Council sets aside A‑tax funds for Beaufort Marine Search and Rescue pending intergovernmental agreement

The council agreed at a May 28 budget workshop to set aside local accommodations (A‑tax) funds for Beaufort Marine Search and Rescue while staff and council members consider creating a formal partnership or intergovernmental agreement and require reporting before any funds are released.

Presenter Stephen said the A‑tax committee had recommended at its last review not to fund the group's request. "They'll come back in front of y'all at the June meeting, but the A‑tax committee recommended last time not to fund the same this time," Stephen said. He added that funds have been set aside but that "before any of those funds will be released, we would bring something back to council for discussion... and make sure the council is good with all of that before it be approved and before any funding would be given."

A council member asked staff (addressing Matt) what services the group provides and how it has been funded. Matt described the organization as the resource the county calls for water rescues: "that's who the county calls in to come in and do like the rescues for boats that get... stuck on the sand," he said. Matt said the group is Coast Guard‑qualified, stores a vessel at the fire department on Burn Church, and has received funding from the City of Beaufort, the county and grants. He said the group's application requested "half of a boat" (they had earlier sought funding for two boats and asked neighboring jurisdictions to share costs).

Because the A‑tax committee had previously recommended not to fund the request, and because staff want a clear reporting and partnership structure, council members agreed to hold the set‑aside in reserve until staff can return with a proposed agreement and clear deliverables.

Next steps
Staff will provide the organization's A‑tax application and the committee's review materials to the council before the June meeting; the request will be back before council at the June meeting for further discussion and possible action.