Beaufort County Council approves key budget, land acquisition actions in June meetings

Beaufort County Council advanced the county’s proposed 2026 transportation sales tax referendum, approved its fiscal year 2026-27 budget ordinance and authorized major land acquisition funding during meetings held June 8 and June 22.

Among the most significant actions were approvals tied to two major land acquisitions: the Broad Creek Marina tract on Hilton Head Island and the New River Forest property in Bluffton.

During the June 22 meeting, council approved third reading of an ordinance establishing the 2026 transportation sales tax referendum. The ordinance was amended to clarify ballot language before passing in an 8-3 vote.

Earlier, during the June 8 meeting, council amended the referendum to extend tax collection from eight years to nine years and remove prepared food as a taxable item. Discussion also focused on road paving priorities, particularly improvements to S.C. 170 and U.S. 278.

Council also approved third reading of Beaufort County’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget ordinance in a 9-2 vote. The ordinance covers county government and special purpose districts and includes tax levies, service fees and user fees for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027.

Several amendments were approved during budget discussions, including $12,000 for the TriShare child care program in a 9-2 vote, reinstatement of Human Services Department funding estimated at $465,000 in an 8-3 vote, and $309,000 for the Treasurer’s Office in a 6-5 vote.

Land acquisition proposals drew significant attention during both meetings.

Funding for the Broad Creek Marina tract was approved in a 9-2 vote after action was delayed June 8 for additional review. Council requested further due diligence, including zoning determinations, the number of planned units and three land appraisals before reconsidering the proposal. The resolution authorizes up to $7.7 million for acquisition of the Hilton Head Island property.

Council also approved funding for The Nature Conservancy’s acquisition of the New River Forest property in Bluffton. The resolution authorizes up to $42 million for the purchase and passed 9-2 after being amended to clarify public vehicular access.

Airport-related business also moved forward without opposition. Council unanimously approved rental car concession agreements for Avis Budget Group, Enterprise Holdings and GSP Transportation Inc. for operations at Hilton Head Island Airport.

Members also accepted an $88,538 grant from the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission for airport development projects.

Additional actions included approval of new stormwater management intergovernmental agreements with the towns of Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.

Amendments to the county waterways ordinance also passed after debate. During the June 22 meeting, council voted 7-4 to remove Section 102-136 regarding student riders before unanimously approving the ordinance as amended.

On June 8, council approved amendments to the county’s single-use plastic bag ordinance in a 7-4 vote. The changes require events on county properties in unincorporated areas to comply with the ordinance and shift penalties from misdemeanor charges to civil citations.

Council also unanimously ruled that the St. Francis Center is exempt from obtaining a business license and sign permit following a business license appeal hearing.

During a June 8 workshop, Megan Dayson of the State Ethics Commission presented guidance on education versus advocacy related to the transportation sales tax referendum. She said council members may provide public education about the referendum but may not advocate for or against it using government resources.

Meeting agendas, minutes and video recordings are available at www.beaufortcountysc.go.