<strong>Some Beaufort County buildings already re-opened</strong>

Beaufort County remains on schedule to resume regular services and reopen its buildings to the public on Monday, June 15. In the meantime, some buildings have reopened on a limited basis.

The County still strongly encourages residents to conduct County business online, through email, or over the phone when possible.

The Administration building, at 100 Ribaut Road in Beaufort, has tables set up in the hallways with drop boxes. Members of the public who require in-person assistance are encouraged to call ahead and make an appointment with the department they wish to visit.

Beaufort County Council and committee meetings will continue to be held virtually for the time-being.

In the interest of preventing any further spread of COVID-19, the County is operating according to public health guidelines put forth by DHEC and the CDC.

All County employees have been provided with hand sanitizer and are required to wear face-coverings in the workplace. Anyone visiting a County building is also required to wear a face-covering while in the building.

All buildings that have opened on a limited basis will close to the public at 4:30 p.m. each day for disinfecting.

<strong>Business license renewals, H-tax, A-tax due June 20</strong>

Business license renewals for 2020 for the City of Beaufort are due by June 20. Hospitality and accommodations taxes for February, March and April are also due by that date.

In March, to help local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, City Council voted to waive penalties and interest on late filings for 2020 business license renewals, normally due on April 15. They also agreed to waive penalties and interest on late filings of hospitality and accommodations taxes.

Business owners are encouraged to renew licenses via the self-service portal that can be accessed at https://beaufort.munisselfservice.com/citizens/default.aspx. Business owners can also renew business licenses by mailing renewal forms and payment to 1911 Boundary St., Beaufort, S.C. 29902.

If any assistance is needed to calculate license fees, please call 843-525-7025 or email buslicense@cityofbeaufort.org.

Business owners are encouraged to file accommodations and hospitality tax via the self-service portal referenced above or by mailing in forms and payment. If any assistance is needed, please call 843-525-7025.

Hospitality and accommodations taxes are normally paid on the 20th of the month following the reporting month.

<strong>Rotary Club of Beaufort helps area food banks</strong>

The Rotary Club of Beaufort, the oldest of Beaufort’s four Rotary clubs, recently ran a food drive for the local food pantries in Beaufort and the surrounding area. It ran for a week in early May.

Rotarians and other Beaufort residents donated $4,300 and approximately 20 bags of groceries.

The food and the monetary donation was then passed to Beaufort’s Salvation Army, HELP of Beaufort, Sisters of St. Francis and the Penn Center Food Bank.

Beaufort Rotarians thank all who contributed.