MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the final forum on the RIDE 4 referendum on Tuesday, with an opportunity for Horry County voters to ask questions.

“I think people being informed about the full list of projects is a very good way to understand what the Ride 4 program is,” said Jimmy Gray, MBACC advocacy director.

Horry County residents have been paying this tax for over 25 years, from RIDE 1 to 3. If they pass RIDE 4, they will continue to pay the tax until 2050.

RIDE 4’s critics, the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, also attended the final forum.

Deputy Director Trapper Fowler says it’s a “no” because they have problems with some of the long list of projects related to the referendum.

“Unfortunately, the way they structured this list of projects, yes, we have to reject everything,” Fowler said.

Myrtle Beach resident John Ward says he has seen the intense growth within the city and county over the past four years and understands the need for funds to maintain roads.

“I’m very familiar with all the growth that’s going on, and it’s constant maintenance of roads and infrastructure, and we need that money for that,” Ward said.

If the referendum doesn’t get a 51% vote in favor on Nov. 5, it’s possible it could end up on the 2026 general election ballot. If that happens, Gray says it’s possible property taxes could increase to cover the costs of some of the projects.

“What the local government could do is wait a couple of years and vote again, or what they could do is raise our property taxes and make you and I and the hundreds of Horry County residents pay for it.” Gray said.

For a closer look at RIDE 4, click here.

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