Politics

While November still seems far away, election ling is underway for candidates seeking a seat at the table of Isle of Palms leadership that will be decided at the Nov. 4 municipal election. Up for re-election on the IOP City Council are Mayor Phillip Pounds, fist elected in 2022, and these four council seats: Jan Anderson, John Bogosian, Blair Hahn and Katie Miars. Don Smith and … [Read more...] about IOP election to fill a majority of council seats, including mayor

In an effort to further discourage area crime and criminal intent, the Isle of Palms recently became the 21st South Carolina municipality to enact hate crime legislation. The new measure took effect July 22 after the IOP City Council unanimously approved an ordinance pertaining to more than 10 kinds of crime based on personal bias that violate public peace. “We passed a … [Read more...] about IOP sets example as hate crime bill stalls at state level: SC not among 48 states with hate crime laws

Besides serving as head of municipal government in a variety of specific roles, one critical duty of a city mayor is to keep a balance in the community among business, growth, quality of life, public services and, in the case of Isle of Palms, tourism. On June 4 at the Charleston Gaillard Center, Explore Charleston recognized IOP Mayor Phillip Pounds’ attention to this … [Read more...] about Mayor Pounds honored for outstanding travel & tourism promotion

Following almost no public discussion and few concerns, IOP City Council approved the largest budget in Isle of Palms’ history for the 2025-26 fiscal year with no tax increase. The new budget will include $32.7 million for projected revenues and $30.1 million for projected expenses. The measure passed on first reading April 22, then on second reading May 22 by a vote of 8-1 … [Read more...] about Largest city budget approval on record includes no property tax increase: ‘The city’s finances are in good shape’

After serving nearly three decades as an Isle of Palms employee in various building, planning and zoning capacities, interim city administrator Douglas Kerr is now firmly in the position, following a contentious 6-3 vote during a special council meeting on Feb. 26. Kerr’s hiring came approximately two months after former city administrator Desiree Fragoso stepped down at the … [Read more...] about Kerr named next city administrator, internal hiring controversy explained

More government money for economic development, stormwater flooding control, waste-water improvements and many other items has led Isle of Palms city leaders to hire Thorn Run Partners (TRP) as its federal lobbying firm. TRP, founded in 2010 and located in Washington, D.C., was selected by a unanimous council vote on March 25, following a process that reduced the search to two … [Read more...] about City hires lobbying firm to fight for island issues at federal level

If you like working with revenue projections, financial state-ments, budgeting processes, costs for long-term projects and all the details that go with them, you could have an opportunity to become the financial analyst with the City of Isle of Palms. The new full-time position will not only solve a long-standing concern with administrative staff, but is intended to better … [Read more...] about City seeks first-ever financial analyst

If you had an eyeglass portal that could show you Isle of Palms from 1925-2000, you might see the same scenes with remarkable recurrence: white sandy beaches all around, periodic hurricanes, nesting turtles and wildlife, a steadily growing number of residents and visitors and practically no such thing as traffic jams. While much of the island’s beauty and landscape remains, … [Read more...] about Financial stability tops IOP City accomplishments from 2024

When Isle of Palms resident Jim Thompson recently went to vote in the 2024 election, he was met in line by the newly elected city council candidate Rusty Streetman who said, “Couldn’t happen to a better guy.” Thompson let the curious comment pass, but a few days later, he received an email from a woman with Friends of the Charleston National Parks, who also congratulated … [Read more...] about IOP’s Jim Thompson bestowed Order of the Palmetto

Isle of Palms has begun the search process after longtime city administrator Desiree Fragoso announced her departure from the position will be effective at the end of the year. Fragoso announced the news at a recent city council meeting. When Fragoso first set foot in Isle of Palms City Hall in September 2015, she was just another new employee who had landed the role of … [Read more...] about Fragoso to step down as IOP city administrator at year’s end