GIC Members Support the Transportation Tax Referendum

Thursday, October 3, 2024

The GIC Regional Committee studied the Beaufort County 2024 transportation tax referendum and drafted a Resolution to our membership for their approval to support it. The membership unanimously voted in favor of support on October 3, 2024.

What is the Sales Tax Referendum for Transportation (TST4)?

TST4 is a referendum approved by the Beaufort County Council that will be on the ballot in the Beaufort County general election on November 5, 2024. It will, in the form of 2 ballot questions, ask the residents to vote on a 1% sales tax to begin on May 1, 2025, and to continue for 10 years or until $950 million is collected, whichever occurs first. The second question asks the voters to give Beaufort County permission to issue bonds in anticipation of the Sales Tax collections.

Beaufort County will use the proceeds to fund county-wide transportation and mobility projects. It recommends the formation of a Citizen’s Oversight Committee to work with County Council and staff to prioritize, implement, and oversee the financing of the projects and activities that the referendum is funding. 

Projects and activities which span the County may include:

  • Completion of Transportation Sales Tax 3 (2018) projects:
    • US 278 Corridor Project ($90M)
    • Lady’s Island Corridor Projects ($60M)
    • Sidewalks and multi-use pathways county-wide ($30M)
  • Greenbelts ($50M)
  • Mass Transit – ($80M)
  • The Triangle Project – SC 170, US 278, Argent Blvd ($120M)
  • Ribaut Road Improvements ($75M)
  • SC 46 Improvements ($50M)
  • Safety & Traffic Flow ($100M)
  • Dirt Road Paving and Resurfacing ($80M)
  • Pathway Projects ($20M)
  • Municipal Projects:
    • Hilton Head Island ($30M)
    • Bluffton – Not Including 5B – $30M)
    • North of the Broad – Port Royal, Beaufort, & Northern Beaufort County ($30M)
    • Resiliency/Emergency Evacuation Projects ($55M)

Why support the Sales Tax Referendum for Transportation?
(What is in the GIC’s Resolution?)

The GIC has committed to encourage our fellow citizens to vote in favor of the two ballot questions – that is, to advocate for passage of this 1% tax and supporting bonding. 

The reasons that the GIC has voted its support include:

  • Beaufort County, especially south of the Broad River, is experiencing some of the highest growth in the State and the Nation and significant investment in transportation is essential to keep ahead of the growth.
  • Jasper County is also conducting a $470 million / 15-year Sales Tax Referendum and since the growth is regional, it includes $376 million for roads that are extensions of Beaufort County roads, with an additional $94 million for Green Belt projects.
  • The existing 2-year Greenspace 1% Sales Tax, which will sunset on or before December 31, 2024, together with this proposed Referendum set aside $244 million to acquire property and development rights to reduce growth and preserve our Quality of Life.
  • This Referendum contains $90 million, which is essential for the US 278 Corridor Project, and funds for the SC 170 widening, both of which are critical to relieving the current workforce commuting problem and to the economic health of our community.
  • Municipality-directed projects needed for Hilton Head Island and Bluffton will be funded.
    This Referendum improves critical evacuation routes, allocates $80 Million to mass transportation, and $100 million earmarked for safety projects to address the unacceptably high number of fatalities from vehicle accidents.

Additional benefits of the way the Referendum is constructed include:

  • The 1% sales taxes will be paid in part by non-residents allowing fair sharing between residents, businesses, and visitors.
  • There will be a citizen oversight committee to ensure transparency, accountability, and citizen input regarding the use of the tax revenue for the designated projects
  • There is an additional ballot question that will allow the County to borrow against future collections, so construction is not delayed.

Important note: if you vote a straight ticket you still must vote for the two questions separately.  

County Documents