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Colleton County council advances 1% capital-projects sales tax; debate centers on pool site and committee authority
Summary
Council advanced Ordinance 22-O-08 to place a countywide 1% capital-projects sales tax (up to seven years) on a referendum, 4–1, after debate over project ranking and whether the advisory committee was told of available property for a stand-alone pool. Public commenters urged a county aquatic center and better data on site options.
Colleton County Council voted 4–1 on June 7 to advance Ordinance 22-O-08, which would place a countywide 1% capital-projects sales and use tax on the ballot for up to seven years pending referendum approval.
Councilman Art Williams opposed moving the ordinance forward, saying the advisory committee that ranked proposed projects had been misled about available property for a stand-alone aquatic center. “My number one concern is that the committee that was formed, we have mislead them in believing that there was no property available for the stand alone pool facility,” Williams said, urging council to review South Carolina Code §4-10-30 and to make sure the public and committee were fully informed before finalizing the project list.
Chairman Steven Murdaugh responded that the capital-projects sales tax process vests final project ranking with the statutorily established committee and is designed to keep politics out of the selection process. “The county puts forth projects, the city puts forth projects… The commission by law is totally in their right, they don't have to recognize the manner in which we rank projects,” Murdaugh said, adding his priority was preparing the county for the referendum timetable.
The ordinance would allow the county to levy the 1% tax for up to seven years, with proceeds dedicated to the capital projects specified in the referendum language. Councilman Williams said the process has moved too quickly and called for broader buy-in. Several members of the public urged a county aquatic center or YMCA-style facility during the public-comment period, citing limited local options and travel to neighboring counties for swim lessons and rehabilitation.
Public commenters highlighted specific site ideas and operational concerns. Paula Todd, who identified herself as a lifelong Colleton County resident, suggested the old Colleton Stadium or expansion of the Ace Basin Recreation Facility as potential pool sites and said parking and overcrowding at the existing recreation center are barriers to access. “A pool anywhere in this county is going to attract,” she said. Michael Sweat described medical benefits from aquatic therapy and said residents spend subscription fees in other counties because local facilities are lacking.
The council’s vote to advance the ordinance was 4–1, with Williams opposed. The council signaled it will continue preparing materials and scheduling to place the measure before voters; no final project list or referendum date was announced at the meeting.
