Beaufort County members to package Hilton Head A‑tax proposals to address visitor waste

It doesn’t look like we have a quorum, the chair said, but the group used the session to plan how to ask Hilton Head Island to direct A‑tax funds toward waste‑management solutions.

The meeting produced a set of tasks and three broad proposal options that staff will compile for Megan to present to the town on the 17th. Megan, speaking from her car, outlined three questions staff should answer before that meeting: “Is this even a possibility? How much? And what are we going to use it for?” She asked colleagues to provide ballpark cost estimates and supporting data so she can enter the town meeting prepared.

Why it matters: speakers said visitor traffic drives marked summer increases in waste tonnage on the island and that the county’s landfill has a limited lifetime. Participants framed A‑tax funding as a way to ask tourism‑related revenue to cover the added waste burden without raising county taxes.

What the proposals would include: staff described three types of funding uses to take to Hilton Head — (1) financial support or partial funding for a Mid‑Island transfer station (operational and capital costs estimated in the millions, per staff), (2) targeted business‑license incentives and on‑site recycling containers to reduce disposal and increase diversion at visitor locations, and (3) a request that the town share or cover some tipping fees tied to waste generated by visitors. Mike confirmed the county has an existing plan and cost estimates for a transfer station: “We have a full plan,” he said, and will supply detailed construction and operating figures.

Data and evidence gathering: staff agreed to pull hauling and disposal cost data and seasonal tonnage spikes for Hilton Head, to pursue vehicle‑count information from the infrastructure and engineering department (tube counts for visitor entries exist), and to estimate potential revenue from hospitality business‑license categories that might be used to structure incentives.

Policy and procedural notes: participants emphasized that some incentives would require county and city council action and votes before implementation. They also noted that Hilton Head is an incorporated municipality with its own funding buckets, which will shape what the town can or will finance. Staff agreed to check application deadlines and confirm which A‑tax buckets apply; one participant clarified that the July 10% bucket reserved for nonprofits is not the correct bucket for this request.

Next steps: staff will compile a proposal packet that packages background data, ballpark costs, and suggested incentive designs for Megan to use at the town meeting. Mike and other staff will provide the transfer‑station cost analysis, hauling/tonnage data and sample business‑container quotes; Victoria will contact engineering for vehicle‑count information. The group agreed to schedule virtual follow‑ups and exchange contact details so Megan can review materials before her meeting.

The meeting did not reach quorum and no formal votes or minutes will be recorded; participants noted the session was broadcast and that a transcript would be posted on the Beaufort County website for absent members to review.