Beaufort County Council recently met for Caucus and County Council, discussing legal matters, land conservation, stormwater, transportation, community development, County operations, and other issues affecting our community.

County Council Caucus

Beaufort County v. Sommerville
Following executive session, Council unanimously authorized the County Attorney and outside counsel to negotiate a settlement in Beaufort County v. Paul Sommerville, a condemnation case, and authorized the County Administrator to execute a settlement agreement in accordance with the terms and amounts discussed in executive session.

New River Tract
Council amended the Caucus agenda to include discussion of a proposed Green Space Program purchase involving the New River Tract in Bluffton during executive session.

Council also voted 10–1 to suspend the Caucus and reconvene following the County Council meeting.

Watch County Council Caucus here.

County Council Meeting 

Affordable Housing and Federal Funding
Council approved first reading of an ordinance reallocating $1,646,081.17 in remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward affordable housing through the Beaufort-Jasper Housing Trust. The ordinance passed 8–3.

County Attorney Reporting Structure
Council approved first reading of an ordinance that would change the County Attorney's reporting structure to report directly to County Council rather than the County Administrator. The ordinance passed 8–3.

Port Royal Waterfront and Multi-County Park
Council approved first reading of an ordinance establishing a multi-county park agreement with Jasper County and an intergovernmental agreement with the Town of Port Royal to support public waterfront infrastructure at the Safe Harbor development site.

The proposed agreement would cap County funding at $10 million over 20 years. The ordinance passed 8–2, with one abstention.

May River Community Preservation District
Council approved first reading of a text amendment that would allow cemeteries within the May River Community Preservation District. The ordinance passed 6–5.

Regions Tournament Complex
Council approved second reading and a public hearing for an ordinance amending the FY 2027 budget to appropriate fund balance for the Beaufort County Regions Tournament Complex. The ordinance passed 9–2.

Building Codes and Energy Infrastructure
Council approved third reading of two ordinances following public hearings:

• Pocotaligo Preserve: Authorized an electric line easement with Dominion Energy on County property known as Pocotaligo Preserve.

• Building Code Updates: Adopted the 2024 editions of state-mandated building codes.

Both ordinances passed unanimously.

Substance Use Services and Animal Services
Council unanimously approved a resolution accepting substance use block grant funding and a resolution supporting expansion of the Animal Services Campus.

Public Hearing Procedures
Council postponed discussion of a resolution that would change the format and parameters for public hearings (not public comment). The postponement to November 9 passed unanimously.

Appointments and Consent Agenda
Council unanimously confirmed 10 appointments to County boards and committees, including Daniel Caffrey to the Board of Assessment Appeals, three trustees to the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Board, and four members to the Animal Services Ad Hoc Committee.

Council also approved the consent agenda, which included three FY 2027 emergency medical services ambulance replacements and an award to ABR Digital Solutions.

This is a selection of items. Watch the full County Council Meeting here.

County Administrator’s Report 

The County Administrator provided updates on the Sales Tax Referendum, Station 39 construction, and the Alljoy Pathway Project along with employee recognitions.

Watch the Administrator's Report here.

Amy Rusnak, Office of the Assessor
Recognized for 15 Years of Service

Kimberly Jordan Sullivan, Assistant Public Defender
Recognized for 20 Years of Service

Michael Binkowski, Traffic Operations
Recognized for 25 Years of Service

Valerie Althoff, Fleet Services
Awarded the Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) designation through Government Finance Officers Association of South Carolina

County Council Proclamations 

Watch the Proclamations issued by Council here.

County Council Issued a Proclamation Recognizing the Week of
October 23-31 as Red Ribbon Week

County Council Issued a Proclamation Recognizing the
164th Anniversary of the Penn Center

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