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Council sets aside ATAX funds for Buford Marine Search and Rescue pending agreement; LRTA unable to serve July 4th events
Summary
Council staff told the May 28 workshop that funds have been set aside to explore a partnership with Buford Marine Search and Rescue and that any release would require future council approval; staff also said LRTA cannot provide shuttle service for the Fourth of July event nights and the town will contract a trolley vendor.
At a May 28 budget workshop, Town of Bluffton staff told council members they have set aside local accommodations tax funds as requested by Mayor Toomer to explore a potential intergovernmental partnership and reporting arrangement with Buford Marine Search and Rescue, but emphasized no funds will be disbursed without a future council action.
Seth said the organization has applied for ATAX funds multiple times and that the tax committee previously recommended not to fund the request. “We’ve been able — we’ve set those funds aside,” he said, adding: “But before any of those funds would be released, we would bring something back to council for discussion to look at whether it be a partnership, whatever the IGA looked like, reporting, and make sure the council is good with all of that before it'd be approved and before any funding would be given.”
Operational role and funding history Council members sought clarity on the Search and Rescue group’s role versus law enforcement coastal response teams. Seth said the organization responds to marine rescues—helping recover or assist boats stranded on sand or otherwise in distress—and that the sheriff’s office or county will lean on them for certain rescues. Council members and staff said the organization has received some funding from the City of Beaufort, some county support, grants and volunteer resources in the past. One participant said the current request seeks town support for half of the cost of a boat.
Event transit On event transit, staff told council that LRTA (the regional transit provider) was unable to provide service for one night of the town’s Fourth of July festival; staff said the town will instead contract a trolley company to provide transportation for festival events.
What council decided Council did not award ATAX funds at the workshop but asked staff to hold the funds in reserve while staff work on the structure of any partnership and reporting obligations. Any release of funds will return to council for formal approval.
Provenance: Discussion of ATAX and event transit began during the carryover item review and concluded with staff confirming funds are only set aside pending an IGA or other council action.
