Ward 3 Hilton Head candidates stand on opposite sides of penny sales tax

Seven candidates are looking to fill three seats on the Hilton Head town council for Wards 1, 3 and 6 this election cycle. The elected candidates’ term will begin in January 2025. Representatives from Wards 2, 4 and 5 will continue serving on the council until their term expires in December 2026.

Amy Fee and Steve DeSimone are running for the Ward 3 seat on the council, which represents the mid-island area, including south of Broad Creek to Coligny Beach.

The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette asked the Ward 3 candidates questions about top issues facing the town from the penny sales tax to the U.S. 278 Corridor Project. The paper asked the same seven questions of each candidate with a word count limit of 200 words for each response. The candidates were given the same timeline to complete responses to the questions. These responses are in the candidates’ own words.

Ward 1 and Ward 6 candidates have also answered the same questions.

Who is running for the Ward 3 seat?

Amy Fee

Amy Fee currently serves as a board member for the Forest Beach Owners Association and for the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals. She is a member of the Hilton Head Audubon Society and a steward of the Little Free Libraries. She volunteered with the Holy Family Church Food distribution program and served as a board member for Second Helping, a local food re-distribution organization. Before moving to Hilton Head, she served as a vice president and business development director at Morgan Stanley in New York. She also has 20 years of experience working in the hospitality industry.

Steve DeSimone

Steve DeSimone previously served on the Hilton Head Island town council from 1995 to 2002. He moved to Hilton Head in 1986 to work as an assistant engineer with the town government, which was newly-organized at the time. He currently serves on the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals and is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. He volunteered as a volleyball coach at Hilton Head Christian Academy for ten years.

Affordable housing

The question: Once in office, what specific steps would you try to persuade the council to take to address workforce and affordable housing issues?

Amy Fee

The Northpoint workforce housing neighborhood project is a step in the right direction. We have a role to play in developing solutions for workforce housing. We have tools to use, such as zoning, density, public/private partnerships and thoughtful planning. We have to be fiscally responsible, but we also have a commitment to the people who serve essential roles in our community. Our police, fire rescue workers, teachers and healthcare workers should be able to live among us as our neighbors. To address affordable housing, we need a comprehensive strategy that includes planning for infrastructure, diverse housing options, incentives for development and accessible transportation. Community input and support is crucial to find affordable solutions for our workforce.

Many communities in the United States, including Warren Ohio have effective models for affordable housing similar to Hopeworks Station in Everette, WA; Capital Vista in Washington, DC; and Lineage in Alexandria, VA.

To effectively serve our community housing needs, we need to identify and implement models that align with our island’s unique characteristics, resources, and financial constraints. This will enable us to present well-informed proposals to our constituents that we believe our council should endorse.

Steve DeSimone

To address workforce and affordable housing issues, I would advocate for the following steps:

• Maintain comprehensive data: Regularly update metrics on rental and ownership for both subsidized and non-subsidized housing to ensure our decisions are grounded in current data. It is my understanding that much of the town’s data may be pre-COVID. We must make sure our data is up to date.
• Geo-targeted incentives: Identify areas for redevelopment and offer incentives to encourage development where it is most needed.
• Public-private partnerships: Foster collaborations between the public sector and private developers to fund and construct affordable workforce housing.
• Streamline permitting: Simplify and expedite the permitting process to reduce costs and delays for housing projects.

By implementing these strategies, we can make significant strides in addressing our housing challenges effectively.

Island safety

The question: How would you characterize the safeness of the island?

Amy Fee

Overall, I think Sheriff Tanner has done a good job, as have our fire rescue, public safety department and compliance department. Hilton Head Island is generally a safe place to work, live and vacation.

Going forward, appropriately funding police and fire rescue services is essential for continued public safety. It is important to invest in initiatives that support community policing. This approach reduces crime and strengthens the relationship between law enforcement and the community they serve. Increasing communication and collaboration between police and community members can help improve public safety and reduce crime. Police need to take the time to get to know our citizens and business owners keeping the community involved. Community policing can strengthen relationships and increase justice for all of us.

Steve DeSimone

Our Emergency Preparedness and Management Program is robust, and the Fire Rescue Department provides exemplary service with low response times and operates at an extremely high level. Supporting these services remains a top priority.

Over the past months, I’ve discussed crime and safety with many residents and business owners. From these conversations, it’s clear that we need a critical evaluation of our public safety needs. This should include assessing the roles of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the Town Public Safety Department, which oversees safety in beaches, parks, and other facilities, to ensure we maintain a comprehensive and effective approach.

Penny sales tax

The question: Do you support or oppose the penny sales tax on the November ballot?

Amy Fee

Beaufort County is one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina. I agree with the goals of the penny tax to address county infrastructure and complete critical transport and mobility projects.

I support the 1% sales and use tax in Beaufort County. This vote does not increase our sales tax rate, it replaces an expiring tax. As you know, the 1% penny tax is paid not only by residents but also by visitors who utilize our infrastructure and help to pay for continued maintenance and improvements.

Roadway upgrades are needed to support Beaufort County’s growth and to improve safety and quality of life. $90M of the proposed infrastructure tax is allocated to the 278 Corridor Project and $30M to Hilton Head Island municipal projects. Beaufort County needs to offer budget and project transparency as well as ongoing project communication to ensure trust between all parties.

Steve DeSimone

The island’s aging critical infrastructure must be assessed and improved in the near future. I support investing in regional and local critical infrastructure and program priorities that are proposed to be improved with the Beaufort County penny sales tax, including stormwater, roadway, land acquisition, and other essential community services.

