Wednesday, May 13, 2026 4:45 PM
County Council

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The Beaufort County Council met Monday. Below are some agenda highlights from each meeting.

County Council Caucus

There were no matters arising from County Council Caucus Executive Session.

County Council Meeting

Proclamations

Council Member Paula Brown presented a proclamation recognizing May 6-12 as National Nurses Week.

Council Member Joe Passiment presented a proclamation recognizing May 10-16 as National Hospital Week.

Council Member Lawrence McElynn presented a proclamation recognizing May 3-9 as National Corrections Officers Week.

Council Member Gerald Dawson presented a proclamation recognizing May 17-23 as Emergency Medical Services Week.

Council Member York Glover presented a proclamation recognizing May as International Doula Month.

Watch the presentations here.

 

Presentation:

Sales Tax Recommendations by the Transportation Advisory Committee, Chair Lisa Sulka. Chair Sulka reviewed the discussions, meeting schedule, and process by which the committee determined what transportation-related projects were to be considered for the upcoming November referendum, the corresponding amount of money needed to complete the chosen projects, as well as the duration of the tax.  Watch her presentation here.

Agenda Items:

• Consideration of the Real Property Covenant and Land Use Restrictions provided by the Town of Bluffton for the Green Space Program application--Buckwalter tracts--Parcels 5A and 5B. Green Space Chair Mike McShane outlined the parcels under consideration, the recommendations on reasonable restrictions on land use, award a reimbursable grant along with the recommended amendments, acquire surrounding properties, and fix the price to reflect market value once the road is completed. Council voted unanimously to pass this.

Ordinances for Third Reading
These ordinances passed unanimously.

• An Ordinance to reallocate remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the amount of $739,108.13 towards existing projects as obligated to the Department of Treasury.
  
  
• An Ordinance authorizing the County Administrator to execute the necessary documents to convey a parcel of real property to Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry for development of workforce/affordable housing and other matters related thereto.

• An Ordinance authorizing the County Administrator to execute the necessary documents to convey five parcels of real property to the Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust for development of attainable housing in partnership with Beaufort Memorial Hospital and other matters related thereto.

• 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 voted on the ordinance that includes civil penalties and recommendation to attend a gun education course.
  
  
  Ordinances for Second Reading

• An ordinance to amend Beaufort County's Budget Ordinance for FY 2026
  
  
• An ordinance authorizing the purchase of real property form the Town of Hilton Head Island for St. James Baptist Church relocation
  
  
• An ordinance authorizing the conveyance of real property to St. James Baptist Church following completion of the relocation project
  
  
• An ordinance authorizing the County Administrator to execute any and all documents for the acceptance of a portion of Airport Circle which is to be abandoned by SCDOT
  
  Ordinances for First Reading
  
  
• An ordinance amending Chapter 38 Environment Article VI Single Use Plastic Bags. Council passed this 6-5. It now moves to Second Reading.

Planning and Zoning Deputy Director Juliana Zadik gave an update on the plastics survey results, proposed amendments that expands the existing bag ban to include thick plastic bags, styrofoam products, plastic cutlery and straws. Some organizations would be exempt and the language includes a civil penalty.

Watch her presentation here. 

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's Report

County Administrator Michael Moore gave a final update from the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). Chair Lisa Sulka presented the committee's report later in the meeting. Mr. Moore recognized the committee for their work which was completed on time; the recommendations were on point and the cost realistic. The projects addressed serious traffic issues and the committee's efforts will help to address those issues and a reasonable cost. He then recognized staff for all their hard work: Engineering Department, Communications Department, Clerk to Council staff, Public Works and BCTV.

Watch the County Administrator's presentation to Council here.

 

Council Member Paula Brown presented a proclamation recognizing May 6-12 as National Nurses Week.

 

Council Member Joe Passiment presented a proclamation recognizing May 10-16 as National Hospital Week.

 

Council Member Gerald Dawson presented a proclamation recognizing May 17-23 as Emergency Medical Services Week.

 

Council Member York Glover presented a proclamation recognizing May as International Doula Month.

 

Council Member Lawrence McElynn presented a proclamation recognizing May 3-9 as National Corrections Officers Week.

Pictured left to right:
LT. Janetha Padgett and Major Latasha Robinson

 

All County Committee and Council meetings are streamed live and
available on demand through

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.