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Town News This Week - March 21, 2026 |
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The Hilton Head Island Town Council has approved the first reading of an ordinance amending the FY2026 budget to expand and modernize the Island’s Short-Term Rental (STR) Program. The proposed enhancements represent the next phase of the Town’s efforts to protect neighborhood quality of life while supporting a strong tourism economy.
Short-term rentals remain a major part of Hilton Head Island’s visitor economy, supporting local businesses, sustaining jobs, and generating state and local tax revenues. As the number of rentals has grown on the Island, the Town is enhancing its program to ensure STRs operate responsibly and with respect for residential neighborhoods. The proposed changes move the Town’s STR program from complaint-based to performance-driven, and with coordinated accountability. With these proposed changes, the community will benefit from enhanced enforcement, 24/7 rapid response hotline, and stronger neighborhood protections.
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The Land Management Ordinance (LMO) Task Force will hold its next meeting on Thursday, March 26 at 5 p.m., at Town Hall. We invite residents and stakeholders to attend and stay informed as the Task Force continues its work reviewing and recommending updates to the LMO. Public input remains an important part of this process as the Town works to ensure the LMO continues to reflect the community’s vision for Hilton Head Island.
View meeting details, agendas, and materials: https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/.../lmo_task_force/index.php
Read the most recent update on the LMO review process: https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/news_detail_T6_R164.php
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This Week’s Progress (March 14-20)
Marinex Construction continued replenishing sand along the central stretch of the Island’s shoreline, heading north on the shoreline along the Leamington and Palmetto Dunes areas.
Cape Romain Contractors kept building breakwater structures at Pine Island Beach. The beach is still closed to the public while this work continues.
Looking Ahead (March 21-27)
Marinex Construction will continue replenishing sand along the central stretch of the Island’s shoreline, weather permitting. Follow our beach renourishment tracker to see where work is happening.
Marinex will land a pipeline this weekend near Beach Marker 16 in Sea Pines. This is the first step to prepare for the upcoming placement of beach fill, expected to start around April 1. The pipeline will connect the offshore Barrett Shoals borrow site to the beach.
Cape Romain Contractors will continue to work on the breakwater structures at Pine Island Beach. They anticipate completing them the first week of April, with beach tilling to follow. We'll let you know the exact reopening date soon.
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The Geotechnical exploration required as part of the design for the US 278 Eastbound Bridge replacement is scheduled to got underway this week. A barge arrived on site Wednesday night, March 18. Barge activities and drilling operations began on Thursday, March 19. There are no anticipated traffic interruptions, as all work will be barge-based, occurring outside of the US 278 travel lanes. At this time, the work is expected to take approximately six weeks, weather and tide-dependent.
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The Hilton Head Island Town Council seeks dedicated residents to fill vacancies for service on several boards, commissions, and committees. Openings are currently available for the following positions:
Construction Board of Adjustments & Appeals
- Building Industry/General Contractor
- Mechanical Contractor
- Electrical/At Large
- Building Industry
Design Review Board
- Landscape Architect
- Architect
Parks & Recreation Commission
Housing Action Committee
- Workforce Housing Advocate
To qualify, applicants must be registered voters within the Town of Hilton Head Island. Applications are kept on file for two years. Learn more about vacancies, responsibilities, and requirements here.
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This week, the Town and Beaufort County started work to enhance and protect one of the Island’s most historic landmarks, Ford’s Shell Rings, while also creating a passive public park for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Located at 273 Squire Pope Road, this 6.8-acre wooded waterfront lot is named for its last private owner, Henry Ford. The site was purchased for $3.95 million in 2003 by the Town and Beaufort County to protect two 4,000-year-old shell rings from development. In 2020, the Beaufort County Council voted unanimously to approve the construction of a passive park surrounding the shell rings, ensuring their preservation while allowing the public to experience and learn from them. Work at the proposed public park include the following:
- Adding accessible parking spaces, a pervious parking area, a drive aisle, and an asphalt apron in the right-of-way area.
- Creating earth trails and earthen drives that allow visitors to navigate throughout the site.
- Installing vehicular gates and split rail fencing.
- Installing interpretive signage highlighting the history of the site.
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As Town Manager Marc Orlando marks five years with the Town of Hilton Head Island, we recognize a period defined by strategic focus, strong partnerships, and meaningful progress for our community.
These accomplishments reflect the collective efforts of a dedicated Town staff working in close partnership with Town Council and community stakeholders. Our progress is rooted in collaboration, shared vision, and a commitment to serving residents, businesses, and visitors with professionalism and integrity.
On behalf of Town Council, Mayor Alan Perry noted the importance of this partnership, saying:
“The strength of Hilton Head Island is rooted in the dedication of our staff, the leadership of our Town Manager, and the collective work we do together to serve our community and sustain and improve the quality of life that makes our town special.”
