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Staff proposes $56M package from 2018 sales-tax overcollection to finish Ladies Island corridor and prioritized pathways
Summary
Beaufort County staff proposed a balanced $56.07 million package that would use overcollection from the 2018 sales-tax program (collected $146.5M vs. $120M planned) to fund a set of Ladies Island road projects and prioritized pathway projects. Staff will present a resolution to council for a July vote.
County staff presented an updated accounting of the 2018 sales-tax program and recommended a set of road and pathway projects to the Beaufort County Council.
Staff said the original sales-tax program was $120 million but actual collections totaled $146.5 million. After previously allocating $15.5 million to pathways and securing approximately $5 million in grants for pathways, staff said $11 million of the overcollection remained unobligated. Using the remaining balances and other allocations (Ladies Island allotment of $23.3M and pathways $21.74M), staff presented a $56.07 million package of projects they said could be completed with the funds on hand.
On Ladies Island staff presented refined scopes and updated cost estimates for a set of projects that together sum to about $32.8 million (intersection improvements at 802/US-21, a roughly 4,000-foot widening near Walmart, a middle-school access route, scaled alternatives for Hazel Farm and Sunset/Miller drives, and Airport Frontage Road phase 2). Staff proposed using some of the $11 million unobligated balance to close the gap between the $23.3M previously set aside for Ladies Island and the new $32.8M estimate.
Staff also reviewed 24 pathway projects prioritized by readiness and design status; with updated costs staff said about $21.74M remains available for pathways. Council members discussed trade-offs including whether to use pervious pavement (which increases upfront cost and maintenance) versus concrete, how DOT would maintain completed pathways, and the implications of moving a Salem Road sidewalk to the opposite side of the road (additional utility and wetland mitigation costs). Staff said many pathway projects are at or near 65–70% design and several are ready for bidding; they recommended the council take final action on a project list at its July 14 meeting so staff can proceed with procurement and right-of-way work.
Staff noted a related decision point: $80 million previously committed for a Ladies Island / US-278 corridor project was reallocated to a bridge project and a new federal Bridge Investment Program (BIP) grant opportunity (application due Aug. 1) may bring additional funding to the corridor. Staff said it will work with DOT on any required grant application and keep council informed. No final council vote on the sales-tax project list occurred at the workshop; staff will bring a resolution and maps for public presentation and a July vote.
