Our view: Hone proposed sales tax list to true needs

In 2014, Beaufort County Council backed away from asking residents and visitors to pay more in sales tax.

The reason? The tax increase would have paid for a grab bag of wish-list projects — not real public needs.

We fear that a similar problem could arise again as Beaufort County leaders take another stab at crafting a tax proposal to put on the November ballot. The proposed 1 percent sales tax under consideration would raise about $120 million over four years and could be extended to eight years.

Already, the list includes several questionable requests.

That includes $30 million to build an arts and entertainment venue on Hilton Head Island. Few details have been released (or perhaps even worked out) on how such a venue would operate and where. And no compelling evidence has been presented to prove visitors would come to the venue. Nor does anyone know whether Hilton Head residents are willing to support the operational and maintenance costs on such a facility. How does it mesh with the current, financially struggling arts center that is generously supported by some $400,000 annually in tax funds?

Also questionable are a fair number of small projects that are wants — not needs — that are better suited for line items in annual budgets. This might include millions for trails, greenspace and park improvements as well as a $300,000 pickleball facility for Port Royal.

County leaders must cull the “wants” from the list. That will leave a much shorter and less expensive list of true needs that taxpayers could possibly support.

Contenders include new EMS facilities in Pritchardville and Burton, where emergency response times lag behind the rest of the county, and engineering/design work for a new bridge to Hilton Head Island — the only evacuation routes for island residents and tourists in hurricane season.

We hope Beaufort County Council and its appointed panel that is considering the funding requests won’t squander this opportunity.

Real public safety needs exist across the county. They shouldn’t be held hostage by wishes. Again.

This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 6:54 PM with the headline "Our view: Hone proposed sales tax list to true needs."