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As mayor of Bluffton, my hope is that more residents become emotionally invested and physically active in what happens here. The more people voicing their opinions about issues affecting this town can only help the us make decisions for the collective good.
I believe the first step in recruiting more active residents is helping them to understand how Bluffton works and how decisions are made.
Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Question: My address is Bluffton. Do I live within the town limits?
Answer: This is, by far, the most popular question. A Bluffton mailing address doesn’t mean you live in the incorporated town limits. Most of the area south of U.S. 278 is in the town limits. The confusing part is that there are “doughnut holes” in our annexations. A doughnut hole is an area that is not in the town, but is surrounded by town property.
For instance, on Buckwalter Parkway, the following neighborhoods are not in the town limits: Woodbridge, Sandy Point, Edgefeld, The Willows, Arborwood and Barton’s Run. On U.S. 278, Rose Hill, Island West and Sun City are not in the town limits. On Burnt Church Road, Stroup Lane and some parcels adjacent to it are in the town.
If you want to know if a specifc neighborhood or area is in the town, please call the Planning and Community Development Department at 843-706-4510.
Q: When will the S.C. 46 roundabout be repaired?
A: The Blufton Parkway and S.C. 46 are the county’s and the state’s responsibility. The town does not have jurisdiction over those roads. The repairs and widening of the roundabout are on the “to-do” list of the 1-cent sales tax referendum, voted on in 2006.
Bluffton owns two roads: Calhoun and Lawrence streets. The other roads/highways are the responsibility of the county or the state. Beaufort County’s transportation department can be reached at 843-470-2800.
Q: What is Bluffton’s form of government?
A: Bluffton works under a manager/council form of government. It has four council members and one mayor, who serve staggered four-year terms. All positions are at-large.
Staggered terms are designed so the council does not lose momentum as council members are voted in and out of office. With each council member “at-large,” every council member represents all the residents at the same time; no one represents specific areas or neighborhoods.
The mayor and town council are similar to a board of directors of a nonprofit organization. We make the decisions that guide how the town works. The town manager is similar to an executive director; he or she manages the daily operations under the decisions of the council. The town manager reports to the Town Council and is evaluated on how council decisions are carried out.
To reach a council member or me, visit townofbluffton.com; call 843-706-4500; or e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Your voice is important. Come to Bluffton for a day, a decade or a lifetime — we have a lot to ofer.
