Hilton Head Island-Town Government

Town Government

The form of government used on Hilton Head Island is a council-manager, with six council members elected from their respective wards and the mayor elected at-large. Everyone, council members and the mayor, serve two year terms. Beaufort County, the county Hilton Head Island is located in, also employs a governing County Council, elected to serve two-year terms.

Elected Officials

There are six council members elected from the six wards in a non-partisan election to serve a two-year term. The Town Council is the legislative branch of the local government. It is responsible for making policy, enacting ordinances, adopting the annual town budget, and planning programs. The mayor is elected at-large, in a non-partisan election and serves a two-year term. The mayor is the presiding officer of the council and has an equal vote on the council. Town Council meets the first and third Monday of the month.

Appointed Staff

Town Manger: The town manager is appointed by the council and serves at its pleasure. The manager is required to be professionally trained in public administration and to have practical experience in municipal government. The manager's responsibility is the day-to-day operation of the town including the appointment and supervision of the staff, the preparation of the town budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, executing the policies established by the town council and overseeing the enforcement of all town ordinances.

Staff Attorney: The staff attorney is hired by the town manager and is salaried by the town. The staff attorney does no outside legal work but deals primarily with internal matters. The main responsibility of this office is to serve in an advisory capacity to the manager and staff as well as boards and commissions, and thereby resolve problems in order to avoid litigation against the town. The person holding this office works closely with the town attorney.

Town Attorney: The town attorney is a statutory officer whose duties are defined in the state and town codes. The person in this office is a private practitioner appointed by the Town Council and is paid an hourly fee for projects in litigation. This attorney handles all litigation brought against the Town of Hilton Head Island.

Director of Community Development: The director of community development is appointed by the town manager. The director is responsible for the administration of the Department of Community Development with divisions of planning , building inspections and engineering.

Director of Finance: The director of finance is appointed by the town manager and manages the overall financial operations of the local government.

Town Clerk: The town clerk is appointed by the town manager and serves as chief custodian of all town records.

Who are Hilton Head Island Residents?

Those that have decided to make Hilton Head Island their home come from all across the country and all parts of the world. People choose to live here for a number of reasons; warm, tropical year round climate, world class beaches, renowned golf courses, top rated tennis facilities, shopping & dining, the list goes on and on. Hilton Head Island is home to over 33,000 full-time residents and has grown enough to support all the services associated with a small city; i.e. exceptional schools (public and private), a full sized hospital and medical center, town government, a wide array of financial institutions and churches as well as art centers, shopping centers and all types of businesses. With an average age in the mid-40's, the typical Hilton Head Island resident is just as likely to be a career and family-oriented professional as an empty nester. Early retirees account for just over 25% of the population. Young professionals have found the area to be unmatched as a town in which to work and raise a family. With access to nature, wildlife, sports and all types of schools, children thrive on Hilton Head Island.

Hilton Head Island serves two purposes. One is a residential community and the other is a vacation destination. Hilton Head Island plays host to over 2 million visitors a year with almost 60,000 people inhabiting the island at any one time during the season. With all these people in one area you would think there would be animosity. Quite the contrary, visitors and 'locals' co-exist very well and the areas reputation for tasteful tranquility precedes itself. The commercial hubbub does not disrupt the island community. What unifies Islander's and visitors alike is an abiding love and respect for the nature that surrounds us and a desire to preserve the areas special way of life.

There are always pluses and minuses when making a move. When moving to Hilton Head Island the pluses far outweigh the minuses. Moving to this area means fresh air, tree lined roads, warm subtropical climate, world class amenities, top rated beaches and more. A move to Hilton Head Island is, without a doubt, a move in the right direction. You will soon discover it is more than a place to visit; it's an amazing place to live.