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Beaufort region leaders outline $950 million transportation referendum and sewer projects
Summary
Joe Passman and regional partners described a proposed 10‑year, $950 million regional transportation referendum, listed priority projects (including workforce training and a Savannah River Site solar project) and gave cost estimates and timelines for sewer and pathway projects; Jasper County presented a parallel 15‑year $470 million proposal.
Joe Passman, addressing Beaufort County leaders, summarized a recent regional advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., and the state capital and set out a proposed 10‑year, $950 million regional transportation referendum that county leaders will educate voters about ahead of the November ballot.
Passman said two projects have state approval as regionally significant: workforce training investments to support new manufacturing jobs in surrounding counties, and a solar project at the Savannah River Site. He also reviewed local water and sewer priorities, saying the AllJoy project, Shell Point, Levy Road and Old Bailey are top candidates for sewer extension and cited preliminary cost estimates: AllJoy about $15,000,000; Shell Point roughly $37,000,000; Levy roughly $53,000,000; Old Bailey about $10.5 million.
Context and accountability: Passman told the meeting the 2018 referendum collected roughly $120 million (he also said an extra $15 million was added), and stressed that “we have every single penny accounted for.” He explained why some projects were not yet built — permitting, municipal consent and the need to collect funds — and described a two‑to‑three‑year design and permitting timeline for a planned bridge project that crosses federal property.
Regional coordination: A Jasper County representative reported two readings are complete there and described a Jasper proposal for a 15‑year, $470 million referendum that would allocate 20% of collections to greenbelt initiatives; speakers urged marketing the referendums as a regional package so voters understand regional benefits.
Next steps: Passman said educational materials and a public information campaign will be prepared; he emphasized county staff will educate but not advocate, and that additional public meetings and an ad hoc committee will be used to prioritize projects and report on expenditures.
No formal vote occurred during the meeting; councilors and staff will continue the outreach and planning process ahead of the referendum.
