[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6127721,"mediaKeyId","2661711-673bb9cf2bab9a7ce11b2331d9cfe66c","parentId",2661711,"title","Committee amends agenda, forwards multiple reappointments to full council","audioSeconds",4869,"startMs",812000,"endMs",5681000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2661711-673bb9cf2bab9a7ce11b2331d9cfe66c&start=812&end=5681","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2661711-673bb9cf2bab9a7ce11b2331d9cfe66c/thumbnail_812000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127721/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Committee-amends-agenda-forwards-multiple-reappointments-to-full-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127721-2db4a35cb7c0551ea03a139832d6626e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190049&Signature=Ymk~MTtjdspELr5-fsEFS7nZoMDQe96PzI290Cf1cFT~Sz7GE0s5xZwQTRDvF7xGxKvYjTb1NQvoOmB8--ReJzH4YCUW~nsTkUfvvDb2cVosk1k2K~XlOWU-V3x~mdppZy8OugZMWlkSjAMNeCYVxsSnYBmAApzne1sb~ttNRMIhQ9nGEBpO4tJ3N9BBFKTsd0UJn89j3KSpXwAyLDyRv9B2xFlX7QI4CXcKxASSFaz8G-b34neT11EcV8QMDmv0Rk1NPqDTgVAc1EP9j8m0H4QoSYkQcXZ5xq-bEEu~sTIqdaFm~~L9RbpCGW4pr-U4YEX1nEcHkZhs3JGZgj3PVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","BCTV","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Community Services Committee amended its agenda and forwarded several board reappointments to the full county council during the March 3 meeting.

Early in the meeting Councilmember Tab moved to remove item 9 — the reappointments of Dana Marsh and Paul Hamilton to the Bluffton Township Fire District Board for a four-year term (expiration Feb. 2029). Councilmember Alice seconded the motion. The committee chair asked if there was any objection; none were raised and the item was removed from the agenda.

Later the committee considered multiple reappointments and appointments and took voice action to forward the nominees to full council for final action. Items forwarded to council included:
- Reappointments of Herbert Burns Jr., Madison Chisholm, Gary Bright and Thomas Peoples to the Burton Fire District Commission (four-year terms, exp. Feb. 2029).
- Reappointments of George Rafferty and Jeffrey Brunning to the Daufuskie Island Fire District Board (four-year terms, exp. Feb. 2029).
- Reappointment of Tracy Robinson to the Library Board (four-year term, exp. Feb. 2029).
- Reappointment of Alan Arzno to the Parks and Recreation Board (four-year term, exp. Feb. 2029).
- Reappointment of Sherry Phillips and appointment of Abraham Kelly to the Sheldon Fire District Board (four-year terms, exp. Feb. 2029).

For each reappointment the committee recorded a motion, a second, brief discussion if any, and then advanced the item to council \"for full consideration;\" the actions were advanced by voice with no recorded roll-call tallies in the committee minutes. Committee members asked for any district-specific comments before forwarding items; where no objections were raised the items were forwarded.

These items will appear on an upcoming full council agenda for final approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Beaufort County Community Services Committee 2PM March 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Community Services Committee approved removing one agenda item and moved several board reappointments forward to the full council for final consideration.","taxTitle","Beaufort County, South Carolina","taxId",5067,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6127727,"Beaufort County EMS seeks move to 24/72 schedule; committee asked to support budget inclusion",3280,2233000,5513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2661711-673bb9cf2bab9a7ce11b2331d9cfe66c&start=2233&end=5513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2661711-673bb9cf2bab9a7ce11b2331d9cfe66c/thumbnail_2233000.jpg","/articles/6127727/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Beaufort-County-EMS-seeks-move-to-2472-schedule-committee-asked-to-support-budget-inclusion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127727-b9fde478ac8e02160c283b9227db4def/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190049&Signature=oPT-ARvqnjBnjfnA82wnU7uIShTsocdU0zrjrLdaZw~qchll7YKUdbFqYz3Oeqg-yUK3BsGieK8hk4iZA-ZMtnMfiSWYr57gIkqjg2WSPFrnPFCj--5NGoJJYlS7droB46E5gQoJba54BUCxkGNJ73Ui9bvlHXo-0U1~qkhxLUcdkLbNXkB8IwA0FwWw4Udcy~kT0nbBejUQ1SFh62Fr8nmFDGahSayYxUhbRF0aiYDDOZ4mpk18SSCzYsL1-sCVEbBqDNSWNuJCqEiP3wYbVqMZjNB~8IJjarIHoSe3txSK4Sp4i0zwqXvn~qc3Umd1Fl1fsYKV94YDuooqdzW-eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beaufort County EMS leaders told the Community Services Committee on March 3 that physical exhaustion, mandatory overtime and increased call volume have made it difficult to sustain the current 24/48 schedule and urged a transition to a 24/72 schedule.

