[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:10] Speaker B: Hello and welcome to First Friday with Georgetown County. I'm Jackie Broach, Public Information Officer for the county. And our first guest today is a repeat visitor, our Assistant Administrator and Emergency Services director. You have that big long double title now, Brandon Ellis.
Brandon is going to be talking about something else that is familiar to a lot of you. On this year's ballot in November, you will again see a referendum for the local option sales tax. So Brandon, tell us why this is coming around again. Tell us what the local option sales tax would, would accomplish.
[00:00:47] Speaker C: Well, council approved for the local option sales tax to be back on the ref on the referendum, back on the ballot on November 3rd.
And basically this is a 1% sales and use tax.
This tax was really authorized back in 1990 by the state assembly and they authorized local governments and counties to implement a 1% sale and use tax with a kind of goal of offsetting property tax.
The way that the law is written, 71% of the total revenues generated by the property by the sales tax must go to reducing property tax for residents of Georgetown County.
That's not just on your home, that's not just on real property.
It's 4% homes, 6% second homes. It's vehicles, boats, anything you pay real property tax on. So there's a benefit there that reduces your property tax and takes 71% of that back to local government to offset those. That's not just at the county level. Also at the municipal level, the remaining 29% is then returned back to the individual municipalities in the county. And that money is used to really just support local government operations in whichever way those municipalities and county governments see fit.
[00:02:10] Speaker B: So as I understand it, when I got my tax bill after this was implemented, if it were implemented, it would have a credit on there that basically says lost discount or something local up against sales tax discount. So I just get some of that money back.
[00:02:23] Speaker C: Correct, Correct. That would, that would, it would show on the, on the actual tax bill itself, you would see the credit and that the funding, the actual money would come back to the county, that that money is collected at the sale of purchase. The county does not collect that money from the taxpayer at all.
It's collected at the point of purchase. Then it goes from that retailer that pays their taxes to the Department of Revenue who then sets the appropriate amount over to the state treasurer. The state treasurer then sends that check on a monthly basis to the respective jurisdiction, whether it's the county, the city of Georgetown, town of Andrews, or town of Pawley's Island.
[00:03:05] Speaker B: So I really think of it as being more like a tax swap. I'm swapping a portion of my property tax for the sales tax that people who don't live here are also paying into.
[00:03:15] Speaker C: That's correct. You know, you're seeing a reduction on your tax bill through that credit. You're still paying that 1% when you're going to buy certain items. There are included items and excluded items. But as you mentioned, you know, everyone pays this tax. It's not just residents of Georgetown county as visitors who come here on vacation. It's folks who are just passing through from Charleston to Myrtle beach, stop at a convenience store or a restaurant, and they're contributing to that tax revenue as well.
[00:03:48] Speaker B: And a lot of the things that I as a resident buy on a weekly basis are not subject to this tax. Food, prescription drugs, gasoline.
[00:03:56] Speaker C: Correct. Unprepared food. So groceries essentially are not subject to the tax. Prescription medications are not subject to the tax. Gasoline. We already have a fuel tax in South Carolina.
Basically, if an item is subject to the state 6% sales tax, it is subject to this sales tax.
Those items that are excluded from the state 6% sales tax are also excluded from this.
So there's a good balance there.
[00:04:23] Speaker B: Okay. And talk with us a little about what that. I think it's 29% that comes back to the county might end up being used for. I don't think there has been specifically, you know, a specific use determined yet, but there are a number of options, correct?
[00:04:37] Speaker C: Correct. You know, it could be used for really anything, a multitude of things. Things from public safety to infrastructure, roads, stormwater enhancements, really anything that the county sees fit. County council can make that determination through ordinance and allocate those funds as necessary year by year. And it can even be used to fully offset property taxes as a 100% offset, but that's not going to 100% remove property taxes.
It would, you know, and on most scenarios you see those funds and most other governments that have this used to
[00:05:13] Speaker B: enhance operations and hopefully that could in the future prevent the need to increase taxes in some other place. But of course, you know, we don't have details on that yet. It has been passed. We don't know what the budget will look like in future years, but that. That is a possibility that could offset taxes in some other ways. Correct. So just to be clear, we are not here to advocate for a local option sales tax. That is not our role. But we are heavily into the. The education component right now with the November election kind of just around the corner already.
