Georgetown County residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of a one‑cent local‑option sales tax increase, a measure that will help bring property taxes back toward pre‑2025 levels. The referendum, which had been rejected by a narrow margin in 2024, passed this week by 3,358 votes, with 55.7% of countywide voters supporting the tax.
How the Tax Works
Under state law, 71% of the revenue generated by the new sales tax must be earmarked for reducing taxes on real estate, vehicles and other property. The remaining 29% can be used by Georgetown County and its three municipalities for general operations. The added revenue will allow the county to offset the property‑tax increases that resulted from the 2025 reassessment, which captured pandemic‑driven home‑value gains.
Local Support and Perspectives
The Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors, a vocal supporter of the measure, estimates that most property owners will see their taxes return to the levels they enjoyed before the reassessment. “Most owners should see a meaningful reduction,” the association said.
Community members expressed strong support. Keith Megginson of Murrells Inlet summed it up simply: “Why wouldn’t you? Our sales tax in this area of South Carolina is not outrageous to begin with.” Megginson and his wife, Lori, recently moved from Charlotte, where they felt “pummeled” by high taxes, and praised South Carolina’s reliance on sales‑tax‑based funding rather than square‑footage‑based property taxes.
Kate Parker, who works at Coastal Montessori Charter School, recalled seeing the benefits of a similar education tax in neighboring Horry County. “I know this isn’t for education, but it’s in the community interest,” she said after casting her ballot at Pawleys Island 2.
Opposition and Concerns
Not everyone is convinced. One unnamed voter from Pawleys Island called the tax a “carrot on a stick,” warning that the county could still raise property taxes in the future. She argued the measure primarily benefits second‑home owners and part‑time residents, saying, “They’ll get the biggest benefit. The rest of us who will be paying will see that immediately.”
Another resident expressed skepticism that the sales tax would fully offset future property‑tax hikes, noting that the county itself acknowledged possible increases but emphasized the tax’s role in mitigating them.
Geographic Breakdown
The measure passed in all nine precincts on the Waccamaw Neck. In the 2024 vote, it had lost in Pawleys Island 4, Murrells Inlet 3, and most precincts in the city of Georgetown. This turnaround reflects a broader shift in voter sentiment toward using sales‑tax tools to protect homeowners from rising property costs.
What’s Next?
With the tax now approved, Georgetown County’s sales tax rate will rise to 8%. County officials will begin allocating the new revenue according to the statutory split, aiming to deliver tangible tax relief to homeowners while supporting essential county services.
The successful referendum underscores the community’s willingness to adopt pragmatic fiscal solutions that align with traditional family values and the principle of individual liberty—allowing residents to keep more of their hard‑earned money while maintaining vital public services.
Original reporting: Coastal Observer (Georgetown County) — read the source article.
