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1-cent sales tax referendum added to November ballot in Berkeley County


1-cent sales tax referendum added to November ballot in Berkeley County. (Photo: Berkeley County Government/Facebook)
1-cent sales tax referendum added to November ballot in Berkeley County. (Photo: Berkeley County Government/Facebook)
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The Berkeley County Council Monday approved a countywide referendum on the ballot for the general election in November.

The third and final reading of an ordinance to add the referendum was approved during the council's meeting on Monday, August 8.

If passed by voters, the referendum would add a special 1 percent sales and use tax in Berkeley County to help fund roadway and infrastructure projects throughout the county.

Read More: Berkeley County leaders look to extend 1-cent sales and use tax

Voters will be asked two separate questions.

Question 1 will ask if voters will to fund $587 million across seven years "for financing the costs of highways, roads, streets, bridges, and other transportation-related projects facilities and drainage facilities related thereto, including but not limited to:

  • Capacity Projects
  • Major Resurfacing Projects
  • Local Street Resurfacing (Streets to be determined through input from SCDOT, County and Municipal officials, as well as the public)
  • Intersection Improvements
  • Other Transportation Projects
  • Paving Projects (Various dirt roads throughout the County as determined by the County governing body and staff)
  • Greenbelt Preservation Projects"

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Question 2 will ask voters if they are in favor of issuing $89 million in County Obligation Bonds from the special sales and use tax to fund the completion of such projects.

“Roads are a top priority among our citizens and the chief focus of County Council. For more than a decade, the One-Cent Sales Tax Program has been highly successful for our County. It gives us the ability to deliver quality of life roadway and infrastructure improvements across Berkeley County communities to ultimately improve citizens’ lives. The list of projects included in this new referendum is the result of input and months-long collaborations among the County, local municipalities, and our valued citizens. A vote for continuing this referendum will allow us to not only provide traffic and road condition solutions at a faster pace, but also allow the County to preserve, protect, and provide access to greenspace," Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb said in a statement.

The election will be Tuesday, November 8.

Berkeley County established its One-Cent Sales Tax Program in a 2008 referendum. A similar referendum was passed in 2014.

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