But opportunities will be available for people to learn more about this or ask questions before they go to the polls in November.
[00:05:52] Speaker C: So we'll have several opportunities. We've already had a few as this recording is posted. But be on the lookout on our social media outlets and our web page. We're going to have several briefings just as we did last time when we did this in 2024. We'll have some, some workshops that occur during the evening hours geographically throughout the county as well as some what we're calling office hours where folks can drop in at pre identified locations, sit down. We'll be there throughout the day to answer questions. You know, come at your convenience, if you will. The first one of Those will be September 10th at the Murrells Inlet Community Center. From 9 till 3, you can stop by, you can see me, you can ask questions about local option sales tax. And as you mentioned, we're there to provide informative information.
The voters decide which way they want to vote. We're there to provide information on, you know, how it works, how the revenue is generated, where the revenue is going to go and how that property tax relief would work through the, the property tax relief fund that would be generated with this and kind of outline that for residents so they have a better understanding and they can make the most informed decision that they want to make on election day.
[00:07:06] Speaker B: Okay, so we have the one coming up on the 10th. Will there be others following in other locations?
[00:07:11] Speaker C: Yes, we're working currently. We have a whole list of dates that we're going to publish from Andrews to Georgetown, Tapalay's island, different locations we'll be out and about. Also we're going to have drop in events.
I know we have several events that we're going to drop in, set up tables. We've been welcomed with open arms to come and just set up and provide that information so that people understand. We want folks to understand exactly what this is instead of forming their own assumption that might not be completely true and that they have the facts. We want you to have the facts and the best information possible.
[00:07:48] Speaker B: Yeah, of course.
I have also heard some talk about a calculator that would let people get an idea of exactly what such a tax might save them. Is that still in the works?
[00:08:01] Speaker C: That's still in the works. We're working on trying to put together a calculator where the public could actually input their information.
One difficulty there is a lot of folks don't know their property value. They'd have to go search for that. So we're going to put some.
At the least, we'll have a cross reference sheet where we break it out. Like a residential property valued at this much would have an approximate lost or local option sales tax credit of X.
[00:08:27] Speaker B: And I assume it's the county's value, not necessarily the market value.
[00:08:31] Speaker C: Correct. It'll be the assessed value. So we would have that value there not just for your, your property, but also for vehicles. We want to provide that information and the calculator estimates for vehicles as well, just so folks can know. Because, you know, on a vehicle, you may not own your home, you may be a renter, but if you own a vehicle, local option sales tax property relief will actually support you as well because you'll see some refund on your vehicle taxes as well as a part of that, that program.
[00:08:58] Speaker B: Yeah, and I think you said this came about in the 90s. It was something that became allowed. I forget how many states or how many counties in the state have it,
[00:09:07] Speaker C: like 30, 32 counties across South Carolina currently have a local option sales tax in place and one municipality. So, you know, we're, we're one of the few counties in the state that does not have this in place.
So we want to educate folks before election day so they can make the best and most informed decision.
[00:09:26] Speaker B: And as I understand it, unlike the capital project sales tax, this does not have a cutoff date. Like it wouldn't expire after four years. It is in place until another resolution goes in place and voters would have to vote it up or down again. From what I understand, though, no county that has ever enacted one has ever asked to have it removed.
[00:09:44] Speaker C: Correct. There's no sunset date on this tax.
If it's passed, it'll be implemented until the current or future county council votes to bring the referendum back up again. And if the, even if the referendum is brought back up again, then the voters would have to have to vote to repeal the local option sales tax if it does pass in November.
[00:10:07] Speaker B: So voters, of course, saw this two years ago on the ballot and it very narrowly filled. I want to say it was like 40 or 50 votes that decided the difference. But at that time there were two sales taxes on the ballot. I think that there was a lot of confusion between the capital project sales tax and the local option sales tax at the time.
[00:10:26] Speaker C: That's what we're hearing as we're out in the field providing educational opportunities.
Folks were telling us that last time there were two sales taxes on the ballot and it was confusing. They didn't quite understand the language in the question. Is quite confusing as well.
[00:10:44] Speaker B: And we have to word it that way, though, like that's a legal requirement.
