, ensuring the total rate remains at no less than 7% until 2035.
Looking Ahead
As the people of Beaufort County weigh their options ahead of the election on November 5th, discussions over road repairs, budget management, and the future of their community continue to heat up. With signs popping up against the referendum, rallies planned, and opinions divided, it’s clear that this issue could shape the future of transportation in the area for years to come.
Whether you’re looking for better roads, or simply concerned about tax burdens, it’s a complicated situation—and every voice matters as the county heads to the polls.
