Public input sought on proposed penny sales tax

A Beaufort County community education group is launching a county-wide effort to gather people’s opinions on a possible 1-percent educational sales tax to pay for capital projects.

All members of the public are invited, and CARE will provide residents’ feedback to the school district.

Superintendent Jeff Moss has proposed the 1 percent educational sales tax, estimated to generate about $282 million over 10 years. The money would fund the construction of several schools, maintenance projects like roof and HVAC replacements, and would contribute to lowering residents’ property taxes on the school district’s debt service.

Moss asked the body to make final decisions by April on the sales tax — including how many years it would last and whether the district would offer to the share money with the Technical College of the Lowcountry and the University of South Carolina-Beaufort. Then, the school board has until Aug. 15 to finalize a referendum question that would go before voters on the November ballot.

While CARE has been critical of the school district and board, co-founder Richard Bisi said his group is remaining open-minded on the proposed sales tax.

“Whether or not the school board finalizes the proposal and the referendum is placed on the ballot, the people of Beaufort County deserve to be heard,” Bisi said.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 10:52 AM with the headline "Public input sought on proposed penny sales tax."