percent sales tax countywide to pay for future road infrastructure in the Myrtle Beach area, including what would be a bypass to alleviate traffic problems in Myrtle Beach and the future Carolina Forest development. South Carolina Governor David Beasley created a local task force in May 1996 to determine short-term and long-term goals for the greater Grand Strand. The concept that came out of the rejection of the sales tax increase would be called "Plan B." The commission set up became what is currently known as the Road Improvement and Development Effort, or RIDE, headed by Gary Loftus, a former highway commissioner. To avoid the difficulties that occurred with the failed tax increase, the committee sought ideas from the community. A series of public hearings were held in late June and early July 1996 to determine what would be best for the new roadway. A predominant idea at the time for funding would call for a 1.5 percent hospitality tax, along with state funding, to finish the SC 22 and construct the Carolina Bays Parkway. In August, the committee made several recommendations. One proposed that instead of the $750 million cost associated with the entire parkway, only a portion would be built around N. Myrtle Beach to create a bypass around it costing $150 million. Some members of the task force and Myrtle Beach city council were concerned that the road would be built farther away from the traffic problem areas. Had the parkway not been built until years later, the costs would have increased dramatically due to future homes in Carolina Forest in the path of the roadway. Another issue with the road was how much traffic it would carry and how many lanes it should carry. The recommendation was given as two lanes with land available for a future six lanes. A later committee suggestion proposed four lanes. When the highway was finally built, it would be six lanes throughout. When the Carolina Bays Parkway Task Force finished up its proposals on September 11, 1996, it asked for South Carolina to pay for $20 million per year in RIDE road projects and $15 million per year from the 1.5 percent proposed hospitality tax. The northern third of the parkway would be funded in a larger $550 million program. The following month, Horry County Council approved the hospitality tax for "Plan B" in an 8–3 vote. The tourism industry