If passed, it would generate significant revenue to address the growing needs of Hilton Head Island without relying solely on property taxes. However, without a guarantee that Hilton Head Island’s percentage portion of the funds would be realized, I would not support it at this time. There must be complete transparency by County Council for such a guarantee prior to the start of early voting.

U.S. 278 Corridor Project

The question: Do you support or oppose the current version of the U.S. 278 Corridor Project? Do you agree with the portion of the plan that calls for improvements to the bridges?

Amy Fee

The Bridge Corridor process has not been ideal thus far, but a preliminary plan was required to keep $200 million in funding. I agree that the bridge and corridor should be three lanes in each direction. As we proceed, we must always put island residents first minimizing the impact on folks who live and work in the corridor.

We need increased transparency, community input, fiscal responsibility and consensus building. We should listen to the opinions of all residents and require that engineers and town leadership deliver the best possible solutions for island residents. Expansion brings greater access and increased services to residents and visitors, but we should not sacrifice our lifestyle or environment.

Steve DeSimone

This project must reflect Hilton Head Island’s unique aesthetic and community expectations, enhancing our sense of place. We must ensure that our opinions and direction continue to be heard by SCDOT and Beaufort County. Keeping this a very high priority will allow us to create a vibrant, well-balanced corridor that meets both transportation and community goals.

I support the overall goals of the U.S. 278 Corridor Project, including the essential bridge improvements. However, I do not support the current design and functionality as it stands. The project, as designed, from the bridge to the Cross Island Parkway does not adequately address the need to eliminate impacts on the Stoney neighborhood and property owners. The road remains too close to residents’ homes, and I believe that optimum traffic flow and functionality have not yet been achieved. It is crucial that we work to create a design that balances efficient transportation with the preservation of our residents’ quality of life.

Conflicts of interest

The question: Are there any conflicts of interest that would cause you to recuse yourself from any town council matters? If so, which matters?

Amy Fee

I have no conflicts of interest that would cause me to recuse from town council matters. I have no business interests that would deter me from being a full-time town council representative.

Steve DeSimone

I would like to affirm that I currently have no conflicts of interest that would affect my ability to perform my duties impartially and in the best interest of the Hilton Head Island community. I am committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency.

Should any potential conflict of interest arise in the future, I will promptly disclose it and adhere to the ethical standards and guidelines set forth by the state of South Carolina. This includes abiding by all relevant statutes, such as the South Carolina Ethics, Government Accountability, and Campaign Reform Act, ensuring that I take the appropriate steps to avoid any improper influence or the appearance of such. My priority is to serve the public responsibly, and I am committed to following all ethical procedures to maintain the trust placed in me.

Transparency

The question: If elected, will you make yourself available to answer questions and state and defend your individual position, or will you follow the philosophy that the council should always present a united front in public?

Amy Fee

Yes, when elected, I will be a full time representative for the community and will be available to answer questions regarding town business and my positions. I believe in inclusion, transparency and fiscal responsibility - and with increased communication and collaboration - we can make decisions in a forthright manner.

For me, transparency is about listening to my neighbors and building consensus, which helps me in service of their needs. I am there to collect ideas and information from my community and advocate for what is important to them.

Steve DeSimone

If elected, the approach to transparency and the communication of positions can vary depending on the situation. It is important to balance the responsibility of representing personal viewpoints while also fostering a sense of unity and collaboration within the town council.

I will make myself available and will be accessible to the public, both to hear concerns and to explain my individual positions on matters affecting HHI. I will state and defend my personal viewpoints, especially on key issues where constituents expect clarity.

Other priorities

The question: Are there other issues you consider top priorities that we haven’t asked about?

Amy Fee

I am running for Hilton Head Island town council because I am passionate about our community and what makes us special - our environment- our beaches, waterways and forests; our wide variety of arts and culture offerings; our living and historic Gullah Geechee neighborhoods. We must protect what makes us great and brings us together as one community.

Once lost, our natural resources aren’t easily replaced. Our outdoor recreation and natural beauty is why we live here and what brings visitors to our island. These natural, beautiful, environmental resources are part of what makes us great, and should be protected now for future generations.

Our arts and culture offerings enrich our lives. We are blessed with a rich variety of arts, culture and heritage. We have entertainment venues that provide access to beauty and perspective on the human experience. The Office of Cultural Affairs serves a role that is important to our quality of life and our economic strength. Historic Mitchelville and the Gullah Geechee community are a unique live and historic treasure. Mitchelville was the first freedman self-governed community, founded on ideals of liberty, opportunity, rights and equality. It’s a story and culture should be celebrated and told.

Steve DeSimone

My platform focuses on building a resilient, resident-centered community on Hilton Head Island. Key priorities include:

• Community resilience: Advocating for the sustainable redevelopment of blighted areas with an emphasis on environmental stewardship. This aims to enhance Hilton Head’s “brand perception” and create opportunities for new businesses.

• Beach protection: Strongly supporting the nourishment of the island’s beaches to preserve property values, protect ecosystems, and guard against storm surges.

• Infrastructure improvements: Enhancing commercial areas, roadways, parks and facilities to meet the needs of both residents and visitors, creating a safer and more attractive environment.

• Economic support: Diversifying the island’s economy beyond tourism and real estate to create year-round job opportunities, fostering economic stability.

• Transparent governance: Promoting openness and accountability in government decision-making processes to strengthen trust between the town and its residents.

• Public safety and inclusion: Prioritizing a safe, inclusive environment that encourages civic engagement and attracts businesses and future homeowners.

• Island workforce challenges: Address the challenges of housing affordability for local workers, including teachers, police officers, and hospitality workers, to sustain the island’s workforce.

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