Beaufort County Council Workshop Monday, August 28, 2026 @ 10 AM

The Beaufort County Council held a workshop on August 28, 2026, primarily focused on discussing the establishment of a whistleblower policy and the creation of an Office of Integrity. Council members deliberated on the scope, purpose, and reporting processes for whistleblower complaints, emphasizing the need for protections against retaliation and the importance of distinguishing between general complaints and legitimate whistleblower allegations. They discussed the potential use of an external agency, similar to Spartanburg County's model, to handle anonymous reporting and investigations, as well as the role of an internal integrity officer to oversee the process and maintain confidentiality. The council agreed to forward the draft policy with proposed changes to the Finance and Administration Committee for further review and to explore the costs and details of contracting with an external agency through an RFP. No votes were taken during the workshop, but there was consensus on moving forward with policy development and administrative follow-up.