County acts on smoking, immigration

BLUFFTON — The Beaufort County Council took the first step at enacting three major policy measures Monday, including passing an ordinance that would penalize businesses for employing unauthorized aliens and a county smoking ban.

The County Council unanimously approved an illegal immigration relief ordinance, approved a smoking ban 9-1 and unanimously approved an ordinance that authorizes fee in lieu of taxes incentive agreements between prospective businesses and the county. The measures require two more County Council votes before being adopted.

Council members Mark Generales and Starletta Hairston urged the public to participate in the policy-making process behind the illegal immigration relief ordinance. He asked the business community in particular for feedback, because the measure penalizes businesses for employing unauthorized aliens through the county’s business licensing program.

“For God’s sake, don’t let us do this in a vacuum,” Generales said.

A draft of the ordinance is available online at the county’s Web site, bcgov.net.

Complete text linked below:

Source:
County acts on smoking, immigration
The Beaufort Gazette