Beaufort’s Municipal Councils Wrap Up 2024 with Contrasting Meetings
BEAUFORT – Last week wrapped up the final meetings for the municipal councils of Beaufort and Port Royal, and boy, what a difference in atmosphere! If you’ve ever watched the two councils meet, you know it can feel like a tale of two cities. While one council walked away with a sense of accomplishment and community support, the other was left juggling unfinished business!
A Busy Night in Port Royal
Down in Port Royal, the Town Council had quite the gathering for their final meeting. A good crowd assembled to witness the Council’s final reading of a new ordinance. This regulation has put a limit on short-term rentals, which has been a hot topic among residents. Earlier in the year, the Council imposed a moratorium, deciding to hit the brakes on new short-term rental licenses. They wanted a citizen task force to figure out a plan to manage the growing number of these rentals popping up around town.
The atmosphere was lively as speakers took to the podium, sharing their views on the changes. Most of them were in favor, showing clear concern for the increasing number of short-term rentals affecting the neighborhood vibe. One speaker even took a moment to express gratitude towards the council for not only the new STR regulations but also for the stricter tree regulations introduced this year, the expanded sidewalks, speed bumps, and for the heartfelt tree-lighting ceremony that brightened up the town for Christmas!
Beaufort City Council’s Unfinished Business
Meanwhile, across Ribaut Road, the mood at the Beaufort City Hall was quite different. Mayor Phil Cromer, along with Council members Neil Lipsitz and Mitch Mitchell, were sworn in for another term after their re-election last month. However, the council’s plans were somewhat thwarted as they realized they hadn’t wrapped up their work regarding ARPA grants. This led to an unexpected twist – they had to hold another meeting this week to tie up those loose ends!
Beaufort County Council’s Secretive Send-Off
And speaking of unfinished business, the Beaufort County Council concluded their meeting with some lingering controversies that have marred their year. It appears Chairman Joe Passiment left attendees underwhelmed after orchestrating a secret meeting just days prior to wrap up the year. He met with Hilton Head town officials about the U.S. 278 bridge project – an endeavor that now faces a hefty budget shortfall of $190 million. No one from the press was invited to this private forum, which understandably created a bit of discontent among council members.
One council member, Tom Reitz, whose district is particularly affected by the bridge discussions, wasn’t shy about expressing his discontent during a recent meeting. He called out both Passiment and Council Vice-Chair Larry McElynn, suggesting they resign from their leadership roles altogether. Talk about keeping things spicy on the council agenda! It’s clear folks are eager to see how this will shake out when meetings resume in January!
Looking Forward to 2025
As we turn the page to a new year, both the Beaufort and Port Royal councils have their work cut out for them. Among the issues on many residents’ minds is how they will tackle the growing concerns over short-term rentals and funding for major infrastructure projects. 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year, and locals are hopeful for collaboration and transparency ahead!
With each municipality tackling its unique challenges and triumphs, one thing is for sure: as they move forward, the residents of both towns will be watching closely and eagerly awaiting the next chapter in their community stories.
