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<p><strong>County Councilman Glover to host meeting on rising sea levels</strong></p>
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<p>Beaufort County Council Member York Glover (District 3) is hosting a District Meeting for the Warsaw and Eustice community at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, at Lady's Island Elementary School Auditorium.</p>
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<p>The discussion topic for this meeting is rising sea levels.</p>
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<p>Guest Speakers include: Robert Merchant, Beaufort County Planning and Zoning Department Director; and Juliana Smith, Beaufort County Community Development Long Range Planner.</p>
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<p>Residents do not need to register in advance for the meeting.</p>
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<p>For more information, please contact Beaufort County Council Member Glover by email at yglover@bcgov.net, by phone at 843-812-2909 or by mail at Beaufort County Council Member York Glover c/o Beaufort County Clerk to Council, P.O. Drawer 1228, Beaufort, S.C. 29901.</p>
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<p><strong>City Council considers first disbursement of ARPA funds</strong></p>
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<p>Beaufort City Council heard at its meeting Feb. 22 an amendment to the budget that would allocate $1.4 million in funds the City has received through the American Rescue Plan Act. Before making these recommendations, City Manager Bill Prokop sought input from department heads, the public and City Council itself.</p>
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<p>At the meeting, Finance Director Alan Eisenman recommended an initial disbursement that includes</p>
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<p>– $330,000 for one-time $1,500 bonuses for essential employee emergency pay. Employees who worked full-time during the Governor’s State of Emergency, which extended from mid-March 2020 to early June 2021, will receive these bonuses. Part-time employees will receive $500. City Council members, judges, and department heads are exempt from these bonuses. The City will also use these funds to provide a $25 credit each pay period for every current employee’s health insurance costs.</p>
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<p>– $325,000 for police car camera/video systems and $91,000 for police body cameras.</p>
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<p>In addition, this disbursement will fund $165,000 for a bucket truck for the Public Works Department; $76,985 for cybersecurity IT enhancements; $40,425 firefighter/EMT training; $120,000 for cardiac monitors for fire trucks; and $185,000 contribution to USC Beaufort’s Center for the Arts.</p>
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<p>The $1.4 million represents the first disbursement in ARP funds. The City will receive a total of approximately $6.7 million. City Council expects to do a second and final reading on this at its March 8 meeting.</p>
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<p><strong>March LIBPA meeting set for Tuesday</strong></p>
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<p>The Lady’s Island Business Professional Association will meet at 8 a.m., Tuesday, March 8, at the Beaufort Realtors’ Association Headquarters at 22 Kemmerlin Lane, Lady’s Island. Beaufort County School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Rodriquez will be the featured speaker. Please stop by for coffee and conversation concerning our community.</p>
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<p><strong>City of Beaufort burn permit cycle begins March 6</strong></p>
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<p>On Sunday, March 6, the burn permit cycle will begin. Residents will be permitted to burn during the weeks of March 6-12, April 3-9, Nov. 6-12, and Dec. 4-10. Burning is limited to between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. When granted by the City of Beaufort Fire Department, the permit is only for burning yard debris, leaves, tree branches, and yard trimmings originating on the premise of the issued burn permit.</p>
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<p><strong>EPA, DHEC honor Queen Quet</strong></p>
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<p>United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region Director Daniel Blackman joined South Carolina Department of Environmental Health and Control (DHEC) Director Myra Reece on Wednesday, Feb. 23 on St. Helena Island to present Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Natio, with the Community Star Award.</p>
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<p>DHEC’s Community Star Award recognizes a business, community organization, collaborative partnership, or individual that goes above and beyond environmental requirements in order to build better community relationships, promote environmental sustainability and resiliency, and/or improve quality of life for communities.</p>
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