The Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee met Monday and here are some highlights from the agenda:

• ACA Report: Assistant County Administrator/Acting CFO John Robinson announced the Finance Department won an award for excellence in financial reporting again this year
  • Budget Director Valerie Althoff gave a brief presentation on budget transfers
  • Purchasing Director Dave Thomas gave a brief update on the hiring of new personnel and a policy update on purchasing, p-cards and contracts
• Assistant County Administrator Hank Amundson gave an update on ARPA funds received, shared a list of County projects that have ARPA funds obligated toward completion 
• Presentations from DMOs: Rob Wells, Beaufort/Port Royal and Ariana Perniece, Hilton Head Island and Greater Bluffton Chamber

The committee then voted to:

• Recommend approval to Council of an ordinance to provide for the sale not to exceed $70 million to pay debt for general obligation bonds
• Recommend approval to Council the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation to purchase 500 acres from Chilton Timer and Land Company
• Recommend approval to Council for the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation to purchase18 acres on Parker Road
• Recommend approval to Council of a resolution to accept an SC Aeronautics Commission grant for $750,000 to HXD Terminal Improvement Project
• Recommend approval to Council the demolition of the Agnes Major Community Center by County Public Works
• Recommend approval to Council of a resolution authorizing the County Administrator to enter into a facility use agreement with BCSD
  
  • Boards and Commissions Appointments and Reappointments
    • Elizabeth Camputaro, BC Parks and Recreation Board
    • John Holak, Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority
    • Constance Hope, Keep Beaufort County Beautiful Board
    • Faye Patrick Alston, Disabilities and Special Needs Board                   

The Beaufort County Council held their regular meeting beginning at 5 p.m., Monday evening. 

Below are some key highlights from that meeting:

• Proclamation- A surprise proclamation honoring County Attorney Tom Keavney for his retirement and dedicated service to Beaufort County
• Proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month
• Update on the progress of Historic Mitchelville Park by Executive Director Ahmad Ward
• Public hearing and third reading of an ordinance to repeal and replace County policies regarding purchasing, competitive bidding, delegating purchasing authority to County Purchasing Director and establishing procedures of goods and services as required by County Departments
• First reading of an ordinance amending the Community Development Code
• First reading of an ordinance for a comprehensive plan amendment to add the Beaufort County Housing Impact Analysis to 2040 Comprehensive Plan
• First reading of an ordinance authorizing the County Administrator to enter into a lease agreement with Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority for County-owned property at 316 Castle Rock Road

Highlights from the Consent Agenda:

• Third reading of an ordinance authorizing Beaufort Memorial Hospital to pledge revenues in connection with the issuance by SC Jobs Economic Development Authority of its healthcare revenue bonds not to exceed $120 million
• Third reading of an ordinance authorizing the County Administrator to execute documents to provide funding for purchase of real property known as Cooler Tract
• Third reading of an ordinance authorizing the County Administrator to execute the documents to convey real property at 333 and 335 Buckwalter Parkway for development of workforce and affordable housing and medical facilities
• Approval of contract award to Gulf Stream Construction for Beaufort County Parking Lot Project--new Arthur Horne building

Matters arising out of Executive Committee:

• Council voted to accept the settlement offer with the FAA for a 2022 incident--amount was discussed in Executive Session but not made public

The next Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee meeting will be Monday, October 28, at 3 p.m.

The next regular County Council meeting will be Monday, October 14, at 5 p.m.

For the complete agenda for all meetings, click here.

To watch all meetings in their entirety, click here.

From the Administrator's Report: 

Above are this week's County employees recognized for their hard work and service to our citizens.

Top row: 

• Council Chair Joe Passiment presenting the proclamation the County Attorney Tom Keavney honoring his years of service and retirement.
• Council Vice Chair Larry McElynn presenting the proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month to Veronica Navarro, Founder, Hispanic Business Association and Gustavo Ratilla, Owner/CEO Oceana Blue Media Company
• County Administrator Michael Moore and Thomas McMahon, Nexus Care

Bottom Row:

• County Administrator Michael Moore and Mary Madison, Human Resources
• County Administrator Michael Moore and Senetra Porter, Procurement Services
• County Administrator Michael Moore and Sharon Bryant, Procurement Services