Beaufort County caucus authorizes negotiations to explore acquisitions on Saint Helena, Ladies Island and Myrtle Park

Beaufort County's caucus on Jan. 12, 2026, authorized county staff to begin negotiations with property owners to explore possible acquisitions at three separate locations.

Committee member (S5) moved that the county administrator and county attorney be authorized to enter negotiations with owners of parcels near the Saint Helena Island Convenience Center (Highway 21 area) to explore acquisition opportunities in accordance with parameters discussed in the preceding executive session. The motion was seconded (Councilman Bartholomew is named as the seconder in the record) and recorded as passing unanimously by raised hands.

Committee member (S4) then moved that the county administrator and county attorney enter negotiations with owners of certain parcels on Ladies Island near the Royal Pond/Rural Pond subdivision for the purpose of exploring acquisitions to improve stormwater management; Councilman Glover is named in the record as the seconder. That motion also passed unanimously.

Finally, Committee member (S2) moved to authorize negotiations with property owners of parcels near Myrtle Park in Bluffton to explore acquisition opportunities; the motion was seconded by Councilman Bartholomew and passed by a unanimous show of hands.

All three authorizations were presented as consistent with terms and parameters discussed in executive session under South Carolina Code §30-4-70(a)(2). The caucus did not disclose specific negotiation terms or dollar amounts; the actions authorize staff to begin negotiations only and do not commit to purchases.

Authorities cited in the meeting included South Carolina Code §30-4-70(a)(2). Next steps noted in the caucus were that the county administrator and county attorney would pursue negotiations and report back to the council as appropriate.