GEORGETOWN S.C. — Georgetown County Council will consider a resolution this month that could put a 1-cent sales tax referendum before voters in November.

First, however, the county must pass the resolution in favor of the 1-cent sales tax, then appoint a six-person commission to take the matter to the public.

Residents will then be allowed to say what they want to build with the money.

This time, the money can only be used for capital projects, said County Council Chairman Johnny Morant.

In 2004, a proposed 1-cent sales tax would have been used for propertytax roll back.

The measure failed by a narrow margin and did not win the approval of voters in Georgetown County.

“From a practical standpoint, counties must do more on their own,” Morant said. “This is an opportunity to have a quarter of what [revenue] is being generated from an outside source, such as tourists.

“We’re inclined to revoke the impact fee, if this referendum passes.”

“I think that it is something that we need to take a look at,” said Councilman Jerry Oakley. “The Horry County ride on a penny sales tax is a capital projects sales tax and I think it has been very successful. The nice thing is that the referendum sales tax must specify what it will be spent for. The voters get to decide precisely what the money will be spent for.”

Port dredging

The money, if approved by voters, could be used for such projects as dredging the Port of Georgetown, additional road paving or local library expansions.

The additional sales tax would only apply to items that already receive a five percent sales tax.

The additional penny would not be charged on purchases of gasoline or medicine, since those items do not include state sales tax.

The six-person sales tax commission would assist in holding the public meetings, Morant said.

After getting an idea of what the community wants, the commission will report their findings to County Council.

Council will then approve the final list of capital projects, Morant said.

“It’s really things that the citizens of the county would like to see,” Morant said. “Whether it’s library expansion or things of that nature. I think it’s an ideal situation to complete and get input from the citizens.”

County Councilman Austin Beard said he would probably vote in favor of the resolution.

The matter is set to go before Georgetown County Council on Feb. 28.

“We’re all aware of economics and we don’t want to put a strain on our citizens,” Beard said. “We do realize there are needs and there may be alternative methods of raising that revenue. There are those that feel like this is the best way to do it. I think we’re all very open and willing to discuss the merits and the downside as well. All of us have got some homework to do.”

By Kelly Marshall Fuller

Kfuller@gtowntimes.com