NEWS BRIEFS

City honored with Excellence in Financial Reporting for 18th straight year

The City of Beaufort has been recognized for the 18^th consecutive year for excellence in financial reporting.

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the City of Beaufort a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

“This marks the 18th consecutive year that the City of Beaufort has earned this distinction, which reflects our steadfast commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence in financial management,” said City Manager Scott Marshall in a news release. “I commend our Finance Department for their continued professionalism and dedication to upholding the highest standards in public financial reporting.”

The report was judged by a panel to meet the high standard of the program, which include demonstrating a “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate Beaufort’s financial story and motivate users to read the report. The City keeps all of its financial and budgeting information on its website, www.cityofbeaufort.org. Users can access the financial transparency tool to take a closer look at the City’s budget.

Level Up Parenting: Tools For The Journey

The Beaufort County Youth Conference and Forward Learning Consulting are sponsoring an event, Level Up Parenting: Tools For The Journey, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 16, at the St. Helena Branch Library.

The goal is to empower parents for a successful school year. There will be refreshments, door prizes and back-to-school parenting kits. Register at https://bit.ly/40afgiJ.

Saint Peter’s 65th annual Fall Bazaar vendors spaces available

Saint Peter’s Catholic Church will hold its 65^th annual Fall Bazaar on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., on the church campus at 70 Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort.

The Bazaar features international foods, a craft fair, a sweet shoppe, in-person and online silent auctions, wine and beer garden, plant sale, church tours, and Kids Zone with inflatables, games, and the Beaufort Barnyard Petting Zoo.

Artists and crafts people interested in a 10-foot-by-10-foot space can send an email to gather@stpetersbeaufort.org for more information. Indoor space is very limited, so those interested should reach out as soon as possible.

The Bazaar will raise funds for Lowcountry Outreach, a Saint Peter’s ministry that works to increase scarce services in northern Beaufort County. Lowcountry Outreach partners with several agencies and services such as Good Neighbor Medical Clinic, Lowcountry Legal Volunteers, and Alienated Parents of Adult Children among others. Its Angel Rides program has completed more than 850 rides for people needing transportation to medical and other needed appointments. Additional information can be found at www.LowcounryOutreach.org.

Poll workers needed; training available

The Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County will be holding 10 new poll worker training classes.

All of the classes will be held at the main office, located at 15 John Galt Road, Beaufort, S.C. 29906. The classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the following dates: Wednesday, July 16; Saturday, July 26; Wednesday, Aug. 20; and Wednesday, Sept. 17.

To sign up for a class, visit https://beaufortsc.easypollworker.com/home.

United Way of the Lowcountry offers additional free tax prep days

United Way of the Lowcountry’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering additional free tax preparation days to help qualifying residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties file their federal and state tax returns accurately and efficiently.

The program – a collaboration between the IRS, Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, and United Way of the Lowcountry (UWLC) – is designed to assist low-income individuals and families, non-English speaking taxpayers, people with disabilities, and seniors with their tax filing needs.

In Bluffton, the service is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays, July 28; and September 29, at the Bluffton Public Library at 120 Palmetto Drive.

In Beaufort, the service is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, August 25 at the United Way of the Lowcountry Beaufort Office at 1277 Ribaut Road.

Limited spots are available, and in-person appointments are required. Visit www.uwlowcountry.org/VITAto reserve your spot, check for eligibility requirements and to find a list of necessary documents to bring.

Human Services accepting grant applications

Beaufort County Human Services is accepting applications for the FY26 Grant Program. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Aug. 22. Any application received after that date, will not be considered.

According to the Community Services Grant Program webpage, “Funds for this grant program are provided by County Council of Beaufort County. Established in 2013, the Beaufort County Community Services Grants Program supports local non-profit human service organizations in enhancing residents’ quality of life. All grant awards are contingent upon the availability of funding.”

To be eligible for the Community Services Grant, organizations are required to meet specific criteria:

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose mission aligns with improving quality of life for Beaufort County residents, particularly those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged
Agencies must directly serve Beaufort County and use all awarded funds for the benefit of its residents
Only one application per organization (identified by EIN) will be accepted, and fiscal agents are not permitted
Agencies seeking funding must register their organization prior to applying; instructions are provided within the application

Eligibility, criteria, application timeline and the application itself are all outlined at https://bit.ly/4l8UTe8 for interested groups.

Funds may not be used for: