Welcome to the City of Beaufort's monthly newsletter. Any feedback? Please send to Kathleen Williams, kwilliams@cityofbeaufort.org. |
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Time extended to comment on Comp Plan |
There is still time!
We've extended the period for online public comment and input into the 2021 Comprehensive Plan work-in-progress. You're invited to comment through Sept. 7.
To make it easier for you to comment, we have launched a community engagement platform, called Civl Space, where we present the Comp Plan section by section and invite your comments. Check it out here:
You can also read the whole plan here and email your comments to Senior Planner Dan Frazier at dfrazier@cityofbeaufort.org.
Why is the Comp Plan important? It guides all decisions related to planning, zoning, and development in the City of Beaufort. It was last updated in 2009.
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1 cent tax would give property owners a tax credit
and help fund capital projects in City
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The Nov. 2 election will include a countywide referendum for what is known as a local option sales tax (LOST). Currently, 32 of 46 counties in South Carolina have a local option sales tax in effect.
If voters support this measure, a penny will be added to the current sales tax in Beaufort County. Of the revenue generated by this measure, 71% will be rebated to property owners in the form of a credit against real, personal and vehicle taxes. The other 29% will be apportioned to Beaufort County and all the municipal jurisdictions in the county, including the City of Beaufort.
A significant amount of the revenue raised through LOST would come from visitors and tourists, according to various analyses.
How this would work for City of Beaufort homeowners: if your owner-occupied home had an appraised value of $350,000, you would receive an estimated tax credit of $509 -- $263 from the county tax credit and $246 from the City tax credit.
It’s estimated that the City of Beaufort would receive approximately $1.5 million annually in additional revenue through LOST. This revenue will be used for capital projects, which the City has limited resources for.
Currently, the City can fund capital projects through grants and debt. Grants are restricted and not always available when needed for a project. Passage of LOST would give the City more flexibility in addressing urgent capital needs, and would help ensure that that there would be no increase in the debt millage rate.
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Questions on vaccines? Join conversation Aug. 31! |
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Watch the City of Beaufort's Facebook page TONIGHT (Aug. 31) as we live-stream a conversation between Mayor Stephen Murray and Dr. Luke Baxley of Beaufort Memorial Hospital. The livestream begins at 8:30 p.m. and you can ask questions via Facebook comments. |
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Ogden promoted to fire chief
Congratulations to Tim Ogden, who was named chief of the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department earlier this month. Chief Ogden joined the department in 2016 as fire marshal and was most recently deputy chief of operations. In addition, Ross Vezin was promoted to deputy chief of operations. Peter Dontje was promoted to battalion chief/training and education.
Chief Ogden was sworn in by Mayor Stephen Murray at the City Council meeting on Aug. 24. He replaces Reece Bertholf, who is now deputy city manager.
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You're invited to commemorate
20th anniversary of 9/11
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Join on us on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, as we gather for the 20th anniversary of the attacks on our nation.
The evening starts at 7 p.m. at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, where we will pay tribute to the victims and the heroes of that terrible day. Music will be provided by the Parris Island Marine Corps Band and the Beaufort Mass Choir. Col. Timothy R. Dremann, chief of staff of the Parris Island Recruit Depot, will be the guest speaker.
Please bring your chairs and blankets.
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Groundbreaking at Commerce Park |
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The City of Beaufort and the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation, along with many other stakeholders, celebrated the groundbreaking on Aug. 4 of a Class A spec building at Beaufort Commerce Park. The building will be 64,000 square feet when completed, and is being developed by Magnus Development Partners. |
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BJWSA moves ahead on North Street project |
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BMH adds 2nd day
to vaccine clinic
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Those with moderate to severe immune compromise due to medical conditions, medications or treatment may schedule a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at BMH's Port Royal Vaccine Clinic at BeaufortMemorial.org/VaxPR.
Beginning this week, the clinic will be open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to accommodate third doses while also continuing to offer first and second doses to the community.
Where to get tested
BHM offers FREE drive-thru Covid testing -- and no order required -- from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon-Fri at its Medical & Administrative Center, 990 Ribaut Road.
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Help offered to navigate
rent assistance
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SC Stay Plus representatives will be available at the Beaufort Branch (Downtown) Library to provide personal assistance to local renters financially impacted by Covid-19. This program provides financial support for past due rent and utilities.
This week:
Tue-Thurs: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Fri: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Sat: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Week of Sept. 20:
Mon-Thurs: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Fri: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Sat: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Week of Sept. 27
Mon-Thurs: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
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Free Narcan training today
In recognition of National Overdose Awareness Day, Beaufort County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Department will be offering a free 5-minute Narcan training today, Aug. 31, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The training will be held curbside at the BCADAD Beaufort office, 1905 Duke Street 843-255-6013. More details here. |
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Public invited to transportation workshop on Sept. 8 |
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Those who are interested in offering input into a long-range transportation plan for the Lowcountry can attend a workshop from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 8 at the Technical College of the Lowcountry conference room at the New River campus (details in graphic above) or can join virtually via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 483 027 7728
Passcode: 1969843
Call in: 877 853 5247 US Toll-free
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HBF house & garden tour set for Oct. 22-24 |
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First Friday
Come celebrate September First Friday from 5-8 p.m. on Sept. 3 with an evening of shopping, dining, and fun! Activities will include tractor races on Bay Street, selections from the Parris Island Rock & Brass Band, and giveaways from downtown merchants. Come play games with Downtown Operations crew at the clock tower -- cornhole, Connect 4, life-size chess and a backdrop perfect for your selfies!
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LIVE after 5
LIVE After 5 -- every third Thursday of the month -- is downtown Beaufort's newest recurring monthly party with live music, local artists, late night shopping, and drink and food specials. This month, mark Sept. 16 for your night on the town! Free entertainment will start at 5 p.m.
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Shrimp Festival
The Beaufort Shrimp Festival will be held Oct. 1-2 at Waterfront Park. The festival will kick off at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 1. Atlanta vocal group The Tams will perform a free concert at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Oct. 2, the festival will open at 11 a.m. with live entertainment throughout the day, shrimp races, and environmental programs. Plus, the best and freshest shrimp and shrimp dishes from our local chefs!
Pre-order your T-shirts and food tickets to skip the lines. Those can be ordered through the website. |
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5 p.m. Sept. 14 Work Session
7 p.m. Sept. 14 Regular Meeting
5 p.m. Sept. 28 Work Session
7 p.m. Sept. 28 Regular Meeting
Meetings will be held at City Hall, and also accessible via Zoom and streamed on the City's Facebook page. You can find agendas closer to the date of the meeting on our website's Agenda Center.
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Neighborhood Association, 10 a.m., Sept. 7
Historic Review Board, 2 p.m., Sept. 8
Design Review Board, 2 p.m. Sept. 9
Metropolitan Planning Commission, 5 p.m., Sept. 14
Cultural District Advisory Board, 2 p.m., Sept. 15
Meetings will be held at City Hall, and also accessible via Zoom and streamed on the City's Facebook page. You can find agendas closer to the date of the meeting on our website's Agenda Center.
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