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.