Beaufort mayor had ‘heartburn’ over city giving funds to this organization. Here’s why
The Beaufort City Council has awarded $183,135 in state tax grants to seven nonprofit local organizations, a month after tabling the requests because giving funds to one of the groups gave the mayor “a little heartburn.”
The grants are generated by the State Accommodations Tax (ATAX) revenue, a 2% tax on overnight accommodations. Local revenues from the so-called “bed-tax” are designated to fund programs that promote tourism and attract visitors.
In awarding the funds, council members accepted the recommendations of the Tourism Development Advisory Committee (TDAC), which considers applications annually.
Grants went to:
- Greater Beaufort/Port Royal Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for a sales plan: $20,000
- Greater Beaufort/Port Royal CVB for destination marketing: $130,000
- Port Royal Sound Foundation for outdoor exhibits for the Maritime Center: $3,750
- SC Lowcountry & Resort Islands Tourism Commission for promotion of City of Beaufort and Lowcountry: $15,000
- Beaufort Sports Council for sports sales initiative: $12,731
- Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail for visitor rack cards: $654
- Historic Beaufort Foundation for Verdier House online marketing: $1,000
The Historic Beaufort Foundation has appealed to Beaufort County Circuit Court the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals’ Aug. 9 approval of a special exception for a three-story downtown apartment project.
On July 9, the foundation also filed a petition in Circuit Court appealing the June 9 decision by the Historic Review Board to allow construction of a large parking garage and a four-story hotel in Beaufort’s National Historic Landmark District.
The developer of both of those projects is 303 Associates and the Beaufort Inn. The projects have set off a debate on the size and style of development in the city’s historic downtown.
The ATAX awards first came before the City Council Sept. 14. But council members tabled the requests after Mayor Stephen Murray noted that the city was accruing significant legal fees as a result of Historic Beaufort Foundation’s legal appeals.
“I also have a little heartburn about giving them $1,000 tonight,” Murray said at the time.
But on Tuesday, Murray said, “We’re going to take the high road tonight and leave the $1,000 in there.”
Murray was joined by council members Mike McFee, Mitch Mitchell and Neil Lipsitz in approving the grants. Phil Cromer was absent due to illness.
According to the city, it has paid $17,482 in legal fees to date on the litigation involving the downtown development projects. Besides the appeals by the Historic Beaufort Foundation, West Street Farms LLC and Mix Farms LLC have also taken 303 Associates LLC and Beaufort Inn LLC to court over the downtown hotel, parking and apartment projects.
TDAC members meet once a year to review, discuss and score applicant presentations for the grants. Debate can be heated, said Vimal Desai, TDAC chairman.
“We are all very passionate,” Desai said.
Desai said $235,732 was requested by eight organizations, but $183,135 in grants was awarded to seven. The Parris Island Heritage Foundation did not receive funding because it did not provide enough information about its project, Desai said.
