Crushing loss in Charleston tax vote casts doubt on Form I-526

The referendum question did not mention the Mark Clark expansion, but it was the only priority project listed in the referendum resolution and would have required the largest share of the money raised.

“It was clear to me last night that we could communicate better,” said council member Jenny Honeycutt, who supports Mark Clark’s expansion and lives on James Island.

“I thought the people who would benefit the most would support it,” she said, referring to Johns and James Islanders.

Business and real estate groups supported the referendum along with elected officials from Charleston and North Charleston counties.

With Mark Clark's funding at stake, officials are debating the pros and cons of a sales tax referendum.

Charleston County needs more than $1.8 billion to receive its share of the $2.33 billion project. The state’s contribution to the Mark Clark Fund is capped at $420 million.

“We’re contractually obligated to do this, so we’re going to have to find a way to finance it,” Boykin said. “It’s not going anywhere.”

Council Chairman Herb Sass said he was surprised by the referendum results.

“I thought we had a really good program,” he said. “I had so many people tell me they voted for her.”

In Mount Pleasant, where Sasse lives, the referendum failed by a margin of more than two to one, a difference of more than 20,000 votes.

Opponents have long argued that residents would be better served if the county made less expensive road and intersection improvements.

Figure: Mark Clark Extension (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy) — **MARK CLARK EXPANSION:** The proposed road would connect the West Ashley end of Interstate 526 to Johns Island and then to the James Island Connector. (SOURCE: ESRI)

File/Brandon Lockett/Staff

People on both sides of the dispute expect the district to return in two years with another tax referendum to present to voters. Potential sales tax money would also support green space preservation and public transit.

“We look forward to working with citizens and Charleston County to decide together which road projects should be prioritized to achieve a better referendum in 2026,” the Coastal Conservation League said, “one that prioritizes the completion of effective road solutions, restores purchasing power of the Greenbelt program, supports public transportation, addresses flooding on our roads and promotes pedestrian safety.”