Donna (EMS director) said the system’s workforce is showing signs of strain: \"Exhausted and physically, mentally exhausted employees,\" she said, and described situations in which crews worked 48 hours on and 24 hours off and, in some instances, ran more than a dozen calls in 24 hours. Donna said EMS responded to about 14,200 calls in 2015 and 21,510 calls in 2024 — a 51% increase — without adding trucks or staff.

CFO Pinky and county finance staff outlined a plan to reclassify existing vacancies and request eight funded positions (three leadership positions and five full-time shift responders) in the FY 2026 budget. Finance staff estimated the FY 2026 cost for the eight positions — including salary, a 3% cost-of-living assumption and fringe at about 27% — at roughly $700,000–$725,000. Staff said current overtime totals about $3.3 million annually; unscheduled overtime comprises about 55% (approximately $1.76 million) of that amount. The county expects overtime costs to decline as shifts are staffed under a four-shift model.

Karen Morris, EMS training officer, and other EMS staff said the 24/72 model (often described as the industry “gold standard”) has helped other jurisdictions recruit and retain personnel. Karen described regional examples — including several North Carolina counties and Aiken County, S.C. — that moved to 24/72 and reported expanded applicant pools and improved staffing.

Committee discussion focused on budget timing, pay and implementation. Council members asked how the annual-salary model for shift workers would be preserved (staff said annual salary would be maintained and the hourly rate would be recalculated to reflect fewer paid hours worked); how quickly hiring could begin (staff said a resolution and budget commitment would allow advertising immediately and that implementation could aim for late summer with phased training); and how many total shift employees are needed at full staffing (staff said shift responders would grow from roughly 94 to 108 under the new model).

Several committee members signaled support for both including the positions in the FY 2026 budget process and forwarding a draft resolution so staff can begin recruitment; no formal committee vote was taken. County staff requested direction to the administrator to return with a resolution for committee review and to include the funding in the FY 2026 budget, and staff said they would provide detailed run-data per unit and peer salary comparisons on request.

No binding action was taken at the committee; several members asked staff to run parallel tracks (budget inclusion and a committee resolution) so hiring can begin promptly if council provides final approval.","EMS leadership told the committee that staff exhaustion and rising call volumes justify changing from the 24/48 schedule to a 24/72 schedule; staff requested that administration include eight funded positions in the FY 2026 budget and return with a resolution so hiring can begin.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6127733,"Daufuskie Island ferry update: engine issue, accessibility improvements and Melrose Dock condemnation continue",283,1918000,2201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2661711-673bb9cf2bab9a7ce11b2331d9cfe66c&start=1918&end=2201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2661711-673bb9cf2bab9a7ce11b2331d9cfe66c/thumbnail_1918000.jpg","/articles/6127733/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Daufuskie-Island-ferry-update-engine-issue-accessibility-improvements-and-Melrose-Dock-condemnation-continue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127733-d884df55aaab96405854a0b87946e612/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190049&Signature=aUa4WCTicUOAoJCK070gr3isxa8Wiq6mP4Cxxwjh~33z2ojOUCcvTtOUg-Pvbbn6NudLaMmD~9bXfKkLTyJDEjiMP35cQ4ghT-zPqKlw54JuF8e-qtIHibzEHcTH9MUP3u13tdu4pdWox7vt2JJXdrKH8rg0FBx3ZiHf8EDaEEAKCo06TKxKnc0xyFoUoXgJK1yRzPrmQDdQYBMF~J7mbIaWThln2-9xMPuiqF2-8ahbDMikK6kzwJocXVdnv60uz5XjuRx8rmf3sjlIizZKeAq~zBXKMtClNz2LQcOnvG40qoUaEYH0jiSrk0QRDpzVhIG41ut5LC2Gq9c6IPATmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hank (county staff) gave the committee an operational update on the Daufuskie Island ferry service, recounting an engine problem on the Manatee II and outlining work on passenger-accessibility and docking issues.