[00:10:47] Speaker C: We do. It's outlined in state law that basically the only thing that we can customize in the question itself is Georgetown. When we put Georgetown county in, like you said last time, the, the question failed by 54 votes.
As we've encountered folks out in the, in the public, we've.
We've been able to re. Educate some folks and provide a better understanding, take a little bit different approach this time.
We have a plethora of information available.
We have a dedicated webpage to this on our county website as well.
[00:11:20] Speaker B: Gtcounty sc.gov lost L O S T
[00:11:23] Speaker C: and it's loaded with information.
It'll be updated frequently throughout the process with new information. If we encounter, you know, the same frequently asked question or questions as we're encountering the public, engaging with the public, we're going to, you know, be sure that we put that question there because if we're hearing it throughout the county, more than likely a lot of folks have that question. So we want to ensure that we're answering questions, providing information and being transparent about the whole process. You know, that's our goal, is to, you know, provide folks with the tools and the information to make their own decision.
[00:11:57] Speaker B: All right, so on September 10th, if you're around Murrells Inlet, go and talk with Brandon at the Murrells Inlet Community center and keep a watch on our website and our social media accounts for future dates where you can learn more about the local option sales tax. Brandon, anything else to add?
[00:12:13] Speaker C: Also, if you're, you know, civic group or homeowners association or community is interested in an informative briefing, please feel free to reach out to me directly.
We'll get that scheduled. We have a cadre of folks who are educated in local option sales tax and can come out and discuss it with you and provide you with, you know, educational information.
If you're interested in that, please send me an
[email protected] all right, wonderful.
[00:12:43] Speaker B: Brandon, thank you so much for your time. We hope to get as many people as possible educated about this tax so they know what to expect on the ballot in November. As you stated, the wording of those questions can be.
[00:12:54] Speaker C: It's a lot.
[00:12:55] Speaker B: It's a lot. Yeah. All right, thanks, Brandon.
[00:12:58] Speaker C: Thank you.
[00:12:59] Speaker B: Our next guest is Kelly Robertson Slagle, our economic development director. And if it looks like she's glowing just a little bit, it's because she recently had a new grandbaby Congratulations, Kelly.
[00:13:09] Speaker A: Thank you. Thank you.
[00:13:11] Speaker B: Kelly is here to pick up on a topic we talked a little bit about with her about a year ago, the Port of Georgetown. We've got some very exciting things going on out there, including a master plan. We recently contracted with a firm on that. So tell us what's the latest with that, what's happening over at the port.
[00:13:28] Speaker A: Great. Well, thank you, Jackie, for inviting me on to talk about what's the latest and greatest with the port master plan.
You are correct. We have a lot of exciting things actually in. In Georgetown as a whole. Today, I will talk about the master plan.
The last time I was in to talk with you, I had talked about, we were going out for requests for proposal for consultants to help us with the master plan. We have since awarded that master plan to Seaman Whiteside and Associates. They're a fantastic consulting firm out of Mount Pleasant, so they're neighbors just to the south. And they have been working with us on the full master planning process.
They've already been out there. They're starting some of the engineering, kind of some of the nooks and crannies, looking at the infrastructure, what we currently have, what is under the ground, you know, all of that fun stuff.
But what I really wanted to talk to you about today is kind of the next phase of the master plan, and that is really our public outreach portion.
We're very excited about getting our community involved, spending some time with the community, with residents, with business owners and folks that are interested, and, you know, providing input on what they would like to see.
[00:14:47] Speaker B: Well, good news. As the person who manages Facebook for the county, I happen to know that there are a lot of people with a. Opinions and they would like to share them.
[00:14:54] Speaker A: Absolutely, absolutely. And it's a good thing that we're neighbors. We, we. We. We literally share the same floor at work. So definitely, you know, I know that you'll be a good partner with us and, and getting the information out to the audience, but we're looking at, you know, being able to have that outreach in a couple different ways.
Right now we are looking at opportunities to participate in a couple community events that are going to be up and coming. And certainly we'll work through Facebook, through the county Facebook page to make sure that we get that out to the audience.
And those are really just informal. We'll have a booth of information there. We'll have staff there. Seaman Whiteside and their team will be there to really just ask questions. You know, what would you like to see? What are some of your thoughts you know, I know people, you know, visit places outside of Georgetown. There may be some ideas that you've seen in other communities.
