Proposed Ride Four plan to head to county council; includes 25 year sales tax

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - Horry County’s Ride Four program is on its way to becoming a reality-- it just needs to clear a few more hurdles.

One of the projects on the finalized list is widening River Oaks Drive.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Rafi Avigdor, who lives on River Oaks Drive. “Since we moved, it became even busier these last three, four years.”

Another project-- making Highway 90 wider.

“I think it’ll help some, I really do, because the traffic is real busy when I come out in the morning,” said Loretta Johnson, who lives off Highway 90. “It takes me sometimes fifteen to twenty minutes to get on Highway 90.”

There are 27 projects included in Ride Four.

But, the difference with Ride Four compared to previous projects is if it’s passed, it could span 25 years instead of seven.

“If we commit to a longer period of time, then we’re able to commit to these larger projects,” said William Goldfinch, who sits on the Ride Four Sales Tax Commission.

Like the other programs, Ride Four will be funded by a sales tax-- a penny for every dollar.

Goldfinch said the tax isn’t something that should scare residents, and two-thirds of it will come from tourists.

“This is not a new tax, this is not an additional tax, this is a continuation of what you’ve already been paying for, you know, 25 years essentially,” said Goldfinch.

But, one resident, Tammy Baker, tells WMBF News she is concerned about this plan and doesn’t plan to vote “yes” if it is on the ballot in November.

“My first concern is 25 years is too long,” said Baker. “We need to stop and reevaluate our needs every five to seven years.”

Baker also said she feels some of the highway and interstate extensions in the plan are unnecessary and too expensive.

“People don’t have a problem getting here, they have a problem getting around once they get here,” said Baker.

The Ride Four proposal will go to Horry County Council in April. If the council approves it Horry County residents will see it on their November ballots.

Copyright 2024 WMBF. All rights reserved.