|
Town News This Week - April 4, 2026 |
|
 Members of our Fire Rescue Department in front of our new Fire Rescue headquarters at 9 and 10 Park Lane.
Town Council has approved the Fiscal Year 2026 consolidated budget amendment on seconding reading for the Capital Improvement Program Fund, Debt Service Fund, General Fund, and the Town of Hilton Head Island Master Fee Schedule, specifically related to short-term rental permits.
On June 3, 2025, the Town Council approved a balanced Fiscal Year 2026 consolidated budget totaling $174,711,350 in projected revenues and expenditures. The budget amendment supports ongoing expenditures and new initiatives outlined in the Town's Fiscal Years 2026-2028 Strategic Action Plan from land acquisitions previously approved by Town Council and short-term rental program operations to new fire rescue equipment and additional funding support.
Mayor Alan Perry added, "When we adopted our budget last year, we knew adjustments would be needed to accommodate unforeseen projects and new, positive opportunities in real-time; we continue to align the financial plan with our ongoing strategic goals."
|
|
The Hilton Head Island Town Council has approved a $400,000 sponsorship agreement for the 58th annual 2026 RBC Heritage Golf Tournament, a PGA TOUR Signature Event.
This year’s event takes place the week of April 13-19 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines Resort, with play commencing on Thursday April 16. The RBC Heritage, which made its debut in 1969, ranks annually among the most-attended professional sporting events in the Carolinas. The Heritage Classic Foundation is the host organization of the RBC Heritage and donates tournament proceeds to charitable organizations in the Lowcountry.
In December 2025, the RBC Heritage and Hilton Head Island community were recognized by the PGA TOUR in two significant ways: with a PGA TOUR 2025 “Best Of” award for the “Most Fan First Event,” and local nonprofit, Hilton Head Island Deep Well Project, was named the 2025 PGA TOUR Charity of the Year.
|
|
This Week’s Progress (March 28-April 3)
Marinex Construction:
- Completed sand pumping along the central stretch of the island’s shoreline in the Leamington and Palmetto Dunes areas late Thursday afternoon. Approximately 835,000 cubic yards of sand were placed along the entire Central Atlantic beach, from Coligny Beach to Singleton Beach. Tilling is the next phase; we will provide advance notice of that schedule.
- Repaired a sidewalk at Fish Haul Beach that was damaged during early stages of the beach renourishment project.
Cape Romain Contractors are nearing the finish line with building breakwater structures at Pine Island Beach. The beach is still closed to the public while this work continues.
Looking Ahead (April 4-10)
Marinex Construction will be mobilizing equipment and operations south of Coligny Beach in preparation for sand placement at South Beach in Sea Pines, weather permitting.
Cape Romain Contractors anticipates completing breakwater structure work and tilling at Pine Island Beach. We will let you know when the beach reopens.
|
|
Our community will now benefit from enhanced enforcement, 24/7 rapid response hotline, and stronger neighborhood protections under the next phase of our short-term rental program.
On March 31, the Hilton Head Island Town Council approved the second reading of an ordinance amending the FY2026 budget to expand and modernize the Island’s Short-Term Rental (STR) Program. The enhancements, which went into effect immediately, 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 changes move the Town’s STR program from complaint-based to performance-driven, and with coordinated accountability.
“This program strengthens our ability to protect neighborhoods while supporting responsible short-term rentals,” said Mayor Alan Perry. “Hilton Head Island is a community first—and this approach ensures STRs continue to contribute positively to our Island.”
|
|
The April 30, 2026, deadline for business license renewals is approaching. As a reminder, business owners are encouraged to complete and submit their business license renewal applications by to avoid paying any late penalties. After the renewal application is processed, business owners will receive a new license valid from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027.
For more information on renewing or obtaining a new business license, please contact the Town’s Revenue Services Office at 843-341-4677.
|
|
Hilton Head Island’s free Breeze Trolley returns Saturday, April 11, rolling through the season until Labor Day. Running daily from 1 to 10 p.m., the trolley operates a continuous 60-minute loop anchored at Shelter Cove Towne Centre. From there, it travels in both directions to Coligny Beach Park — about 30 minutes each way — stopping at popular destinations along the route.
Rounding out the options, the fare-free Summer Coligny Beach Shuttle launches Friday, May 22, and runs through Sept. 17 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and select holidays — Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4, and Labor Day. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with pickups every 20 minutes between the USCB Hilton Head Campus off Office Park Road and Coligny Beach. Simply park at USCB and enjoy a quick, hassle-free ride to the beach — no parking fees required.
|
|
Town contractors will survey multiple locations from April through early May, including Bay Pines Community, Brighton Bay, Helmsman Way, and the entrance to Palmetto Bay Marina. These surveys are being conducted to evaluate and plan improvements to the Town’s storm water infrastructure, as outlined in the Fiscal Years 2026–2028 Strategic Action Plan. Crews will work Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents, motorists, and pedestrians in these areas are encouraged to use caution. No road or area closures are expected during this period. For project information, contact Chris McVey at ChrisM@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or 854-280-5520.
|
|
April is National Volunteer Month, making it the perfect time to recognize a group of residents who have just received the Hilton Head Island Mayor's Honored Islander Award: Chris Shively, Linda Ferguson, Don Hendrickson, William Bilek, and Bernie Riedel. This award goes to Islanders whose ongoing volunteer work and kindness make our community stronger, support local organizations that rely on hands-on help, and lift up those around them. We appreciate their efforts, as well as the dedication of the many other volunteers who give their time and energy to causes throughout our community. We are excited to share their stories of giving back.
|
|
Here at the Town, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible staff volunteers.
Our mission includes making volunteering a priority. With the creation of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Leave Program, employees have the opportunity to use up to 10 paid hours to support qualified charitable volunteer efforts in the Hilton Head Island community. In 2025, staff contributed a total of 1,325+ hours, volunteering with more than 34 organizations, including The Deep Well Project, Heritage Foundation, the Hilton Head Firefighters Association, and others.
We are proud of the positive impact our staff continues to make and look forward to building on that momentum with even more volunteer efforts in 2026.
|
|
Now is your chance to join the Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue as a volunteer and serve your community right here at home. Recently the Town has purchased an office building at 10 Park Lane that will serve as the new Fire Rescue Headquarters. To support this transition, Fire Rescue is launching a volunteer program offering citizens a meaningful way to support the Fire Rescue mission.
Volunteer Schedule
- Weekdays (Monday–Friday)
- Morning shift: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Afternoon shift: 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
- Greet visitors and determine how Fire Rescue can assist them
- Answer and route incoming calls on the main Fire Rescue phone line
- Retrieve after-hours phone messages and deliver them to the appropriate personnel via email or other approved methods
Have what it takes to serve your community? Now’s your chance
|
|
 Our Short-Term Rental Services Supervisor, Barbara Wooster, recently appeared on WHHI-TV to talk about short-term rentals next phase and new requirements.
Alex Brown: Community Conversation on Capital Projects 2026
WHHI-TV-March 12, 2026
Peter Janura: Calling 911 for Cardiac Arrest
WHHI-TV-March 11, 2026
Lowcountry Celebration Park: Landscape Architecture That Connects, Educates, and Inspires
Landscape Architect & Specifier News-March 27, 2026
New park will preserve 4,000-year-old shell rings on Hilton Head Island
Post & Courier-March 27, 2026
Each month, Mayor Alan Perry updates residents on Town initiatives and community events through his columns published in the Hilton Head Sun and CH2 Magazine.
|
|
|
|
|
