July 22, 2026 Meeting Minutes
The Board of Commissioners of the Beaufort Housing Authority convened a regular meeting on Wednesday. July 22, at the Beaufort Housing Authority Conference Room. The meeting was called to order by Chair Ethan M. James, and upon roll call those present and absent were as follows:
Commissioners Present:
- Chairman Ethan James
- Commissioner Linda Robinson
- Commissioner William Achurch, via Zoom
- Commissioner Janie Glover
Commissioners Not Present:
- Vice Chair Marilyn Harris
- Commissioner Natassia Allen
Staff and Guests attending the meeting included the following:
Staff:
- Aris Hanchard Ferguson, Interim Executive Director
Guests:
- Ronald T. Scott, Legal Counsel, Haynesworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. (via Zoom);
- Joseph Dickey, Legal Counsel, Haynesworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A. (via Zoom);
- Sheila Jones, Selenium Consulting (via Zoom);
- Benjamin Quattlebaum (via Zoom);
- John Perrill, Board of Directors, LHRC
- Roland Gardner, Board of Directors, LHRC
- Nioka Tompo, Resident
- Dontionette Frazier, Resident
- Alicia Brown, Participant
Call to Order and Roll Call
Chairman James called the meeting to order, took roll, and a quorum was recognized.
Freedom of Information Act Statement
The Interim Executive Director confirmed that the meeting was publicly noticed, posted, and distributed in compliance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
Adoption of Agenda
Chairman James requested that the agenda be amended to move the first Executive Session to immediately following Public Comment. Commissioner Robinson moved to amend the agenda accordingly and approve the agenda as amended. Commissioner Achurch seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
The Board considered the minutes of the June 17, 2026, Regular Meeting and June 26, 2026, Special Meeting. Commissioner Robinson moved to approve the minutes as presented. Commissioner Glover seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment
The Board received public comments from several individuals regarding resident concerns and Housing Authority operations.
- A resident, Ms. Nioka Tompo, addressed the Board regarding concerns with maintenance repairs and work-order follow-up, staff communication, complaint and investigation procedures, resident treatment, and accountability. Ms. Tompo also raised concerns regarding the handling of documents she had previously provided to staff and requested further review of the circumstances surrounding those documents. She additionally requested documentation relating to prior communications concerning lease renewal income requirements and directives regarding removal of outdoor items from her residence. Ms. Tompo expressed concern that resident complaints were not being adequately investigated or followed up upon and advised that other residents had reported similar concerns.
- Resident Dontoinette Frazier of Oak Hill Terrace addressed the Board regarding a notice residents had received concerning potential charges for maintenance or damages. Staff clarified that residents are generally responsible for charges associated with tenant-caused damage beyond normal wear and tear and advised that the specific notice would be reviewed. Ms. Frazier also raised concerns regarding ongoing disturbances involving youth and other individuals within the community, including alleged drug activity, threatening behavior, and other safety concerns. She discussed prior communications with Housing Authority staff and the Port Royal Police Department and requested additional follow-up regarding enforcement and community safety.
- Alicia Brown, a former Public Housing resident and current Housing Choice Voucher participant, addressed the Board in support of the residents who had spoken. Ms. Brown discussed her prior experiences with maintenance delays, work orders, grievance and communication concerns while residing in Public Housing. She also expressed appreciation for assistance received from the Housing Authority during her transition to the Housing Choice Voucher Program following a fire at her former residence. Ms. Brown encouraged the Board, staff, and residents to work collaboratively to address longstanding operational and housing-condition concerns.
Chairman James thanked the speakers for their comments and advised that the Board and staff would review and follow up regarding the concerns raised.
No additional public comment was offered.
Executive Session
Commissioner Glover moved to enter Executive Session for discussion of matters incident to contractual arrangements regarding repositioning pursuant to S.C. Code 30-4-70(a)(2). Commissioner Achurch seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Board entered Executive Session at 5:44 p.m.
Following Executive Session, Commissioner Glover moved to return to Open Session. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion.
The Board returned to Open Session at 6:14 p.m.
No action was taken as a result of Executive Session.
The Board subsequently recessed. The recess concluded at 6:20 p.m.
Interim Executive Director's Report
Interim Executive Director Aris Ferguson provided an operational update.
