Finance committee hears FY2027 funding requests, delays decision on oyster‑restoration funding

The Town of Hilton Head Island's Finance & Administrative Committee on March 9 took up FY2027 funding requests from affiliated agencies and directed staff to forward most requests for council consideration while pausing a decision on an oyster‑restoration application pending more program‑level financial detail.

The committee heard presentations from several nonprofits and quasi‑public partners. Finance Director Dave Bird opened the agenda item, saying the committee would take formal action after receiving information and committee feedback. "We did go through and we had meetings with every committee over the last few weeks," he said, introducing the agencies.

Leah Arnold, representing the Hilton Head Island Recreation Association, described 2025 program outcomes and a proposed FY2027 operational request. "With the funds that you presented to us in the past 2025, we were able to produce over 124 different programs and events" and she said the group recorded more than 600,000 participant visits and roughly $240,000 in children's scholarships. Arnold told the committee that rising insurance and staffing costs — not fee increases for participants — account for a portion of the additional funding sought.

Rex of the Coastal Discovery Museum asked for $150,000 to support free public access, school programming and items not covered by earned revenue. He told the committee the museum operates an approximately $2 million annual budget and relies on town support to keep admission and grounds free.

Mitchellville Preservation Project's Ahmad detailed multiple capital projects at Historic Mitchellville Freedom Park, including an archaeological processing facility expected to open in the fall and improvements to public trails and interpretive elements.

Sea Turtle Patrol's Amber described nest monitoring, DNA partnerships with colleges, and a transition from a tent to a temporary rental facility; the organization requested $94,415 largely to cover rent and a part‑time salary while it stabilizes operations.

Committee members generally praised the programs and their community benefits, and several speakers stressed alignment with the town's strategic plan priorities (recreation, education, environmental resilience). After discussion, the committee voted to advance the FY2027 requests for the agencies that presented except for the Outside Foundation application, directing staff to capture clarified amounts (for example, Palmetto Breeze's updated local ask) and to return with a recommendation at a subsequent meeting.

Why the oyster program was held for further review

The committee deferred a funding decision on the Outside Foundation's oyster shell recycling and reef restoration program after members raised governance and financial questions. Jean Fu of the Outside Foundation said the program has "diverted 200 tons of shell from the landfill" and helped build about 35 reef projects over eight years, asserting benefits for shoreline resilience, habitat and storm‑water mitigation.

Committee members welcomed the environmental aims but asked for more granular, program‑level finances and clarification on whether the foundation meets the town's affiliated‑agency criteria. Members also noted that the organization reported operating losses in recent years and that prior state earmark support had ended; staff asked the presenter to supply the oyster program's line‑item budget (the presenter said the oyster program costs about $105,000 overall) and details on available grants and earned revenue.

What happens next

The committee's recommendation to include the other agencies' FY2027 requests will be forwarded to council as part of the budget process. The Outside Foundation will return with more detailed program budgets and clarifications on how the oyster shell program aligns to the town's affiliated‑agency requirements. The committee also asked staff to confirm final request figures for Palmetto Breeze and other applicants before the next meeting.