Thursday, June 15th, 5:30-7:00 pm at
HALO SALON & SPA
presents
ISLAND GIRLS NIGHT OUT
JUNE 8 - 14, 2017
CATERED BY BRODY’S BAR & GRILL • WINE PROVIDED BY RED THE RESTAURANT & WINE BOUTIQUE
184 Sea Island Parkway • LADY’S ISLAND • (843) 524-HALO
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COVERING BEAUFORT COUNT
No new taxes for Beaufort residents Staff reports
A balanced budget means no new taxes for Beaufort residents. “The budget is balanced and provides for increases in core services and the building of sustainable economic development programs without increasing property, debt, hospitality and accommodations taxes, refuse or stormwater fees,” said Beaufort City Manager Bill Prokop in a press release. Slight increases in anticipated revenue to the city of Beaufort along with tight controls on spending make for a balanced budget that allows for appropriate and expected levels of service across the historic city, Prokop said. The city estimates it will bring in about 7.8 percent more revenue during fiscal year 2018
compared to FY2017, which ends June 30. The public is invited to comment about the proposed budget June 13 during the regular City Council meeting, after which a first reading of the budget ordinance is scheduled. “The FY2018 budget continues the trend of recent years with limited increases and recovery in property values and revenues matched with the pressures of increased expenses for both core services and economic development activities,” Prokop wrote in the budget presentation to City Council. According to the city, following are key points of the proposed FY2018 budget: • It continues the process of taking the city down the path toward long-term financial sustainability;
• It identifies and funds vital services that are important to the community; • It enables the implementation of the five major goals of the city and other important council objectives; • It allows the city to reinvest in infrastructure; • And it provides employees with the tools, equipment and training needed to deliver services in the most effective way. “The proposed budget includes resources that will allow the city to provide a high level of public safety services to all our residents, including the newly annexed areas,” said Kathy Todd, city of Beaufort finance director. Equally important, the proposed budget “begins to address a significant backlog of
UPCOMING MEETINGS • 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13: Public hearing on FY2018 Budget in City Council meeting, then first reading on the budget ordinance in City Council meeting. • 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 27: Second reading on FY2018 budget ordinance All meetings will be held at City Hall at 1911 Boundary St.
existing infrastructure and facility deficiencies,” she said, “as well as initiating a capital leasing program for the fleet and heavy equipment needs for the aging vehicle stock.” The recommended budget can be viewed on the city’s website at www.cityofbeaufort.org.
Cleanup efforts are deemed success
Matthew keeping marinas buzzing By Lisa Allen
Plans are to focus on a new street each year in the area between Carteret Street and Ribaut Road to re-energize Beaufort neighborhoods, said Deborah Johnson, who works with the Redevelopment Commission on the project. Hands-on volunteers for the Street-byStreet Infill Initiative at Duke Street have included neighbors and residents; Beaufort Housing Authority staff, board members and contractors; Clemson Cooperative Extension horticultural agent Laura Lee Rose; Lowcountry Master Gardeners, led by Sheila Drouin who designed the landscaping; Cub Scout Pack #1; designer/artist Jeremiah Smith who designed and coordinated painting of the murals; the city of Beaufort, including the Redevelopment Commission, mayor and city council, planning department, public works department, police and fire departments.
While reluctant to taut their good fortune, local marinas along the Beaufort River came out ahead after Hurricane Matthew. Rion Salley, general manager of Port Royal Landings Marina, said his marina suffered more damage during Tropical Storm Hermine the month earlier than it did during Hurricane Matthew. The winds from Hermine came from the south-southeast, traveling right up the Beaufort River. The winds from Matthew were more westerly, hitting the sea islands and sweeping up St. Helena Sound toward Dataw Island. The hurricane also spared the Downtown Marina in Beaufort and the Lady’s Island Marina any major damage. The 16-slip H dock at the Downtown Marina was damaged, but marina general manager Rick Griffin said it had been overdue for repairs before the storm. Its brand-new replacement opened in mid-May. Lady’s Island Marina had minimal damage and was up and running within days of the hurricane, said Mary Hunt, dock master. Dataw Island Marina is another story. Its floating docks were destroyed, driving some boats onshore and sinking others. Plans to rebuild the docks will be up to the next owner; the marina is up for sale. Add on the many private docks that were damaged, many of them uninsured, and the demand for slips exceeds supply. “We’re about a 140-slip marina and we’re full,” Salley said. “That’s pretty unusual, but a lot of people
See VOLUNTEERS page A7
See MARINAS page A7
These are just some of the hundreds of people who have turned out over the last several months to help improve Duke Street. Photo provided.
Staff reports
Beaufort city leaders are celebrating a successful grassroots partnership that has improved a section of downtown’s Duke Street. To celebrate the program, a ribbon cutting was held June 6 at 1205 Duke St. in recognition of the hundreds of volunteer hours that helped make the project possible. Part of the Beaufort Redevelopment Commission’s “Street by Street” initiative, the Duke Street demonstration site work began in summer 2016 through a partnership with the Beaufort Housing Authority, city of Beaufort, Clemson Extension and Lowcountry Master Gardeners. The project involved painting the three public housing duplexes, one of which houses the city of Beaufort Police Substation, with fresh colors; landscaping the homes with native plants; creating a pocket park on what was previously a bare section of land that had once been a parking lot; and creat-
ing two colorful murals. “This is an exceptional example of what can happen when we join hands,” Beaufort City Manager Bill Prokop said. “Now we have a visible and viable showcase of the ‘Street by Street’ project and we look forward to expanding it to other key areas.” Hundreds of volunteer hours were invested in transforming this Duke Street site, engaging residents, neighbors, master gardeners, Cub Scouts, city staff and elected officials in the process. Materials and services were donated by local businesses, organizations and residents. Planning and design for the project began in May 2016, and hands-on work began in late August 2016. More projects are on the horizon. On Saturday, July 1, the project will expand to Washington Street, with some continuation of Duke Street work until the end of 2017.
BEST OF THE BEST The Civitas Award winners have been named, and they’re the best of the best in our community. PAGE A4
CYAN-AOOO
MAGENTA-OAOO
YELLOW-OOAO
SWINGIN’ TO A BEAT The Swingin’ Medallions will perform Friday, June 9, at the Jasper County Farmers Market. PAGE B1
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