<b>Find the Beaufort County budget online</b>

The Beaufort County fiscal year 2014 budget is now available to be viewed online. County Council passed the budget Monday June 24, 2013. That budget went into effect this past Monday. To see the Beaufort County FY14 budget go to http://www.bcgov.net/departments/Finance/finance/Budget-2014.php.

<b>Series of vehicle break-ins investigated
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The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of vehicle break-ins that occurred overnight Saturday, July 6 in a Beaufort neighborhood.

More than a dozen vehicles were reportedly entered in the Shell Point area between late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. No sign of forced entry or damage was observed to any of the vehicles, and it is believed all were left unlocked by their owners. Among the items reported stolen were small electronics, cash, wallets, and a handgun.

At this time there is no information regarding any possible suspect(s). Residents are encouraged to secure their vehicles and remove any items of value before leaving them unattended. Any noted suspicious person(s) or activity should be reported immediately by contacting the Beaufort County Dispatch Center at 843-524-2777.

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<b>County implementing new building codes</b>

Any Beaufort County resident wanting to apply for a permit will have to pay attention to new Building Codes that went into effect July 1, 2013.

The implementation of the 2012 International Code Series with state modifications and the 2011 National Electric Code went into effect. Every county in South Carolina that does not legally “Opt out” of the Code Enforcement Program, must enforce the mandatory building codes referenced in Section 6-9-50 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976 as amended and adopted by the Building Codes Council. Counties are further restricted from promoting their own building codes, in whole or in part or adopting and enforcing building codes other than those adopted by the Building Codes Council.

“Local officials have no discretion or say in determining what building codes will be mandated by the State Building Codes Council. We as local Building Officials are directed under state law to enforce the statewide mandated codes as they are adopted and amended by the State.  We will continue to focus on providing exceptional customer service to those who require our services and will do everything we can to assist our customers in their transition to the newly updated codes”, said Director of Beaufort County Building Codes Chuck Atkinson.

A comprehensive list of code changes and S.C. state code amendments may be found at the Beaufort County Building Codes Department website: http://www.bcgov.net/departments/Public-Safety/building-codes/index.php.