Marc added:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and thankful to Town Council, our outstanding staff, and our residents and partners who make this work possible. It is a privilege to live and work in this remarkable community.”
We thank Marc for his continued leadership and dedication to Hilton Head Island.
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The Town will conduct repairs to the Coligny boardwalk at 1 Coligny Circle from March 23 to March 27. A portion of the boardwalk will be closed during this time. All other park amenities will remain open during construction. Please use caution when in this area. For more information, please contact Michael Visokay, Facilities Maintenance Program Manager, at 843-342-4582 or MichaelV@hiltonheadislandsc.gov.
Town contractors will landscape along William Hilton Parkway, Cross Island Parkway, Pope Avenue, Palmetto Bay Road, Arrow Road, and New Orleans Road over the next three weeks. They will spread mulch in these areas. Please use caution, as crews will be working in medians and may enter or exit the roadway. For more information, contact Matthew Ashworth, Facilities Landscape & Grounds Manager, at 854-280-7771 or MatthewA@hiltonheadislandsc.gov.
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 Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue is proud to share its 2025 Annual Report. In 2025, the department responded to 10,040 calls for service, reflecting its ongoing commitment to protecting and serving the community. The report highlights key accomplishments, initiatives, and operations from throughout the year, offering insight into the vital role Fire Rescue plays across the Town.
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The Artist’s Gallery at Town Hall is an initiative to celebrate the contributions made by Hilton Head Island’s art community to the Town. The Artist’s Gallery is a public forum to highlight local artists, creating a space to showcase their work and an opportunity for our Town to honor the important role art plays in our community.
With the gallery set directly outside Benjamin M. Racusin Council Chambers on the administration hallway, visiting officials, employees, and citizens can explore a diverse display of art and culture from Hilton Head Island artists.
The current exhibit draws inspiration from golf, a sport that’s widely enjoyed across Hilton Head Island. As the host of the RBC Heritage, the island continues to inspire artists through both the sport and its scenic surroundings.
Featuring a mix of mediums and artistic styles, the collection offers a dynamic look at golf through a creative lens. Textured pieces, bold paintings, and detailed scenes line the gallery walls, each offering a unique interpretation.
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March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the incredible women who help make our community strong. From dedicated Town employees to the women of Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue, their work helps shape and strengthen our community every day.
We also want to highlight Town Council members Patsy Brison (Ward 2), Tamara Becker (Ward 4), and Melinda Tunner (Ward 6) for their leadership and dedication to the Town.
This year’s theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” recognizes women driving progress through environmental, economic, and educational initiatives that support a more sustainable future. Below, we’re proud to feature several inspiring women who serve the Town and make a difference.
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 Joheida Fister
Deputy Fire Chief, Administration - Fire Marshal
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What I enjoy most about serving the Hilton Head Island community in my role is seeing how the work we do continues to impact people’s lives long after our initial interaction. It is rewarding to run into students in the community after being in their classroom discussing STEM in the fire service and knowing those lessons will stay with them and might influence their career choices. It’s also incredibly meaningful when we respond to a home where we have installed smoke alarms and know they were alerted to the fire early and given the time they needed to safely evacuate. |
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 Kimberly Gammon
Town Clerk
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Being part of the Town of Hilton Head Island team means having the opportunity to serve a community that cares deeply about its future while working alongside dedicated professionals who share that commitment. Public service is about more than just completing tasks — it’s about stewardship, transparency, and helping ensure that the decisions we make today benefit residents, businesses, and visitors for years to come.
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 Morgan Thompson
Community Code Enforcement Officer
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As a Community Code Enforcement Officer, I enjoy educating residents and guests on how they can be better stewards of this beautiful island. Every day I get to work with residents, visitors, and businesses to help ensure our shared spaces remain safe and beautiful. Being able to play a small part in protecting the character of the island and supporting a community that values its environment and public spaces is incredibly rewarding. |
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 Lyna Phan
Employment Manager - HR
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Being part of the Town of Hilton Head Island team means having the opportunity to serve the community in a meaningful and purposeful way. My intrinsic motivation to serve others aligns strongly with the Town’s commitment to supporting residents, protecting the island’s unique character, and enhancing quality of life. Being on this team allows me to contribute to something much larger than myself—working collaboratively with dedicated professionals to make a positive and lasting impact on the community we serve. |
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The Clemson University Department of Plant Industry has launched a new identification and reporting system to help track and slow the spread of the invasive yellow-legged hornet in South Carolina. Residents who believe they have spotted a hornet or nest are encouraged to submit a photo through the system and leave the nest undisturbed so trained professionals can safely inspect and remove it.
In 2024 alone, 796 traps were set, and 4,998 trap services were completed in Beaufort and Jasper counties, resulting in 4,219 yellow-legged hornets captured and 16 nests located and removed in Beaufort County. Public reporting plays a critical role in helping experts locate nests early and protect South Carolina’s local bee populations.
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