Georgetown County Council to discuss 1% sales tax referendum for capital projects

Update: County councilmembers passed the sales tax and the referendum will head to the ballet for the Nov. 5 general election.

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GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)—On Tuesday night, Georgetown County Council will discuss a possible one percent sales tax and whether it should be put to residents in a voter referendum. Leaders are working to implement a capital project sales tax to meet the county’s growing needs.

“Implementing the project, a sales tax commission was formed from members of various county areas. That commission went to five different meeting areas throughout the county, we held multiple meetings in each area and got citizen input on how they wanted the process to go and what type of projects they were looking for,” said Walt Ackerman, director of administrative services for Georgetown County.

The proposed plan will cost roughly $73 million and fund 22 capital projects like improving water and sewer lines, adding recreational facilities, and widening roads for emergency access. Leaders said most of the revenue would come from tourists visiting the area, but residents will reap the benefits.

“From a productivity standpoint in terms of your tax dollars at work, it’s very productive because it’s tax money that isn’t taxing the local folks very much,” said Mark Hawn, chairman of the sales tax commission for Georgetown County.

Council members will vote on how to use the funds and whether to put the measure on the ballot in November. If they move forward, they encourage voters to voice their voices at the polls.

“It’s going to do so much for the residents of Georgetown County, but they have to decide at the polls in November if it’s something they can get behind individually,” said Ackerman.

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