Georgetown County is making a renewed push for the local option sales tax, a measure that has been on the ballot three times since the state law change in 1990. The tax would add one cent to the existing sales tax, raising it to eight cents, and requires that 71% of the revenue be returned to property owners as a credit against county and municipal taxes.
Why the tax matters to local families
Madison Cooper, chief external affairs officer for the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors, explains that the tax is essentially a property‑tax savings tool. “For us, the local option sales tax is a property tax savings, so that affects people’s access to housing,” she said. Because an estimated 40% of the sales tax is expected to be collected from visitors, local residents can benefit from a lower property‑tax bill while the county gains additional revenue for operations.
The measure previously failed by a narrow 54‑vote margin in the 2024 election, despite a capital‑project sales tax passing the same year and generating $18.6 million in its first year. “People couldn’t believe it was possible to save money by spending money,” Cooper noted, highlighting the counter‑intuitive appeal of the proposal.
Community outreach and polling
To address voter confusion, the county’s assistant administrator and director of Emergency Services, Brandon Ellis, has led an education campaign, holding 26 meetings across the county and offering an online tool for voters to estimate their potential tax credit. “The county’s done a great job with their education campaign. Hopefully the two complement each other,” Cooper added.
The Realtors conducted a poll in early September to gauge sentiment. The results were encouraging: respondents were “very positive” when informed that a significant portion of the tax would be paid by non‑residents. While the poll did not surface concerns about affordability, the county estimates the average household would pay roughly $50 more per year.
Support from local business groups
Both the Realtors and the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce are actively promoting the measure. The Chamber, led by President and CEO Beth Stedman, is funding a billboard and yard signs, while the Realtors are financing digital ads and mailings. Although Stedman could not be reached for comment, the Chamber’s involvement underscores the business community’s belief that the tax will fund essential services without overburdening residents.
One early‑voter couple at the Waccamaw Regional Recreation Center expressed initial unease, noting that sales taxes can disproportionately affect low‑income households. However, they ultimately supported the measure because of the anticipated visitor revenue, saying they had not given the referendum much thought before.
What’s at stake
If approved, the local option tax would provide a steady stream of funds for county operations while delivering a property‑tax credit to homeowners. Critics have questioned whether the promised credit will be fully realized, but the 71% credit requirement is enshrined in state law, and some council members have even suggested increasing that percentage.
The final informational session is scheduled for today at 6 p.m., hosted virtually through georgetowndecides.org. Voters are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and use the online calculator to see how the tax could affect their own bills.
Original reporting: Coastal Observer (Georgetown County) — read the source article.
