BEAUFORT, S.C. — Beaufort County Council remains divided over when the public may see a 15-page inquiry into county administration, after a late push to release the Quick Group findings failed on a 6-5 vote at the Oct. 12 meeting.
Council member David Bartholomew called for immediate release near the end of the roughly two-hour session. Members who backed disclosure argued taxpayers deserve to see work that has already cost nearly $25,000 in related legal bills through early August. Chair Alice Howard said County Administrator Michael Moore has held the findings since Oct. 6 and should answer the recommendations before a public dump.
The same meeting opened with a fight over whether to amend the agenda to discuss timelines for the report and a proposal to have the county attorney report to council rather than the administrator. Seven members favored those additions, but the chair ruled a higher threshold applied and the amended agenda failed; the original agenda then passed so business could continue.
Council hired the Charleston-based Quick Group in June to examine departments under the administrator’s control. The firm’s exact scope has stayed mostly opaque. A prior outside review after former administrator Eric Greenway’s exit produced findings that took years to surface.
Howard initially pointed toward the Oct. 26 regular meeting for next steps. Bartholomew and allies say further delay only keeps residents in the dark about an inquiry they are already funding.
