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Town News This Week - June 20, 2026 |
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Our new fiscal year (FY 2027) starts July 1, and we are entering the year with a new budget that supports our Strategic Action Plan and ongoing investments in current and future quality-of-life services for residents, businesses, workforce, and visitors.
At its regular meeting and second public hearing on June 9, 2026, the Town Council approved (5-1) the second and final reading of an ordinance adopting the Consolidated Municipal Budget for Fiscal Year 2027, without a millage increase.
This balanced and strategic financial plan includes projected revenues and scheduled expenditures and encompasses all funds as follows:
- General Fund - $67,652,550
- Capital Improvements Program Fund - $55,205,752:
- FY 2026 Carry Forward - $12,181,755
- FY 2027 New Funding - $41,785,792
- Debt Service Fund - $11,513,988
- Stormwater Utility Fund - $7,583,334
- Housing Fund - $3,211,498
- Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation Fund - $1,694,756
- Special Revenues Fund - $86,422,841
The FY 2027 Consolidated Balanced Budget totals $233,284,719. We encourage you to take a deeper dive into our budget and learn how it supports our Town.
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If you spot a robotic lawn mower in one of our Town parks, don’t worry - it’s on the job. These quiet, low-emission mowers help keep our green spaces looking their best while supporting healthier turf by reducing stress on the grass, limiting weeds and pests, and naturally returning nutrients to the soil through grass clippings.
This is the first year the Town has used robotic mowing technology, and we’ll continue evaluating its performance for possible expansion to other green spaces across the Island.
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This Week’s Progress (June 13-18)
Crews completed tilling in the South Beach area, helping to loosen and smooth the freshly pumped sand so it blends more naturally with the existing shoreline and creates a safer, more comfortable surface for beachgoers.
Marinex Construction continued demobilizing equipment, marking another step toward wrapping up the beach renourishment project.
Looking Ahead (June19-26)
Marinex will continue demobilizing equipment over the next week, level out areas of significant scarfing (steep sand edges created during construction) along the beach, and conduct final surveys as part of the beach renourishment process. These surveys confirm that the project meets design specifications and verify the volume of sand placed by the contractor.
Beachgoers are encouraged to remain cautious while visiting the beach as the crews complete final touches and remove remaining work equipment.
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The Hilton Head Island Town Council has appointed Brittany Ward of Finger, Melnick, Brooks & LaBruce P.A. as its next Town Attorney. Ward succeeds Curtis Coltrane, who served the community with distinction for over 20 years.
Ward was chosen following a competitive bid process and will assume the role on July 1. As Town Attorney, she will advise the Town Council, Town Manager, Municipal Clerk, and Town staff on legal matters related to Town administration.
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Is your organization interested in applying for a 2027 Accommodations Tax (ATAX) Grant? If so, plan to attend one of our upcoming workshops at Town Hall, 1 Town Center Court, on the following dates:
- Tuesday, July 7, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
- Thursday, July 9, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
These workshops will provide an overview of the grant application process, including completing the application, key deadlines, and reimbursement procedures. Attendance is required for all new and returning applicants. To RSVP, please email the following information to CindaiaE@hiltonheadislandsc.gov:
- Name of attendee(s)
- Organization name and contact information
- Preferred workshop date
Reminder: The ATAX application for the Town will be available beginning 8 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, at hiltonheadislandsc.gov.
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The Town of Hilton Head Island announces the candidate filing period and procedures for the 2026 Municipal Election to elect a Mayor and Town Council members for Wards 2, 4, and 5, during the general election that will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Candidates who are elected will serve four-year terms.
The candidate filing period begins at noon on July 31, 2026, and ends at noon on Aug. 17, 2026. Persons interested in filing for candidacy must call 843-384-7678 to schedule an appointment during the filing period with Town Clerk Kimberly Gammon, who manages the filing process. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1 Town Center Court.
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Our administrative offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the July Fourth holiday that falls on a Saturday this year. Emergency services will remain available throughout the holiday.
