Beaufort, S.C. — County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to add a 1% sales tax on most retail purchases to fund road and safety improvements projected to raise about $780 million over nine years.
The plan covers more than 80 projects, with about $326 million for safety and intersection work, $249 million for resurfacing and dirt-road paving, and $205 million for road-widening. Targets include bottlenecks such as Highway 170 and Highway 46 in Okatie and U.S. 278 in Bluffton.
A second ballot question would authorize up to $450 million in bonds so work could start before sales-tax revenue builds. If the tax passes but bonding fails, projects would still proceed but take longer as money accumulates.
At a Thursday public hearing, residents said traffic problems are real but questioned whether the county can finish the list and rebuild trust after unfinished work from a 2018 transportation tax. Critics called the price tag too high and said oversight has lagged.
County leaders said feedback from a failed 2024 referendum shaped the new package, focusing on projects they believe can be completed on timeline and adding a citizen-led oversight committee with municipal and council representatives.
If approved, the 1% tax would take effect May 1, 2027, and end on or before April 30, 2036. Unprepared grocery food would be exempt, along with rent, mortgages, utilities and fuel under the county’s explanation of the program.
This is the eighth transportation tax question the county has put forward since 1996. Four of the previous seven failed, including the 2024 request for $950 million.
