Saluda County — Capital Project Sales Tax

What it does

Must a special one percent (1%) sales and use tax be reimposed in Saluda County, South Carolina for seven (7) years, beginning May 1, 2027, to raise funds to be used to pay for the following capital improvement projects: Project Description Amount Construction of a Saluda County Recreation and Wellness Center $5,700,000 Construction of a new fire station in the Duncan area of Saluda County $800,000 Construction of a new fire substation on Fruit Hill Road in Saluda County $230,000 Improvements to and expansion of the current Saluda County Sheriff’s Office $3,500,000 Improvements to the Saluda County recreation area on Webb Road $500,000 Construction of a new Town of Saluda fire department/station $1,750,000 Construction of a Saluda County Emergency Medical System (EMS) substation in the Traffic Circle area of Saluda County $1,150,000 Construction of a Saluda County Emergency Medical System (EMS) substation in the Town of Ridge Spring $1,150,000 Construction of an extension of the Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority sewer line(s) to the Traffic Circle located in Saluda County $3,013,750 Total $17,793,750.00 and pending the receipt of such sales and use tax revenue, must Saluda County be authorized to issue and sell general obligation bonds of Saluda County in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $18,000,000.00 to defray the costs of the capital projects described above plus issuance costs, and to pledge to the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds the receipts of the sales and use tax authorized hereby, provided that in the event such sales and use tax is inadequate for the payment of such bonds, such bonds shall be payable from an ad valorem tax imposed on all taxable property in Saluda County?

A YES vote means

Saluda County would reimpose a 1% sales tax for seven years from May 1, 2027, to raise $17,793,750 for a recreation and wellness center, fire and EMS stations, Sheriff's Office expansion, recreation and a sewer line, and could issue up to $18,000,000 in bonds repaid from the tax, or from property taxes if it falls short.

A NO vote means

The 1% capital projects sales tax would not be reimposed, and these bonds would not be issued.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

Saluda County Council unanimously approved third reading of Ordinance No. 05-26 on July 13, 2026, after a public hearing, according to the council minutes.

The ordinance reimposes a one percent sales and use tax under the state Capital Project Sales Tax Act, subject to a countywide referendum, and sets the projects, the maximum collection period and the maximum net proceeds.

The council chairman said the county would hold seven informational meetings from late August into September on the projects proposed by the county's Capital Projects Sales Tax Committee.

Put on the ballot by Saluda County Council, unanimous, July 13, 2026 (Ord. No. 05-26, third reading).

From official source.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Saluda County mean?

Saluda County would reimpose a 1% sales tax for seven years from May 1, 2027, to raise $17,793,750 for a recreation and wellness center, fire and EMS stations, Sheriff's Office expansion, recreation and a sewer line, and could issue up to $18,000,000 in bonds repaid from the tax, or from property taxes if it falls short.

What does a NO vote on Saluda County mean?

The 1% capital projects sales tax would not be reimposed, and these bonds would not be issued.

How many votes does Saluda County need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Saluda County?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.