The Beaufort County Community Services and Public Safety Committee and Natural Resources Committee met Monday. Below are some agenda highlights from the meeting.

Assistant County Administrator Report
Assistant County Administrator John Robinson gave a brief update on capital improvement projects happening in several public safety departments: the stucco exterior of the County Detention Center was repaired and upgraded; fencing around the rec yard and roof were completed, and upcoming projects include continued plumbing repairs and upgrades, updates to the public lobby, painting, new windows, and refreshed men's and women's locker rooms.

Interviews for a new County Detention Center Director continue and should wrap up in the next week or so. 

Five new employees were at County orientation and will be joining County EMS. EMS facility is on target for upgrades, repairs and some space reorganization. 

Watch his presentation here.

Presentation

Kim Konte, Founder and Executive Director of Non-Toxic Neighborhoods gave a presentation explaining the purpose and goals of the organization. It's a national nonprofit that works to protect neighborhoods from environmental exposures to chemicals from pesticides, spraying, mowing and other uses that are found in an outdoor environment. She's worked with Bluffton State Representative Bill Herbkersman to successfully the first statewide organic management resolution, which was also adopted by the Town of Bluffton. With all the farmland, waterways and greenspace, she invited the County to consider a similar resolution.

Watch the presentation here. 

Agenda Item Highlights

• An Ordinance adding a new Section 54-8 to the Beaufort County Code of Ordinances so as to prohibit and make unlawful the discharge of firearms in certain unincorporated areas of the County, to provide the penalty pertaining to such violations, and to provide certain exceptions and limitations thereto. Discussion included amending the ordinance to possibly include a gun training class, the distance required to safely discharge a firearm on private property, the level of offense and financial penalties. The committee voted to move this to Council for discussion and vote.

Watch the discussion here.

• A Resolution of Beaufort County, South Carolina, encouraging the South Carolina General Assembly to adopt a Comprehensive Hate Crime Bill. Discussion included definitions of what qualifies as a hate crime, penalties, levels of offense and financial penalties. The committee voted to move this as amended to Council for discussion and vote.

Watch the discussion here.

Resolutions

The committee voted to move the following resolution to full Council for discussion and vote:

• Resolution approving the Beaufort County Fleet Services policy - Public Access Vehicle Charging Station

Watch the entire Community Services and Public Safety Committee meeting here.

Assistant County Administrator Report
Assistant County Administrator Chuck Atkinson gave a brief update on the Green Space program. He discussed the distribution of Green Space funds within the County and outside the County. Mr. Michael McShane, Chair of the County Green Space Committee said they were working closely with Senator Tom Davis to draft amendments on the state level that would give Council increased discretion regarding the fund distribution and clarify the usage of the terms equally and equitably. Since the 2026 Legislative Session has ended, these amendments will be considered in the 2027 Legislative Session.

Watch his presentation here.

Agenda Item Highlights

• An Ordinance to amend Beaufort County's Ordinance Chapter 38 Environment, Article VII Green Space Program, Section 38-196 Method of Program and Procedures of the Beaufort County Code of Ordinances.

This ordinance will expedite the decision process regarding development rights or outright purchase of the property. Applications will continue to be reviewed for due diligence and approval and allows it to go directly from the Green Space Committee to County Council, rather than through Natural Resources then full Council. That option still remains if Council choose to redirect it back to the committee.

The committee voted to move this to Council for discussion and vote.

• Approval to fund due diligence and negotiate terms of acquisition for the Green Space Program application Grangers Retreat Tracts.

The committee voted to move this to Council for discussion and vote.

• An Ordinance amending Chapter 38 Environment, Article VI Single Use Plastic Bags; Article VI Section 38-161 Purpose and Intent; Section 38-162 Definitions; Section 38-163 Regulations; Section 38-164 Exemptions; and Section 38-166 Effective Date and Review of the Beaufort County Code of Ordinances. 

Council asked staff to see how the 2018 Plastic Bag Ordinance could be updated. Based on the 6000+ responses to the recent plastics survey and with increased awareness of microplastics in waterways, the recommendations include expanding the plastic bag ordinance to include thick plastic bags that larger retailers use, styrofoam food containers, plastic cutlery and straws. Certain exemptions will be considered for nonprofits, churches and schools.  

The committee voted to move this to Council for discussion and vote.

Watch the presentation here.

Resolutions
The committee voted to move the following resolution to full Council for discussion and vote:

• Resolution authorizing the County Administrator to execute the documents necessary and to provide funds to contribute to the procurement by the applicant, the Open Land Trust, for a conservation easement on property located in unincorporated Jasper County known as the Chelsea Tracts 

• Resolution authorizing the County Administrator to execute the documents necessary and to provide funds to contribute to the procurement by the applicant, the Open Land Trust, for a conservation easement on property located in unincorporated Beaufort County known as the Victoria Bluff Tracts 

Watch the entire Natural Resources Committee meeting 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. 

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Looking for more details or a specific item not covered in this release? Check out BCTV for full meeting recordings, agendas, and other details! BCTV can be found on cable channels Comcast - channel 2; Sparklight- channel 9 and 113; Spectrum - channel 1304. BCTV also streams live on ROKU and Amazon Fire.