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

• Special Assistant to the County Administrator Hank Amundson gave an update on ARPA funds received, shared a list of County projects that have ARPA funds obligated toward completion. He highlighted two community centers that will be built--one in Sheldon and one on St. Helena Island
• Airports Director Jon Rembold gave project updates and new equipment purchased for both Hilton Head Island Airport and Beaufort Executive Airport
• Purchasing Director Dave Thomas presented an overview of projects that are currently in the procurement process
• ACA John Robinson gave a brief Finance update regarding the General Fund and Fund Balance, budget highlights and fund transfers
  
  The committee then voted to:
  
  
• Recommend approval to Council of an ordinance appropriating funds from the State A-Tax funds as recommended by the committee in compliance with requirement so SC Code of Laws.
• Committee update from Johnathan Sullivan, Chairman of the A-Tax Committee (2%) including reports of organizations who attended the workshop, received training and presented all required paperwork within the new process and timeline. The next A-Tax workshop training will be scheduled for the week of November 19-25. All applicants are required to attend the workshop to qualify for funds.
• Item agenda 9 amended bifurcated: 

9A-General fund for $3.2 million for fleet services vehicle and equipment purchases
9B-$4.3 million for Beaufort Executive Airport Hangar Construction
9C-Waive $712, 750 Beaufort Executive Airport Payable Loan to the General Fund

• Recommend approval to Council of a resolution to accept grant funds from the SC Department of Commerce in the amount of $100,000 in support of Project Micro
• Recommend approval to Council of a contract award to design-build Team Mitchel Construction and Coast Architects for Agnes Major and Wesley Felix Community Centers
• Discussion of 2025 Committee and County Council Meeting Calendar--amended to have meetings begin at 4 p.m., followed at 6 p.m. for County Council. Meetings will be held on location south of the Broad only (Hilton Head Library, Buckwalter Recreation Center, Hilton Head Library)    
• Boards and Commissions Appointments and Reappointments:

SC Alliance Board of Directors: Joel Braun
Library Board: Kathleen Cooper
Keep Beaufort County Beautiful Board: Eugene Zapfel
Lowcountry Council of Governments: Herbert Glaze

Stormwater Management Utility Board: Patrick Mitchel--this appointment was held for due diligence and will be reconsidered at the next Finance Committee meeting.                  

The Beaufort County Council held their regular meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m., Monday evening (briefly delayed by Finance Committee running past 5 p.m.). 

Below are some key highlights from that meeting:

• Council Vice Chair Lawrence McElynn presented a proclamation for Red Ribbon Week to Parris Island Young Marines
• Council Member David Bartholomew presented a proclamation recognizing Operation Green Light to Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Director Caroline Fermin
• Council Member York Glover presented a proclamation recognizing the 162 anniversary of Penn Center
• Council Member York Glover presented a proclamation recognizing the outstanding performance and commitment of the Beaufort County Youth Conference Youth Ambassadors
• Second reading of an ordinance to provide for the issuance and sale of $70 million general obligation bonds
• First reading of an ordinance authorizing the Administrator to execute all documents necessary for the acceptance of a drainage easement located at 1 Flamingo Cove
• First reading of an ordinance authorizing the Administrator to execute all documents necessary for the acceptance of a drainage easement located at 10 Quail Ridge Circle South 
• First reading of an ordinance authorizing the Administrator to execute all documents necessary to accept a right of way on Fish Haul Road
• First reading of an ordinance authorizing the Administrator to execute all documents necessary to accept a right of way associated with Sheppard Road, Causey Way and Dock Builders Drive

Highlights from the Consent Agenda:

• Third reading of an ordinance for a comprehensive plan amendment to add the Beaufort County housing impact analysis as an appendix to the 2040 Comprehensive plan
• Approval of a resolution authorizing the County Administrator to execute the purchase of Rawstrom Road
• Approval of a resolution committing future fiscal year funds to Beaufort Jasper Water Sewer Authority's efforts to extend its public sewer system and facilitate the conversion from septic to sewer in Bluffton's Alljoy neighborhood
• Approval of a contract change order for an additional $10958 for the completion and closeout of the Fire Station 34 Project
• Approval of a resolution to accept the Military Enhancement Plan Fund Grant from the SC Department of Veterans Affairs for $1,600,000 for the Port Royal Reclamation Facility Project
• Approval of a contract award to Quality Enterprises USA for ARW Runway Rehabilitation Project

Matters arising out of Executive Committee:

• Council voted not to negotiate a settlement for litigation re Ware vs Beaufort County-amount was discussed in Executive Session but not made public
• Council voted to negotiate a settlement for litigation re Beaufort County vs Broad Creek Development-amount was discussed in Executive Session but not made public
• Council voted to negotiate a settlement for litigation re Redfish Holdings vs Beaufort County-amount was discussed in Executive Session but not made public
• Council voted to negotiate a settlement for litigation re Beaufort County vs Okatie River Park/Pepper Hall-amount was discussed in Executive Session but not made public

The next Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee meeting will be Monday, November 25, at 3 p.m.

The next regular County Council meeting will be Monday, November 12, at 5 p.m.

For the complete agenda for all meetings, click here.

To watch all meetings in their entirety, click here.

• County Administrator Michael Moore recognizes Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Director Caroline Fermin on being named USC Outstanding Veteran Alumni. Read the release here. Upper left
• County Administrator Michael Moore recognizes Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Veterans Service Officer Ann McGowan for being named South Carolina VSO of the Year. Upper right
• County Administrator Michael Moore recognizes Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling Director Victoria Hoffman and Certified Senior Prevention Specialist Katie Godowns for the South Carolina Association Awards they recently received. Read the release here. Lower left
• Council Vice Chair Lawrence McElynn recognizes Red Ribbon Week and the Parris Island Young Marines. Lower right

• Council Member David Bartholomew presented a proclamation recognizing Operation Green Light to Beaufort County Veterans Affairs Director Caroline Fermin--lower right
• Council Member York Glover presented a proclamation recognizing the 162 anniversary of Penn Center--left
• County Administrator Michael Moore recognizes Beaufort County Coroner David Ott and Deputy Coroner Deborah Youmans for the South Carolina Association Awards they recently received. Read the release here. Upper right

• Council Member York Glover presenting the proclamation recognizing the Beaufort County Youth Conference Youth Ambassadors.