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Town News This Week - July 25, 2025 |
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The Town has been awarded a AAA rating—the highest possible credit rating—from S&P Global Ratings for its outstanding general obligation bonds. This upgrade, from AA+, underscores the Town’s strong financial management practices, well-structured fiscal policies, and commitment to long-term capital planning.
In addition to the AAA GO bond rating, S&P upgraded the Town’s special obligation bonds, backed by beach preservation and hospitality fees, to AA+ from AA, citing improved reserve levels and prudent debt management.
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If you missed our most recent Town Council meeting, here's a summary of actions that took place, including adoption of the Town of Hilton Head Island Strategic Action Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2028, approval of a new South Carolina Accommodations Tax (SC ATAX) policy, opposition to proposed offshore drilling program as proposed by the National Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, approval of amendments to the Land Management Ordinance (LMO), and adoption of municipal code amendments governing Committees of Council.
A full recording of the meeting is available on the Town's YouTube channel, and a complete meeting overview (agenda and packet materials) is posted on the Town's website. The next regular Town Council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 19 at 3 p.m.
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The Town is hosting two mandatory training workshops for organizations interested in applying for 2026 Accommodations Tax (A-Tax) grants. Both sessions will take place in Benjamin M. Racusin Council Chambers at Town Hall, 1 Town Center Court, on the following dates:
- Wednesday, July 30, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, July 31, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
All new and returning applicants must attend the mandatory workshops, which will provide information on how to complete the application, the applicant evaluation process and reimbursement procedures and requirements.
Applicants planning to attend the workshops must RSVP by emailing micheleb@hiltonheadislandsc.gov. Please provide your name, organization name, contact information and preferred workshop date.
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Join us for the second installment of Money Talks, an engaging seminar series designed to support small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in developing and sustaining their businesses. Session two will focus on access to capital and funding opportunities.
Tuesday, August 19
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Hilton Head Island Recreation Center, 20 Wilborn Road
Now in its second year, Money Talks is presented by the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (CDC) in partnership with TD Bank and the Island Rec Center. This informative series will continue monthly through November, always from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Hilton Head Island Recreation Center. In a recent interview on WHHI-TV, Thomas Boxley, Executive Director of the CDC, gave a break down of what to expect from the Money Talks seminar series.
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As we mark the end of John Campbell’s tenure as a Planning Commissioner from 2022 to 2025, we want to express our deepest gratitude for his dedication, leadership, and service to the Town. Over the past three years, John brought insight, balance, and a strong commitment to thoughtful community planning.
In addition to his role on the Planning Commission, John also served on the Gullah-Geechee Land & Cultural Preservation Task Force from 2017 to 2025, contributing to the preservation of the island's historic neighborhoods. We thank John for his years of public service and for the care he brought to every decision.
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Join us as we honor Frank Babel on Wednesday, July 30 at 9 a.m. at the Shelter Cove Community Park Pavilion. This pathway dedication event is a chance to recognize Frank’s passion and persistence, which have helped make Hilton Head Island a bike-friendly community. In 2006, Frank led a small group of biking enthusiasts to form the Squeaky Wheels Bicycle Advocacy Group, dedicated to raising awareness, promoting cycling, and working with local leaders to improve biking facilities and safety across the island. His efforts have left a lasting impact, and we look forward to celebrating his contributions together.
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Beaufort County Solid Waste launched a new interactive app to help residents reduce household waste and ensure they are recycling correctly. Recycle Coach is available for download in the app store from any mobile device.
Recycle Coach is a network that will allow the County Solid Waste Department to communicate recycling information to the residents of Beaufort County. The platform includes engagement and educational tools as well as answers to frequently asked recycling questions meant to help people manage and correctly dispose of their waste.
The app helps empower residents to make smarter disposal decisions and take an active approach to reducing household waste. The department's goal is to encourage as many people as possible to download and use the recycling information thereby increasing the amount of recycling which in turn, will reduce the contamination in the recycling stream.
Residents can download the app in either the Google Store and the Apple Store or they can access Recycle Coach from their desktop computers and mobile devices.
For more information, please contact Victoria Hoffman, Solid Waste and Recycling Program Manager, at 843-255-2736.
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This week, some of our senior staff and Fire Rescue personnel from the Town partnered with The Outside Foundation to support the community-based Oyster Shell Recycling and Bed Restoration Project. The event took place in the Broad Creek, where volunteers work together to place rows of bagged oyster shells.
The primary goal of the project is to establish a grassroots, community-wide oyster shell recycling program on Hilton Head Island. By returning oyster shells to the ecosystem through reef and shoreline restoration, the initiative supports the health and sustainability of local marine environments.
A heartfelt thank you to The Outside Foundation's Executive Director, Jean Fruh, for her leadership and dedication to this vital cause. Through efforts like this, we’re not only enhancing our island’s natural beauty; we’re also preserving it for generations to come.
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Meet the Quench Buggy, the Lowcountry’s first solar-powered, mobile hydration station that made its debut at the 9th Annual Keep the Broad Creek Clean Festival on July 15. This innovative water station provides chilled, filtered water from refill spouts and fountains, helping eliminate the need for single-use plastic bottles at local events.
Funded in part by an accommodations tax grant, the Quench Buggy supports the Town’s strategic priority to protect and preserve our natural environment while enhancing the quality of life for all who live, work, and play here. Town staff also participated in the festival to share information on preserving and protecting our natural resources.
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