We want to hear about it. We want to hear about some things that you've seen elsewhere or things that, you know, you've just have been on your mind.
If the port could turn into something different, what would that be? What would it look like? Maybe it's an extension of the Riverwalk around there. Maybe it is. You know, let's make sure that we're including the history in some way, shape or form, whether that be through art or something along those lines. I mean, there's a lot of different ideas that, you know, have already floated up. But we want to make sure, sure that we're hearing that in addition to those community events, we are planning on October 22nd at 6pm it will be at the Howard center, mostly because it gives us a little bit more room. It is going to be interactive. Certainly the, the early part, we want to make sure that we're providing the most updated information about where we are in the master planning process.
But then we are going to be breaking out into groups where, you know, different topics, different things. So that way people can kind of gr gravitate towards what they're most interested to really go in a little bit more in depth with that. So again, that's October 22nd at 6pm and that's going to be at Howard center, really directly across from where International Paper is on the West End.
For folks that can't be in person. We recognize not everybody is able to come in person. We didn't want to leave you out.
So we are actually in process right now. And certainly, Jackie, you've been on the team helping us to develop our web presence, but we will have a port master plan, website presence.
We are hoping. I mean, I know they're working on it right now. So we're hoping to get that up live here in the next week or so.
And as a part of that web presence, there will be an online form that folks can go online, click the link, fill out, provide your, you know, your comments, your ideas, your creativity, hit submit, and that will also come to, to those consultants in that master plan. So it is another way for folks to be able to provide INP if you're not able to come and spend time with us in person.
[00:18:00] Speaker B: So one thing that I see on Facebook is there's always some skepticism when the government says they want public input. Well, they're not really going to listen. They're just going to do what they want to do anyway.
You do want to do what the community wants for this property, right?
[00:18:14] Speaker A: Absolutely. And I go back to the original request for proposals.
Anybody who took the time, and I know a lot of people did, because we shared it. Jackie, you. You and I both shared it a lot during that process.
There was a whole section on public input that was very important for us when we were designing and going through this process, because, you know, we, meaning the county, when we received ownership of the port, you know that we take that very seriously, quite frankly, and we know that it's taxpayer dollars.
We take that stewardship of that port. We recognize the history and, you know, how important the property has been to this community for many years. And as you know, because of that, we feel that that public input, you know, again, community, and I mean, residents, business, community, local elected officials, you know, we're looking at it from all perspectives.
So it is really important to us. And that's part of the reason that we selected Seaman whiteside. We had 17 different respondents, so we had a great. We had a variety to choose.
Felt like our team was Seaman Whiteside. You know, they really showed us and understood the importance of that. The community piece and that community outreach piece.
[00:19:34] Speaker B: Yeah. So, Kelly, what do you envision happening at the port? What would you put on your comment?
[00:19:40] Speaker A: Oh, I didn't know I was going to be asked that question.
You know, obviously, you know, they're. They come to us from an economic development meaning. Seaman Whiteside, you know, they're like, hey, from an economic development perspective, you know, what. What are some of your ideas, you know, with that? And certainly from an economic development perspective, we want to make sure that it is appropriate development, that it makes sense. Meaning that it doesn't. Look, you know, we know that we have amazing historic Front Street. We know that there is such an opportunity with Liberty Steel and the redevelopment there. And then there's this natural, you know, connection as you come around. I call it the horseshoe. I don't know if anybody else calls it that. That's what I call it. You know, coming around the harbor there, there's like a natural horseshoe around.
I would love personally to see some connectivity there.
I am a. You know, you've heard me say this. I'm a big proponent of appropriate economic development, community economic development. And I never. I always cringe when I go to other communities and. And you just look around and it looks like, wow, the left hand wasn't talking to the right hand when this was done. I like that connectivity. I like to.
That you know, that planning and that, you know, that there was some thought behind it, whether it is in that the uses are complimentary, that the community, you know, the transient, you know, being at walkability, all of that seems to like kind of flow. And it makes sense to me. That makes for really good economic development. Now, as far as uses, I really can't comment at this point because part of what the master plan is going to provide for us that we ask them to look at is highest and best use.
