Action item: City and Corps to explore whether existing waterfront park planning/design work can be used to streamline Corps study milestones and potentially shorten the Corps' typical 3‑year timeline.
Council convened a June 23, 2026 work session. Key items: introduction of new employees; interview of a downtown advisory board applicant; a presentation by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a federal interest determination and possible $3M feasibility study for coastal storm risk management (City requested to provide written concurrence to begin a 45‑day review); an update on the City housing repair program; public comment; and a motion to enter executive session.
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.
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.)
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.
Town Council met January 13, 2026. Council approved the agenda, tabled approval of prior minutes, heard reports and presentations (including a clean FY2025 ACFR), and unanimously approved on first reading two related workforce-housing zoning actions: an LMO text amendment to allow new workforce housing in the MED district (with program requirements) and a PD-2 Master Plan / zoning map amendment to permit commercial or residential use on three parcels along Bethea Drive (three parcel tax-map IDs listed). Council entered and exited Executive Session and appointed Chuck Lobaugh and Margaret Hewitt as Planning Commission representatives to the Gullah Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force. The meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.