Hilton Head unveils its town budget with $10M increase. How is your money being used?
Hilton Head presented the town budget for the next fiscal year Tuesday evening, revealing plans to establish a dedicated town housing fund and setting aside money for the new Gullah Geechee Community Development Corp.
The proposed budget, roughly $129 million, is around $10.5 million greater than last year’s accepted budget.
The extra revenue primarily would come from the town’s increased income from the local accommodations tax, business licenses and permitting fees, some of which is attributed to the town’s new requirements for short-term rental owners, which went into effect Jan. 1.
The town’s projected new funds for FY 2024 include:
- $5.34 million dedicated to the Gullah Geechee Community Development Corporation. The nonprofit is fully funded through grants, with $5 million provided from state government and $343,000 from the county. It will prioritize business attraction, affordable housing, infrastructure and other quality of life improvements in the island’s historic Gullah neighborhoods.
- $3.35 million to establish a town housing fund. This money will be used to facilitate town housing efforts outlined in its workforce housing plan, like the Northpointe public-private partnership and future plans for the 7.19-acre parcel on Bryant Road. Town Manager Marc Orlando said he expects the Northpointe contractor to be selected by “very early June.”
Orlando emphasized the town’s property tax millage rate has not increased from last year, remaining at 23.10 for now. Since county tax assessment is ongoing, the rate is “expected to be lowered,” the budget presentation reads.
A mill is equal to $1 in taxes per $1,000 of property value, with property taxes calculated by multiplying the assessed property value by the mill rate and dividing that number by 1,000.
The budget also accounts for hiring several new town positions, including two new firefighters, one EMS position, a town marketing and engagement director, a beach facilities inspector and others.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Tamara Becker said throughout the process leading to the budget’s first reading, she was worried about the number of proposed new hires.
“In our earlier meetings, I was concerned with the number of new hires and the expansion of government,” Becker said. “It is not in line with the way I see government running. I think (the first reading) did sharpen the pencil a little bit, but for me, not enough, and so I’d like to see more work done there.”
Becker was the lone no vote on the proposed budget, but said she hopes “to get to a yes” after further discussions.
The town will hold two budget workshops at town hall before the final reading. The first will take place May 9 at 1 p.m., and the second on May 11 at 1 p.m. The final hearing and vote for approval will be June 6 at 3 p.m.
This story was originally published May 3, 2023 at 2:44 PM.