This July Fourth marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States of America. At its June 9 meeting, Mayor Alan Perry issued a proclamation to commemorate this significant milestone. We wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July as you participate in celebrations around the Island and with family and friends.
Town administrative offices will reopen for regular business hours at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 6.
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Starting June 22, the Town’s contractor will perform drainage work along the pedestrian boardwalk at Jarvis Creek Park (50 Jarvis Creek Road) to address erosion beneath and around the structure. Work is scheduled between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. and is anticipated to take two to four days, weather permitting. For safety, pedestrians should avoid all barricaded or coned-off areas during construction. For more information, contact Cary Adams, Stormwater Maintenance Manager, at CaryA@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or 843-341-4706.
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To ensure compliance with the requirements of the Land Management Ordinance (LMO) and Municipal Code, a building permit will be required for the installation or modification of driveways at all residential properties, effective July 1, 2026.
Once submitted, plans will be reviewed by staff for compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations. This review will also ensure compliance with the updated Short-term Rental (STR) ordinance, which - as of May 1, 2026 - prohibits homeowners who operate vacation rentals from expanding their driveways or adding new parking areas to accommodate their STR guests without first obtaining written approval from the Town. The updated ordinance can be found here.
Building permit applications can be submitted online via the Town's self-service portal or in person at Town Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Kabala, Community Development Services Manager, at 843-341-4698 or via email at KatieK@hiltonheadislandsc.gov.
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Not every Fire Rescue call involves lights, sirens, or emergencies.
Recently, our crews helped rescue two cats from places they definitely weren't supposed to be. With patience and a little creativity, both furry friends were safely reunited with the outside world. Calls like these may not happen every day, but they're always a nice reminder that helping our community comes in all shapes and sizes—and that every rescue matters.
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 The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, placing coastal communities at risk for hurricanes and other tropical weather events. Preparing before a storm threatens can help protect lives and property, and speed recovery efforts after an event. To help the public stay safe and be ready, we have developed guides outlining essential steps everyone should take to prepare for hurricanes.
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Guide to Emergency Preparedness
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Emergency Preparedness Field Guide
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Statewide runoff elections take place on Tuesday, June 23. Before heading out to vote, please check your voter registration cards or visit scVOTES.gov to make sure you know where your voting precinct is located. Beaufort County election officials have temporarily moved polling locations for three Hilton Head Island precincts:
- Hilton Head 9D (in Ward 3) will vote at St. Luke's Church.
- Hilton Head 10 (Wards 1 & 4) will vote at the Hilton Head School for Creative Arts.
- Spanish Wells (Wards 1 & 3) will vote at the Hilton Head School for Creative Arts
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Please remember to bring some form of identification. Acceptable forms include:
- South Carolina Driver’s License (does NOT have to be the Real ID)
- ID Card issued by SC DMV to include Concealed weapon’s permit
- Voter Registration Card w/photo
- Federal Military ID to include VA
- United States Passport
For more information, please contact the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County at 843-255-6900 or visit the website.
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Local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to attend our free “Money Talks” seminars designed to help start, strengthen, and sustain their businesses. The series, which began this week, is sponsored by the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (CDC). Each session features expert-led discussions on key business topics such as financing, legal and tax issues, fraud prevention, and government contract procurement strategies. The second seminar, "The Legal Side of Entrepreneurship," is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30. All sessions will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Hilton Head Island Recreation Center, 20 Wilborn Road. Participants may attend all sessions or just those most relevant to their needs. For more information or to register for upcoming sessions in July and August, call 843-384-9721. We hope to see you there.
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What an incredible weekend at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park with music, food, vendors, history, and more! The 12th Annual Juneteenth Celebration at the park brought our community together to honor freedom and reflect on the significance of June 19. Surrounded by Mitchelville’s rich history, the celebration commemorated the day in 1865 when news of emancipation finally reached enslaved African Americans in Texas—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth stands as a powerful reminder of African American freedom and resilience, while celebrating the heritage and contributions that continue to shape our nation and community. Check out our Juneteenth proclamation and our photo gallery capturing highlights from the celebration.
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