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Committee recommends no town funding for 14th Circuit Solicitor's grant request
Summary
The Hilton Head Island finance committee recommended no affiliated-agency funding this year for the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s two grant requests — a total $168,500 ask — citing concerns about municipal authority and outdated financials.
The Hilton Head Island finance committee voted to recommend no town funding for the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s affiliated-agency requests, which total $168,500 and are split between $118,500 for a career criminal unit and $50,000 for a multidisciplinary court. Staff noted the office reported its most recent audited financial statement from 2020 and that personnel costs dominate the solicitor’s budget; the application listed approximately $785,000 for salaries and benefits.
Committee members repeatedly questioned whether prosecutorial services fall within municipal responsibilities. As one councilmember summarized the committee’s view, “What I'm understanding from the comments from the committee and other council members is the recommendation here would be 0 to add funding for this fiscal year for this organization.” The committee also noted there was no memorandum of understanding in place with the solicitors' office and asked staff to follow up on any outstanding questions for full council.
