Bluffton Town Council Budget Workshop, Tuesday, May 21, 2026 at 05:00 PM

The Bluffton Town Council held a budget workshop on May 21, 2026, focusing primarily on the proposed 2026-2027 consolidated budget totaling nearly $114 million, representing a 4.4% increase over the previous year. Key procurement-related discussions included funding for additional School Resource Officers (SROs) at May River High School, with options considered for hiring a class three officer partially funded by the school district. The council debated repurposing existing open police positions to address staffing shortages and safety needs. The budget also covered capital improvement projects funded through hospitality and local accommodations taxes, stormwater utility fees, and TIF bonds, with specific projects such as park improvements and law enforcement HVAC replacement highlighted. Emergency procurement authority was noted for critical repairs like the police HVAC system. Additionally, the council reviewed vehicle leasing programs for police vehicles, staffing changes, and funding requests from the local public transit system, which sought a 10% increase in local match funding to maintain operations amid driver shortages. The workshop included discussions on debt service, fund balances, and strategic priorities such as affordable housing and historic preservation. The council planned a follow-up workshop to focus further on capital projects and outstanding budget items.