No rain on this parade
BEAUFORT – This community does love a parade!
After a two-year absence related to COVID, the Parris Island Marine Corps Band was out in front on Memorial Day, leading the parade of military units, Gullah entertainers and politicians down the main streets of Beaufort.
Unlike the Christmas and Water Festival parades, the Memorial Day parade, organized by the local chapter of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, allowed political campaigning from the participating units. With the June 14 primaries approaching and the early voting period now open, more than a half-dozen local candidates were there, waving and soliciting support.
The elected Beaufort City Council members floated down the street along with a vehicle from the local Democratic Party.
Red, white and blue were the colors of the day and the support for those who had served the country was proudly on display.
Let’s hope all those folks show up to cast a ballot … whether red or blue.
Making budgets: The not-so-fun part of government
BEAUFORT – Certainly not all local politicians took part in Monday’s parade. Perhaps they were out campaigning elsewhere or resting up for the debate ahead on county, municipal and school board budgets.
Ah, budgets, not a sexy subject or very interesting for most, … until your property tax bill arrives in the fall and you may, or may not, be in for a surprise.
Starting with the County Council, they’ve given the first of three necessary votes to a $142 million 2023 operating budget, which does not require, at this point, a millage increase.
The County Council also has to bless the county school board’s $298 million budget which is projected to require a 4 mill increase. But remember, primary homeowners do not have to pay taxes on school operations, only second-home owners.
The Beaufort City Council is looking at a $30.7 million operating budget which reflects a 13 percent increase but no tax increases. They’ve got a public hearing and first of two necessary votes of approval on the June 14 agenda.
The Port Royal Town Council is working on an $8 million operating budget which will be the subject of a public hearing this week.
In the coming weeks, there will be more details on these spending plans.
At the same time, the county and municipal powers-to-be have to come up with a resolution on the issue of impact fees on new development whose new owners will create more demand for services like more libraries, parks and recreational facilities, road improvements.
Operating budgets, taxes, impact fees, … as if we could forget, there is no free lunch.
One more piece of lowdown
BEAUFORT – It’s officially Hurricane season and you’re going to be hearing a lot about getting prepared. Indeed, the first tropical storm of the Atlantic Coast season has already formed off the coast of Mexico.
If you’re new to the area, remain calm. This, too, shall pass.
Lolita Huckaby Watson is a community volunteer and former reporter/ editorial assistant/columnist with The Beaufort Gazette, The Savannah Morning News, Bluffton Today, Beaufort Today and The Robesonian (Lumberton, N.C.). She can be reached at bftbay@gmail.com.
