Beaufort County Council Workshop Monday, June 8, 2026, @ 4:30PM

The Beaufort County Council held a workshop and caucus meeting on June 8, 2026, where key procurement and budget matters were discussed. The council addressed several significant procurement-related issues, including authorization to increase legal service fees for the county attorney, and deliberations on major green space acquisitions such as the New River Managed Forest for $42 million and a 9.5-acre property on Hilton Head for up to $7.7 million. The council voted to postpone the New River acquisition decision to allow for additional public input and due diligence documentation. They also discussed the equitable distribution of green space funds across county regions. Additionally, the council approved the third reading of an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags, with some debate on its impact on small businesses. Budget discussions included approval of the school district’s $395.3 million budget with teacher salary increases, funding adjustments for various county departments including reinstating $465,000 for the Department of Health and Human Services, and allocation of $12,000 to TriShare for childcare slots. The council also debated business license requirements for charitable organizations, ultimately exempting the St. Francis Center from needing a business license or sign permit. Several motions related to capital improvement projects, budget amendments, and ordinance deferrals were passed, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance fiscal responsibility with community needs and transparency in procurement processes.