The Beaufort County Executive Committee and County Council Monday. Below are some agenda highlights from each meeting.

Special Called Executive Committee

Motions arising from Executive Committee Executive Session include:

• Janet Shelley is appointed to Beaufort Memorial Hospital Board
• Chair Alice Howard is appointed to the Southern Carolina Alliance Board of Directors and Executive Committee
  These appointments require full Council approval before they are official.
• The committee recommended that County Council engage the law firm Howell Gibson & Hughes, P.A. to provide legal representation and advisory services on matters presented to or before the Council and requested the committee’s decision be forwarded to County Council’s meeting that night. 

All motions were passed unanimously.

Watch the Executive Committee meeting here.

County Council Meeting

Consent agenda Highlights:

• Hawkers and Peddlers 2026 License Fees
  There will be no increase in these license fees. This was approved without objection by Finance Committee.
  
  
• Beaufort County Historical Society: Historical Marker on County Property
  The Finance Committee approved Beaufort County Historical Society's request to place a Union encampment historical marker near the tennis courts at Bladen and Boundary Street, as this is County property. The Beaufort County Historical Society has already received approval from the South Carolina Historical Society and the City of Beaufort Historical Society. All maintenance to the sign will be the responsibility of the Beaufort County Historical Society.
  
  
• Next item on the agenda was the appointments of County citizens to various Boards and Commissions. All were voted on unanimously.

Ordinances for Third Reading
An ordinance authorizing the County Administrator to execute necessary documents and provide funding for a property purchase at 1451 Ribaut Road (formerly a Parker's Gas Station). Council voted unanimously for authorization.

Ordinances for Second Reading
Two ordinances were voted on unanimously:

• An ordinance authorizing the abandonment of a drainage easement off Gumwood Drive on northern Lady's Island
  
  
• An ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a drainage easement on Leo Green Road

These were passed unanimously.

Ordinances for First Reading
An ordinance adding a new section to Beaufort County Code of Ordinances to prohibit and make unlawful the discharge of firearms in certain unincorporated areas. Council passed this ordinance 7-4. 

Resolutions
A resolution authorizing the County Administrator to execute documents and provide funds to Open Land Trust for a conservation easement for the Simmons Tract on Hilton Head Island. Council passed this 10-1.

A resolution to revise policies and procedures for processing applications for County 3% Local Accommodations Tax Funds and 2% Hospitality Tax Funds
This will revise the new policies and procedures and include the application period. This was approved with no objection at Finance Committee.

This revision will allow County departments to apply for funds to help offset project costs. Council passed this 7-4. 

Additional Item for Discussion

• Recommend engagement letter be sent to law firm Howell Gibson & Hughes for advisory services to County Council. Council passed this unanimously.

To watch the full County Council meeting, click here.

Note: this is a selection of items from the Council Committee Meeting Agendas. To watch the meeting in its entirety, download the agenda and packet, view minutes and more, please visit www.beaufortcountysc.gov. 

County Administrator Michael Moore recognized several County employees for their years of service to Beaufort County.