Staff said that on Tuesday, Feb. 25 the 7 a.m. run of the Manatee II experienced an overheated starboard engine; the captain docked at the nearest dock on Daufuskie Island, passengers disembarked, and a backup vessel transported passengers to their destination that morning. Because sourcing a backup vessel and swapping boats can take more than an hour, the 8:30 a.m. run did not occur; service resumed at 10:00 a.m. using the provider’s backup vessel, the Sole.

Hank said the Queen Jean had been out of the water for planned improvements and returned to service Feb. 26 after the Coast Guard completed an inspection. He also said the Queen Jean is scheduled for its annual Coast Guard inspection this month and the Manatee II’s annual inspection is scheduled for May.

Staff announced accessibility improvements for handicapped parking at Pinkney Island and noted prior work on riprap and drainage. They described a recurring but rare problem when extremely low tides can leave the floating dock on Pinkney Island sitting on mud; staff have engaged Public Works and a dock contractor to study options. The county also said it has forwarded complaints about Melrose Dock to the owner and that the condemnation process for the facility is ongoing.

Hank said county staff has begun regular discussions with the Daufuskie Island Council; he named Don Hunter as the council’s new head and said the county will continue coordination.

The update was informational; committee members asked about cargo fees and docking fees, and staff said there have been no recent changes to cargo fees.","County staff reported a Feb. 25 engine overheating incident on the Manatee II, Queen Jean’s Coast Guard inspection and return to service, planned accessibility improvements at Pinkney Island, and ongoing condemnation process for Melrose Dock.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6127737,"Beaufort County makes Fleet Services a standalone department; names Todd Davis director",335,1380000,1715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2661711-673bb9cf2bab9a7ce11b2331d9cfe66c&start=1380&end=1715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2661711-673bb9cf2bab9a7ce11b2331d9cfe66c/thumbnail_1380000.jpg","/articles/6127737/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Beaufort-County-makes-Fleet-Services-a-standalone-department-names-Todd-Davis-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127737-268538a3b10fedae1006611ee2b3cdfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190049&Signature=dP7FpDXmisr6o7bGmj06SE04YPDmnKldq8UB82Kal-8I7FMyvSwt12uJk4CQaQ7L0GhT0sLE2vEbhsX7kbmkj4SNkvFICxRpUz-8dpBCnC~p7pv0gfxNhEQITHmN0DTJ9RdozOzNKYQoGe9Hgxq42Jab7Ky3wGTM4dmUcANT5M7~M8OnfriUYDtGJrr~45eKxKkaNGfp9i501ZF0sHHgRt76Ptpdp8R9t02xlW1~4kN9SojeXOY86ailzgNN-a30plLv03vzHDzrKIruDT5pIUNDVdzkVKD4s63Nbue0TzIL6HlXDyEKlVShq9MzPrZGGrnnsY42ndo8GInjDNB-3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff told the Community Services Committee that Fleet Services has been elevated to a standalone department and that Todd Davis, who has managed the fleet for three years, will serve as director.

An introductory speaker said the division — previously part of public works — now reports alongside EMS, the detention center, mosquito control and the animal shelter. The county said the Fleet Services group manages \"just over 1,100 assets,\" including gasoline and diesel vehicles, wheeled and tracked equipment, and electric motors, and currently employs a team of 14 people.

Davis described priorities for the year: standardizing the fleet, creating an equipment acquisition strategy, improving turnaround for upfitting emergency vehicles and exploring a South-of-the-Broad River maintenance capability. He said in-house upfitting could reduce waits that county staff estimated at six to eight months with some external vendors; in-house turnaround for device upfits was described as about a week to a week and a half.

