Berkeley Co. Council Votes Down Hospitality Tax

Berkeley County Councilman Tim Callanan called the county's proposed 1 percent hospitality tax increase a tactic, which attempted to halt Goose Creek's proposed 2 percent hospitality tax increase. 

The county's measure died in the second of third readings Monday night by unanimous vote, as Goose Creek City Council has sped up the process to push its proposed tax ahead of the county's. 

The hospitality tax would be on prepared foods and beverages. Goose Creek was looking to raise the money to expand recreation and encourage tourism in the area. 

City Councilmen said last week the rush was on because Berkeley County had passed the first of three readings for a 1 percent hospitality tax. If the measure went to third reading, the city could only raise 1 percent — effectively cutting the projected $1 million in additional revenue in half. 

But County Council never planned to enact the 1 percent tax. Callanan said he hoped to get to second reading to have a "loaded gun" so that City Council would abandon the measure since it would be unable to raise the funds it wants. 

But the tactic didn't work.

"Once we vote it down, we are no longer a threat to them and they can't use us as an excuse as to why they're raising taxes," Callanan said.

Goose Creek City Council will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall to discuss the 2 percent hospitality tax increase. The second and final reading is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.