In one minute
City of Beaufort City Council regular meeting held May 12, 2026. Council (Mayor Philip Cromer; Councilmembers Neil Lipsitz, Michael McFee, Mitch Mitchell, Josh Scallate) heard presentations and public comment, approved routine consent items and minutes, adopted amendments to the Noise Ordinance (second reading), approved several ordinances on second reading, held a public hearing and first reading of the FY2027 consolidated budget (including multiple amendments), approved sale of city property (first reading) at 2153 Boundary Street, made Downtown Advisory Board appointments, and moved into executive session before adjourning.
Executive summary
Highlights: (1) Noise ordinance amendments were approved on second reading with several textual amendments adopted (see Old Business A). (2) Multiple budget-related ordinances passed (hospitality fee, bond/series amendment, and an amendment to the FY2025-2026 budget) — one FY2025-2026 ordinance (Old Business D) carried 4–1 with Councilman Scallate voting against. (3) The FY2027 consolidated budget was presented at public hearing; Council adopted amendments removing the proposed vehicle tag fee and reallocating $1,248,175 in TIF II expenditures to the Waterfront Park Redevelopment Project; those amendments and the main motion passed 4–1 with Councilman Lipsitz voting against. (4) Sale of city-owned property at 2153 Boundary Street approved on first reading. (5) Appointments to the Downtown Advisory Board were approved. The meeting included substantial public comment on the proposed vehicle tag fee and BCEDC funding. The Council entered executive session on legal and personnel matters and adjourned at 11:56 PM.
Why it matters
The council actions affect municipal noise regulations, the FY2027 budget (including removal of the proposed vehicle tag fee and reallocation of TIF II funds), planned capital projects (Waterfront Park), and a pending real-estate sale (2153 Boundary Street). Public comments show community concern about fees, transparency, and BCEDC funding.
Key decisions
Source/Context: Old Business A, pages 3–5 of minutes (sections describing amendments and votes).
Source/Context: Old Business D, page 4 (motion carried by a vote of 4 – 1; Councilman Scallate voted against).
Source/Context: New Business X.A, pages 5–6 (public hearing, motion text, amendment descriptions, and vote tallies).
Agenda items
Meeting called to order at 6:03 PM. Mayor and Council in attendance: Philip Cromer (Mayor), Neil Lipsitz, Michael McFee (Mayor Pro Tem), Mitch Mitchell, Josh Scallate.
Source/Context: Page 1, I. CALL TO ORDER; attendance list at top of minutes.
William Kinsey introduced members of the Battery Creek High School National History Day Team, noting their second-place state finish and qualification for Nationals in Washington, D.C.
Source/Context: Page 1, III. PRESENTATIONS.
Multiple members of the public spoke, including comments about the proposed vehicle tag fee, proposed BCEDC funding, transparency and FOIA procedures, Noise Ordinance, and Washington Street Park improvements. Written comments were attached for several speakers (Johnathan Brown, Paul Trask, Graham Trask).
Source/Context: Page 1 and continuing pages (IV. PUBLIC COMMENT).
Council approved multiple proclamations (Character Education for two students, Lupus Awareness Month, National Preservation Month, Teacher Appreciation Week, National Nurses Week, National Hospital Week, National Safe Boating Week). Each was moved and approved unanimously as recorded.
Source/Context: Page 2, VI. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS.
Motions
Source/Context: Page 1, V. MEETING AGENDA APPROVAL (motion made by Councilman Lipsitz, seconded by Councilman Mitchell; all were in favor).
Source/Context: Page 3, VII. CONSENT AGENDA (motion made by Councilman Lipsitz, seconded by Councilman Mitchell; all were in favor).
Source/Context: Pages 3–5, Old Business A (motions to amend subsections and main motion; all amendments and main motion passed).
Source/Context: Page 4, Old Business D (motion made by Mayor Pro Tem McFee and seconded by Councilman Mitchell; motion carried 4–1).
Source/Context: Pages 5–6, New Business X.A (motion made by Councilman Mitchell and seconded by Councilman Lipsitz; public hearing held).
Source/Context: Page 6, New Business X.A (successful amendment; passed 4–1).
Source/Context: Page 6, New Business X.A (successful amendment; passed 4–1).
Official sources
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