Legislative eNews

Government Affairs Update from the Hilton Head Island-
Bluffton Chamber of Commerce -- Jan. 23-Jan. 27, 2006

www.hiltonheadisland.org
www.highway278.org

Topic #1 - Eastbound widening of U.S. 278 slated for completion in four weeks - Beaufort County Administrator Gary Kubic briefed County Council on Jan. 23 the widening and paving of the additional eastbound lane on U.S. 278 will be completed in four weeks. Additionally, design drawings of the new intersection at Target and Home Depot are near completion. Meanwhile, to assist in responding to road mishaps, the county has assigned one of its SHEP roadway assistance trucks to the Moss Creek intersection from 6 to 8:30 a.m., daily.

Topic #2 - County Council approves $50 million bond referendum for land-preservation program - Beaufort County Council approved on Jan. 23 the third and final reading of a $50 million bond referendum to be placed on November's general-election ballot. If approved, the funding will extend the county's successful land-preservation program.

Topic #3 - County finance committee continues to study business license fee - Beaufort County's Finance Committee on Jan. 23 discussed the county's business license fee and whether it should be increased. Stricter enforcement of the current fee also was discussed. The committee will continue to study the issue at its Feb. 22 meeting.

Topic #4 - Planning continues on May River Tech Park - Bluffton officials, architects, land planners and others met on Jan. 27 to discuss street networks, design, and architectural guidelines for Bluffton's May River Tech Park slated for Buckwalter Parkway.

Topic #5 - Bluffton finishes week-long community design charrette for Old Town Master Plan - A week's worth of citizen meetings and public updates concluded with a presentation on Jan. 26 in which consultants briefed Bluffton citizens about the potential future "look" of Old Town Bluffton, the town's original one-mile square. The goal of the charrette was to create a cohesive plan to guide future development, redevelopment and preservation of the Old Town. Public input will continue through Feb. 10. Consultants Dover Kohl & Partners will provide an updated version on March 2 followed by a public meeting on March 22. In April or May, the town will begin reviewing ordinances to implement the plan.

Topic #6 - Congressman meets with town to discuss funding for sewer hookups - Cong. Joe Wilson met with officials from the Town of Hilton Head Island and other organizations on Jan. 26 to hear requests for federal funding for low-income households to connect to a public sewer system. The town and Public Service District #1 have committed to a multi-year plan that will connect all citizens to sewer.

Topic #7 - County, municipal officials discuss logistics support team - Emergency personnel from Beaufort County and the municipalities began discussing on Jan. 24 the formation of a County of Beaufort Logistics Support Team. The purpose of the team would be to provide logistical support to emergency service agencies when they deploy to disaster areas, both locally and elsewhere. The goal of the team would be to provide housing, food, water, communications, and health amenities.

Topic #8 - Jasper County updates citizens at State of the County - Dr. George Hood, chairman of Jasper County Council, reported the following 2005 data at the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce's State of the County Breakfast on Jan. 26:

  • Assessed value of property increased by $5 million.
  • Total net assets increased by more than $1 million.
  • Fund balance increased by more than $1.3 million.
  • "General government" expenditures decreased by $1.8 million.
  • Property taxes decreased.
  • Average weekly wage is $531, up 12% from the previous year.-The county realized a 26% increase in job growth. 151 new jobs were created.
  • Early estimates show the business community made approximately $17.5 million worth of industrial and commercial investments in the county.