Sales-tax increase to come before Beaufort County school board today

A controversial sales-tax proposal for school construction is scheduled to be discussed today in a special meeting of the Beaufort County Board of Education.

Superintendent Jeff Moss has presented the school board's finance committee with a plan to ask voters to approve a 1 percent sales-tax increase that would generate more than $480 million. It would also include property tax relief.

The school board is scheduled today to hear a presentation on its funding options.

The school board's interest in raising the sales tax to pay for school construction, improvements and other projects has concerned some County Council members, who are also discussing a 1 percent capital sales tax increase to bring in revenue for roads and other projects.

Any sales tax rise would require a countywide referendum, which could occur in November.

The school board will meet at 4 p.m. at the school district offices, 2900 Mink Point Blvd., in Beaufort.

This story was originally published February 1, 2016 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Sales-tax increase to come before Beaufort County school board today."