Beaufort County’s proposal will make us safer, protect environment

I support Beaufort County’s referendum that will increase the sales tax by 1 percent because construction of the projects will make Beaufort County a better place.

Growth in Beaufort County is creating needs for new and expanded infrastructure, from highways to EMS stations and parks, but also the opportunity to create amenities we could not previously afford. By improving U.S. 278, upgrading the Island recreation center, creating safe pathways to schools, improving water quality in the May River and building a parking garage in downtown Beaufort, we will improve life for everyone in our communities. We are one of the great places to live in the United States and we need to keep it that way.

The one-percent tax is the best way to pay for these capital projects. While some of these projects can be deferred, others are immediate. The law enforcement/public safety communications system is an immediate need as are the Jenkins Island traffic improvements and the improvements to the substructure of Beaufort’s Waterfront Park. These projects alone represent millions of dollars, which will have to be raised from borrowing if the referendum does not pass. Given the choice between property-tax supported borrowing with its associated interest costs and a temporary one-percent addition to our relatively low sales tax, I have no problem making a decision, especially since between 35 percent and 40 percent of the sales tax will be paid by visitors. There is no better deal for the residents and taxpayers of Beaufort County.

The process of making the list was open, critical and rational. The members of the Capital Projects Sales Tax Committee worked for six months to pare down the over $165 million worth of projects submitted by participating governments. Meetings of the group were public, open and televised on the county’s channel. Not everyone on the committee liked every project, but all members voted for the final list, which met County Council’s target: a four-year tax that would generate $120 million. County Council unanimously approved the final list.

“Needs” were separated from “wants.” The committee endeavored to separate truly valuable projects from those that seemed unnecessary. All proposed projects had to be “sponsored” by the cities or the county. Each entity prioritized its projects and the committee focused on the highest priorities. This is a big, diverse county and each area has different priorities. One person’s “pork” is another person’s “critical need.” The most obvious example is the Hilton Head Island arts and cultural center which was Hilton Head Town Council’s highest priority. Moreover, funding for most of the selected projects was cut from the original request. All parts of the county will benefit.

This is truly a countywide project list. From solid waste collection on Daufuskie Island to safe walkways to schools on Lady’s Island; from water quality improvements for the May River to Waterfront Park foundation rebuilding in Beaufort; from U.S. 278 safety improvements to key infrastructure for Port Royal’s port redevelopment; from new radios for public safety vehicles to septic tank elimination in Bluffton, construction of these projects will make Beaufort County a better place.

This story was originally published November 3, 2016 at 2:45 PM with the headline "Beaufort County’s proposal will make us safer, protect environment."