Town of Bluffton - Town Council Workshop Tuesday, October 27th, 2026, at 5:00 PM

The Town of Bluffton Town Council workshop, held October 27, 2026, addressed resilience planning and parks, recreation, and entertainment-venue studies. Staff reviewed recommendations from consultant work under a 2025 master services agreement (MSA) with McCormick Taylor and the Center for Watershed Protection, including revising the land acquisition manual to prioritize wetlands and flood-mitigation areas, exploring participation in FEMA’s Community Rating System, and considering flood-management and cove-buffer changes. Council generally supported further study, but requested more information and examples before deciding on regulatory changes; members also emphasized seeking public input. Staff indicated a possible December return on the land-acquisition manual revision and future workshops on flood regulations and buffers. No votes or new contract awards were reported.

The council also reviewed arts and event-venue survey results from Pavilki Research and parks and recreation survey results from ETC Institute, alongside potential uses of town properties and recreation facilities. Survey respondents showed support for a community venue, with possible public investments discussed hypothetically at $20 million, $15 million, and $10 million—not as budget approvals. Concepts included a performing arts venue, sports tournament fields, and low-impact trails and park amenities; further growth, financial, and visioning work is planned. A resident raised concerns about deteriorating baseball and softball fields, and town officials said they would share the concerns with county leadership. No procurement decisions or spending approvals were identified.