Agenda item: 7.a. Finance Report (Sandy Novak, Finance Director): Year-to-date budget report: general fund revenues (ad valorem taxes ~3% above budget), intergovernmental revenue lagging (~70%), use of fund balance described; general fund expenditures trending with personnel services at ~96% of budget; enterprise revenues/expenditures noted (stormwater projects delayed; airports on schedule). Departmental budget adjustments and specific items were discussed (animal services printing costs, mosqu
Finance, Administration, and Economic Development Committee
Finance, Administration & Economic Development Committee met June 15 at 2:00 PM. Committee heard the year-to-date finance report, discussed corrective action for an auditor management letter, approved a five-year audit engagement, and moved three ordinances (2017 GO bond reallocation for Station 34, FY27 carryforwards, and ARPA reallocation) forward to County Council. No public commenters were present.
Town Council meeting (Bluffton) on June 9, 2026: minutes adopted; proclamations for Juneteenth and Carolina Days; update on Beaufort County transportation 'penny' advisory committee; public comment on e-bikes, wetlands, road closures, and other local issues; unanimous approval of FY2027 consolidated budget; multiple ordinances/resolutions and funding decisions (including a four-way stop at Boundary & Lawrence, economic incentive for Sterling Helicopter, extension of due diligence for ~55.18-acre parcel, establishment of an Entertainment Venue Exploratory Work Group, first reading of wetland ordinance amendments, ATAX awards, contract for New Riverside disc golf, and DMO marketing plan); appointments made in executive session.
Council adopted the FY2027 consolidated budget (5–1), approved the DMO marketing plan/budget/metrics (5–1), authorized multiple property transactions to enable relocation of St. James Baptist Church and Cherry Hill School, approved wetlands impact documents for Patterson Family Park, renamed Squar Pope Community Park to “Hilton Head Island Fishing Cooperative Park,” approved town legal services contracts, and completed multiple board reappointments. (See source_notes in key_decisions & agenda_items.)
Beaufort County Board of Education regular meeting (hybrid) on June 9, 2026: agenda approved (including late addition of a nomination); CLOC (construction/finance) update; committee reports (Academics, Finance); Superintendent/Student Services presentations and BCSD University outreach; multiple recognitions/points of celebration; future agenda topics captured; public comments; executive session for personnel and legal matters followed by motions approving personnel ratification, denying an employee grievance request, and recalling remaining TIF funds from the City of Beaufort.
Town of Port Royal Budget Workshop #3 (2026). Staff presented a balanced FY27 draft budget totaling roughly $11.81M with no millage increase, proposed use of ~50% of expired TIF funds to cover a ~ $358,747 shortfall from property tax exemptions, reviewed personnel cost increases and several fee/revenue and reserve matters. Council asked questions; staff identified next steps for fee reviews and potential service fees. (No motions or formal votes recorded.)
City of Beaufort City Council regular meeting held May 12, 2026. Council (Mayor Philip Cromer; Councilmembers Neil Lipsitz, Michael McFee, Mitch Mitchell, Josh Scallate) heard presentations and public comment, approved routine consent items and minutes, adopted amendments to the Noise Ordinance (second reading), approved several ordinances on second reading, held a public hearing and first reading of the FY2027 consolidated budget (including multiple amendments), approved sale of city property (first reading) at 2153 Boundary Street, made Downtown Advisory Board appointments, and moved into executive session before adjourning.
Approved minutes for the Town of Bluffton Regular Town Council meeting held January 13, 2026. Items included swearing-in of two councilmembers, appointment of Mayor Pro-Tempore, adoption of prior minutes, presentations/recognitions, public comment on electric bicycle safety, approval of an ordinance amendment (second and final reading), authorization to amend a sewer construction contract for additional funds, approval of the consent agenda, executive session matters including an appointment to a county advisory committee and approval of a mediation settlement (4–1). Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM and adjourned at 6:30 PM.