Public Hearing to Be Held October 8, 2026

Qualified voters in Beaufort County will find two questions regarding the Transportation Sales Tax on their ballot this fall. The first question asks voters to approve a one-cent sales tax for no more than nine years, or until $780 million is collected, whichever comes first. If approved, Beaufort County’s sales tax would increase from South Carolina’s base rate of 6% to 7%. Rent, mortgage payments, gas, unprepared grocery items, and medical prescriptions are exempt.

The second question asks voters to approve related general obligation bonds of up to $450 million, payable from the sales tax, which would allow the design and construction of transportation projects to begin sooner.

The referendum ordinance also establishes a Citizen-Led Oversight Committee to oversee and manage program expenditures, prioritize projects, and ensure program accountability and transparency.

Beaufort County Council and the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections will host a joint public hearing for the 2026 Sales Tax Referendum on Thursday, October 8 at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in Council Chambers at 100 Ribaut Road (map). 

The 2026 Transportation Sales Tax Referendum was developed after robust public outreach that included the work of a Transportation Advisory Committee: a citizen group that held public meetings to hear from municipalities, the school district, law enforcement, healthcare systems and members of the public to weigh the identified needs against a feasible program. Proposed projects were evaluated using data from the LCOG Safety Action Plan, the Lowcountry Area Transit Study, public and municipal support, congestion relief, safety considerations, and consistency with County Council's adopted guiding principles. Beaufort County Council passed the third and final reading of the 2026 TST Ordinance on June 22, 2026.

Residents are encouraged to find information about the 2026 TST referendum at www.BeaufortCountyPenny.com. The website includes helpful resources, FAQs, and an interactive map of the proposed projects.