COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC — Local voters delivered a mixed verdict on countywide ballot measures, saying “cheers” to expanded alcohol sales in rural, unincorporated areas while soundly rejecting a proposed local sales tax increase intended to fund public infrastructure and emergency services.
Rural Alcohol Sales Win Voter Approval: Cheers!
In a move greeted with open arms from rural business owners looking to level the commercial playing field, voters passed measures legalizing off-premise sales of beer, unfortified wine, and mixed beverages across unincorporated parts of Columbus County.
Prior to the vote, legal alcohol sales were strictly confined to incorporated municipalities, including Whiteville, Chadbourn, Tabor City, Bolton, Brunswick, and Lake Waccamaw. The disparity left rural gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants operating under severe commercial restrictions compared to their municipal counterparts.
The Board of Commissioners placed the measures on the ballot following a 6–1 vote to allow voters to decide each alcohol category independently, opening new revenue avenues for rural retailers across the county.
Voters Shoot Down Quarter-Cent Sales Tax Hike
While voters embraced expanded commercial sales, they drew the line at higher taxes at the register. A proposed quarter-cent / 0.25% local option sales tax increase was rejected by voters, halting a measure county leaders hoped would generate over $1.7 million in annual dedicated revenue.
The proposed tax would have raised the overall sales tax rate in Columbus County from 6.75% to 7.00%. Proponents argued the measure would capture revenue from tourists and out-of-county travelers passing through the area, shifting funding burdens away from local property owners.
The targeted revenues were designated for critical county capital needs, including: Education: Capital improvements for local school systems and Southeastern Community College. Emergency Services: Upgrades to emergency medical infrastructure and public safety equipment and Recreation: Funding for county parks and public civic facilities.
Despite a push from supporters to secure non-property tax funding for pressing infrastructure needs, skepticism over overall tax burdens prevailed at the ballot box.
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