Neil Baxley

The Regular Session agenda for May 28, 2019, covered multiple items originating from various committees. Key discussions under the Consent Agenda included appointments/reappointments to Boards and Commissions, and third/final readings of ordinances concerning a thirty (30) year lease agreement for Whitehall Park, an Access Easement for Duncan Farms, and authorizing the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds up to $11.275 million. The Public Facilities Committee also addressed first readings for utility easements and a lease for the Okatie River Park "Barn Site." Under Non-Consent Agenda items, public hearings and second readings were scheduled or held for lease agreements for Crystal Lake Park, the Duncan Farms easement, the general obligation bonds, and text amendments to the Community Development Code regarding campgrounds. Committee reports summarized ongoing budget work, upcoming public facilities matters, relationship discussions between Council and the Administrator, and future committee topics like voter poll wait times and Short Term Rental amendments. Items arising out of Executive Session involved instructing the County Attorney regarding a lessee subletting the Old County Courthouse building, which ultimately failed to pass by vote.

The key discussions and actions for the meeting included a resolution to support the development of a microhospital south of the Broad River by Beaufort Memorial Hospital and MUSC. The consent agenda covered approvals for the April 23, 2018 Caucus and Regular Session minutes, as well as committee reports and board appointments. New business featured consideration of contract awards for upgraded security services at Hilton Head Island Airport and the purchase of a squad rescue truck for the Sheldon Fire Department. The Council also addressed the first reading of the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 budget proposals for Beaufort County, Beaufort County School District, and the Airports Enterprise Fund. Other items included first readings for appropriations to the Santa Elena Foundation, allocation of funds for Indigent Care, Economic Development, and Higher Education based on millage, and text amendments related to the Accommodations Tax Board and Designated Marketing Organizations (DMOs). A public hearing was scheduled for an ordinance concerning the elimination of the Oak Marsh Plantation Special Purpose Tax District.

The meeting agenda included discussions and potential actions on numerous items. Key topics involved consideration of an ordinance to amend the Animal Control Ordinance regarding sterilization, microchip identification, impoundment, and adoption fees, with a public hearing scheduled for November 8, 2010. The Council was set to consider funding for the Friends of Hilton Head Island Library match of library impact fees, and an extension of the Daufuskie Ferry Agreement. Other agenda items included consideration of a resolution to support a regional economic plan and text amendments to Council Rules and Procedures. Reports from the County Administrator and Deputy County Administrator covered updates on The County Channel programming, the launch of the new county website, and the 2010 Distinguished Assessment Jurisdiction Award received by the County Assessor's Office. A presentation was given regarding an Emergency Medical and Fire Support Study. The Council also planned to address infrastructure projects including US Highway 17 widening, the new bridge over Beaufort River, and roadway construction projects on SC Highway 802 and SC Highway 46. The agenda also noted consideration of awarding a contract for Arborist Services at Hilton Head Island Airport and revenue contracts for rental car concessions at the airport. Furthermore, there were discussions regarding text amendments to the Zoning and Development Standards Ordinance related to rural small-lot subdivisions, and zoning map amendments in several county areas. Significant discussion also covered the allocation of 2% Accommodations Tax Funds and Hospitality Tax Funds to various organizations, and an ordinance to reduce the aircraft personal property tax assessment ratio from 10.5% to 6%. Public hearings were scheduled for the latter, as well as for four ordinances related to the May River Community Preservation District.

The agenda for the regular session included several key actions and discussions. Proclamations were issued for Small Business Saturday and public service recognition for various board and commission members. The session addressed the State (2%) Accommodations Tax Board's fiscal year 2017 grant recommendations, and the contract award for the Runway 21 Extension and Taxiway F Drainage Improvements totaling over $11.4 million. Resolutions were considered for adopting a classification structure utilizing the Decision BandTM method to evaluate positions and requesting Presidential consideration for establishing a National Monument related to the Reconstruction Era in Beaufort County. Furthermore, an allocation of $140,000 from FY 2016-2017 Local Economic Development Alliances Funds was considered for the Beaufort Digital Corridor or the Don Ryan Center for Innovation incentives. Public hearings were held concerning the third and final reading of an ordinance updating the Beaufort County Smoking Ordinance, an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds not exceeding $51,000,000, amendments to rename the Tax Equalization Board, appropriations for the Spanish Moss Trail Phase 7 construction, and acceptance of an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant. Additional public hearings addressed zoning and land use map amendments for the Pepper Hall Plantation property and the Executive Golf Course properties, as well as text amendments to the Stormwater Management Ordinance. Following an executive session, the Council ratified a Proclamation declaring a Public Health Emergency/State of Emergency resulting from Hurricane Matthew. The meeting also included an update on Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts.

The agenda for the County Council meeting includes a Caucus session with discussions on the Consent Agenda and an Executive Session to discuss contractual negotiations, property purchases, and legal advice related to claims. The Regular Meeting agenda covers the Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation, Administrative Consent Agenda items (including approval of January 27, 2014 minutes and receipt of progress reports), Committee Reports from various standing committees, Public Comment, County Administrator's and Deputy County Administrator's Reports, and consideration of the Consent Agenda which features a supplemental appropriation for Senior Services of Beaufort County and the purchase of two new vans for the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. The meeting also includes Public Hearings on an Ordinance to amend the Purchasing Ordinance and a Text Amendment to the Zoning and Development Standards Ordinance regarding Water Dependent Uses.