County finance staff said the department is expected to transition to an internal service fund in FY 2026. That structure will allow Fleet Services to charge other local governments for maintenance and recoup equipment and training costs. The county suggested that providing maintenance to municipalities and municipal police departments could produce net revenue for the county and save local governments money compared with some private vendors.

Todd Davis invited council members and staff to inspect the county garage by scheduling a visit through senior leadership.

No committee action was requested; the item was presented for committee information.","County reorganized Fleet Services into a standalone department, named Todd Davis director, and announced goals to standardize vehicles, reduce fleet size and offer maintenance services to municipalities through an internal service fund.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6127741,"Beaufort County human services outlines outreach to unsheltered residents, plans resource event",443,931000,1374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2661711-673bb9cf2bab9a7ce11b2331d9cfe66c&start=931&end=1374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2661711-673bb9cf2bab9a7ce11b2331d9cfe66c/thumbnail_931000.jpg","/articles/6127741/Beaufort-County/South-Carolina/Beaufort-County-human-services-outlines-outreach-to-unsheltered-residents-plans-resource-event","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127741-2d96f4918d6f3d7032b2015e943334f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190049&Signature=MSF4fwhWiN9xPv5OZWn~VI6DSBfIEzJQ-pJd9Yksr1sT1-5Uig0WpoD42M~XbxvrUK679YFws3wVrDJRPcvAX1UIiPOtZFskasva1U8LttFTZhU4~n8zRHejI-1OPgoj0rzPH5aKwVzUfxKcMd3p1J7uABmmpI3fKGH7y48rLpyvh6q7NLT5njI9EkcGkDTr9Hn~ZutuFtfBJWnktwHamuT~yn~Tep11~6z4JTS3rw3hmL0YtYuGDZpmqxfxkQNXpshoPmMjvA~CjsL~ueDneaneSTybWJvhhll4wOe9rQfRnjyagHrHwgnHTpECzP2ITrac~Qlsr3oIpN3IO5YmJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Katrina Anchondo, Outreach Systems Coordinator for Beaufort County Human Services, told the Community Services Committee on March 3 that she has mapped reported sites of unsheltered residents, logged community contacts and coordinated outreach events with 180 Place and local law enforcement.

Anchondo said she joined county human services in May and has worked to identify “what are the people we’re trying to serve, what do they need, what are they saying they need,” compiling information from nonprofit, faith-based and government partners as well as businesses and social media reports. \"Anything that exists to help others is what I've been…trying to identify,\" she said.

The county’s outreach work has included short, joint outreach events with 180 Place — a Charleston-based nonprofit that serves unsheltered people in the region — and a warming-shelter network that opens during extreme cold. Anchondo said she also maintains a contact log of callers with needs and refers cases to specialized providers, such as Hopeful Horizons for domestic-violence cases, when appropriate.

Human Services staff and partners had planned a four-day resource event with about a dozen agencies to coincide with what staff intended as an unofficial annual point-in-time count after HUD changed the cadence of its federal point-in-time surveys; the winter storm that produced icy roads forced cancellation. \"We are continuing to look forward for a summer event,\" Anchondo said, adding staff will use the existing planning relationships to reschedule.

Committee members asked about local coordination — including contacts on Hilton Head Island — and about 180 Place’s scope; staff said 180 Place is the assigned regional agency based in Charleston. Anchorondo and other staff said they will help community groups planning smaller resource events with information on local agencies.

Committee chair and members thanked staff and encouraged follow-up on scheduling and inter-jurisdictional contacts for rescheduling the resource event.

The committee received the report as an informational update; no formal action was taken.","Human Services staff described outreach, a community contact log, warming-shelter coordination and plans to reschedule a multi-agency resource event canceled by winter weather.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee amends agenda, forwards multiple reappointments to full council

Beaufort County EMS seeks move to 24/72 schedule; committee asked to support budget inclusion

Daufuskie Island ferry update: engine issue, accessibility improvements and Melrose Dock condemnation continue

Beaufort County makes Fleet Services a standalone department; names Todd Davis director

Beaufort County human services outlines outreach to unsheltered residents, plans resource event