And so that way we're looking long term and we're not looking short term, quite frankly.
And we want whatever ends up, you know, whatever ends up going there. And, you know, we're, we're not. This is not a development plan. I want to make sure that folks understand that a master plan is not a development plan.
A master plan really gives us the tool to educate us. So that way when we work towards that development plan, we know, we know what the highest and best use is. We know what the infrastructure looks like. We know really, you know, environmentally what we can do there versus what we can. So it allows our elected leadership and those that, you know, will make those ultimate decisions to really be smart about it as they move through.
So that part we don't know yet.
But I am very excited to be able to get the results of the master plan to say, wow, based on what our community and, you know, economic impact, we have room for this or we have room for that.
But the exciting thing is overall, when you look at the project holistically and even with the neighboring parcels with Liberty Steel and with International Paper, it's really a once in a lifetime opportunity for some really, really dynamic redevelopment through there. And, you know, I'm here now, I live here now, as you mentioned, I have a grandbaby here now.
[00:23:03] Speaker B: You're invested?
[00:23:04] Speaker A: I am. I am invested. And, you know, I'm excited because, you know, I want to make sure that this is truly a legacy project and it will bring some, you know, bring some really good economic development and some good community development to Georgetown, to the city of Georgetown, to the county of Georgetown for many, many generations to come, like International Paper has done in the past and like Liberty Steel has done in the past. And so we're excited. I mean, I, I said it when I first started. To you, I'm like a kid in a candy store. I am still very much like a kid in a candy store as we move through this project. So thank you again for inviting me in.
[00:23:47] Speaker B: I hope the future is bright for all of us October 22nd at the Howard Center. Come out and talk with Kelly and the consultants and let them know what your thoughts are for what should happen with the port. Kelly, anything else to add?
[00:24:03] Speaker A: I hope everybody I don't know. Let me say that I will say I don't know when this is going to air, but I hope everybody has a great and very safe holiday weekend. Enjoy the time with your family and we look forward to seeing you over the next couple of weeks. And I'm looking forward to hearing all the ideas that you have with the master plan. So thank you.
[00:24:20] Speaker B: Thank you so much, Kelly.
That's all for this month's first Friday with Georgetown County. Thank you so much for joining us. As always, I'd like to bring you a list of important events to note coming up this month.
As usual, there are several public meetings scheduled this month. County Council meets twice on Tuesday, September 8 and Tuesday, September 22.
Both meetings will begin at 5:30pm in County Council Chambers. If you can't make it to the County Council or planning initiation meetings, be sure to watch our
[email protected] gtcountysc the Board of Elections and Voter Registration will meet on Wednesday, September 9th at 5:30pm at the office of Elections and Voter Registration on Hazard Street.
The Library Board will meet the following week on Thursday, September 17th at 5:30pm at the Georgetown Library on Cleland Street.
The Planning Commission will also meet on September 17th at 5:30pm in County Council Chambers.
Lastly, the Tourism Management Commission will meet on Thursday, September 24th at 1:00pm Residents of County Council District 3 will have an opportunity to meet with their Council Representative, Bishop ernie Cooper, from 4 to 6pm on Monday, September 14th at the Lambert Town Community Center. Come meet with fellow community members and Bishop ernie Cooper, District 3 County Council representative, to discuss issues and concerns in the community. All are welcome to attend. Meet Bishop Cooper, ask questions and share feedback on community needs.
As Brandon mentioned earlier, Join us on Thursday, September 10th at the Murrells Inlet Community center for an informational session on the Local Option Sales Tax.
If you can't make it to that session, you can find other upcoming opportunities to learn
[email protected] lost also, don't forget, while we have not yet seen any local impacts from the 2026 hurricane season, it's always important to be prepared.
Join Emergency Manager Lauren Wallace at 2pm on Tuesday, September 15th at the Andrews Library for preparedness matters Year round readiness for every great classroom and as always, your local library branch has several exciting programs to choose from this month. Check out the library's calendar on our website for a full list of events.
Lastly, as a reminder, county offices, the landfills and recycling centers are closed Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. Additionally, any facilities normally open on Saturdays will also be closed tomorrow, September 5th.
For more events, please visit our website gtcountysc.gov Join us next month for another First Friday with Georgetown County.
