Legislative eNews

Government Affairs Update from the Hilton Head Island-
Bluffton Chamber of Commerce -- May 9-13, 2005

Topic #1 -- Beaufort military bases safe for now -- Beaufort's three military bases were not listed on the proposed base-closure list released this morning by The Pentagon. Therefore, the bases are safe for now. This proposed closure list now goes to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission for deliberation, then to President Bush and the Congress. Beaufort's three bases are Marine Corps Air Station--Beaufort, Marine Corps Recruit Depot--Parris Island, and Naval Hospital Beaufort. The two South Carolina military facilities on the proposed list are the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Charleston and the South Naval Facilities Engineering Command based, I believe, also in Charleston.

Topic #2 -- County Council considering countywide admissions fee -- Beaufort County Council on May 9 gave first reading by title only to a countywide admissions fee ordinance that would levy a 2.5 percent fee on, for example, movie theaters, night clubs, golf courses, miniature golf and water slides. Exempted would be private golf courses where you don't pay greens fees and non-profits. The fee would result in a dedicated source of revenue, estimated at $1.7 million annually, for transportation projects such as the completion of the Bluffton Parkway and the widening of Buckwalter Parkway. The proposed ordinance now goes to the county's Finance Committee, and eventually back to the full Council for the final two readings.

Topic #3 -- County Council approves resolution in support of deep-water container terminal in Jasper County -- Beaufort County Council on May 9 unanimously approved a resolution supporting and encouraging the efforts of Jasper County to develop a deep-water container terminal on the Savannah River. The resolution further encourages the state, the State Ports Authority and Jasper County to take the necessary steps to partner their efforts to ensure the proposed port facility becomes a reality.

Topic #4 -- Grassroots group seeks solutions to transportation and growth issues -- A Greater Bluffton Residents Advisory Group, comprised of communities representatives from Windmill Harbour to Sun City, has been formed to keep pressure on elected officials to seek viable solutions to transportation and growth issues. Joe Croley, of Rose Hill, informed County Council on May 9 of the formation of the group.

Topic #5 -- Bluffton gives initial approval to budget -- The Town of Bluffton on May 11 approved first reading of its '05-'06 budget. Two readings are required for final approval. The proposed budget is $5.1 million, of which $3.5 million is for general operating expenses.

Topic #6 -- County committee approves Buckwalter Community Park contract -- Bluffton Town Manager Josh Martin said a Beaufort County Council committee has approved a contract award to build the first phase of the Buckwalter Community Park. The contract approval now goes to County Council for final action. Possible ground-breaking is July 1. The first phase will include three soccer fields, restrooms, parking, lighting and an access road.

Topic #7 -- County, chambers of commerce form disaster recovery task force -- Beaufort County officials and local chambers of commerce on May 12 held the first of several meetings as part of a task force to oversee recovery and reconstruction following a hurricane.

Topic #8 -- Town of Bluffton rethinks its density-bonus policy -- Bluffton Mayor Hank Johnston has asked town staff to study whether the town's density-bonus policy has been effective. Marc Orlando, the town's chief planner, said the policy should be studied during the town's review of its master plan likely scheduled this fall. The mayor further asked town staff to look into what can be done to withhold applications for density bonuses until the study is complete.

Topic #9 -- H-2B visa legislation included in bill signed by president -- The H-2B visa program, which provides foreign workers for the local tourism industry, received a boost this week when President Bush signed a supplemental appropriations bill that included an amendment expanding the visa program. The H-2B working visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to enter into the United States and engage in nonagricultural employment that is seasonal, intermittent, a peak-load need, or a one-time occurrence. The new legislation exempts some of the workers who have participated in the program during the past three fiscal years from counting toward a cap. It also adjusts the cap, allowing the availability of more workers during the spring and summer months when the local tourism industry needs them the most.

Topic #10 -- Legislation would change how golf courses are taxed -- Legislation continues to move through the statehouse that would change how property taxes are calculated for golf courses. If the legislation, introduced in the Senate in March and currently in the House, is approved, it will exclude income from "personal property" such as golf carts, retail sales and food/beverage from calculations that county assessors use to compute property taxes. Supporters of the bill say the inclusion of these items is double taxation. This has been a contentious issue between golf course owners and assessing entities and has resulted in numerous appeals and increased litigation costs for both the public and private sector, the bill (S.589) says.

Tim Bennett
VP for Government Relations
P.O. Box 5647
Hilton Head Island, SC 29938
Office -- (843) 341-8370
Email -- tbennett@hiltonheadisland.org