Forensic Review
Marcus Hodge joined the meeting virtually to provide the Board with a summary of the forensic review previously completed for the Housing Authority. Mr. Hodge explained that the engagement was primarily a fraud examination and operational review rather than a traditional financial statement audit and noted that the review identified little evidence of potential fraud or misappropriation.
Mr. Hodge discussed the specialized nature of Housing Authority accounting and emphasized the importance of formal written accounting policies and detailed operating procedures to preserve institutional knowledge, maintain continuity during staff transitions, and support HUD reporting and audit compliance.
Mr. Hodge reviewed concerns identified during the engagement regarding historical concentration of financial and operational knowledge among individual employees, limited written procedures, management of Capital Fund Program resources, and prior delays in drawing available Capital Fund grants. He discussed historical expenditures and financial decisions reviewed during the engagement, including the use of operating reserves when Capital Fund resources were available and the purchase and accounting treatment of screen doors acquired with Capital Fund resources.
Mr. Hodge advised that his principal recommendations were for the Housing Authority to formalize its accounting policies and procedures and to develop a more deliberate, long-term approach to planning, obligating, and expending Capital Fund resources.
The Board discussed the findings and recommendations. Consultant Quattlebaum concurred that historically the Housing Authority had underutilized Capital Fund resources and lacked sufficient continuity in Capital Fund administration and written operating procedures. Staff advised that work is underway to improve Capital Fund planning, financial administration, and internal processes.
Insurance Coverage
Interim Director Ferguson reported that the South Carolina Insurance Reserve Fund had advised the Housing Authority that property coverage would need to increase from 80% to 100% of replacement cost. Staff is reviewing the impact of the change on agency premiums and will provide additional information as available.
Information Technology and Management Software
Interim Director Ferguson reported that the Housing Authority had entered into a one-year agreement to transition its Lindsey housing management software to a cloud-based platform. Staff intends to issue an RFP to evaluate longer-term housing management and financial software options, including systems capable of providing more comprehensive in-house financial reporting.
Interim Director Ferguson also reported that staff is working with the agency's technology provider to transition to a hybrid server environment. The proposed system will establish a centralized cloud-based repository for agency forms, policies, contracts, procedures, and other commonly used documents to improve version control and accessibility.
Agency Vehicle Accident
Interim Director Ferguson reported that an agency maintenance vehicle had been involved in a motor vehicle accident in which two employees sustained injuries. The employees had returned to work and continued to receive appropriate treatment. The vehicle was declared a total loss by the insurance carrier. Staff will therefore need to replace the vehicle in addition to the previously planned replacement of older fleet vehicles.
PHAS/Substandard Management Designation
Interim Director Ferguson updated the Board regarding the agency's FY 2024 PHAS management score and resulting substandard management designation. Staff had evaluated whether an appeal could result in a passing score.
Ms. Ferguson advised that although the agency may have grounds to recover approximately five points related to tenant accounts receivable scoring, the additional points would not be sufficient to raise the overall score of 71 to the passing threshold of 80. Other deductions were attributable to FY 2024 occupancy and debt service coverage ratio performance.
Staff will therefore proceed with the required recovery plan rather than pursuing an appeal that would not result in a passing score. Ms. Ferguson noted that performance in the relevant areas has since improved and that the designation does not prevent the Housing Authority from proceeding with its current tax credit redevelopment efforts.
Administrative Office Water Damage
Interim Director Ferguson reported that a toilet overflow in the Housing Authority's administrative office resulted in significant overnight water intrusion affecting several offices. Staff responded immediately, and Servpro performed remediation. Due to the nature of the water intrusion, portions of drywall and flooring were removed and will be replaced. Plumbing repairs were also completed to address the source of the incident. Agency operations continued with temporary office adjustments during remediation.
Redevelopment and RAD
Interim Director Ferguson reported that the Housing Authority had received its Commitment to Enter into a Housing Assistance Payment Contract ("CHAP") from HUD, representing HUD approval for the agency to proceed with its planned repositioning and redevelopment activities.
The Board expressed its appreciation for reaching this significant redevelopment milestone. Ms. Ferguson also confirmed that the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit application had been successfully submitted and that a decision is anticipated in approximately September.
Chairman James requested that the previously established design committee, consisting of Chairman James, Commissioner Achurch, and Director Stancil, participate in upcoming redevelopment design discussions with developer Kevin Connolly and his team. Staff advised that the next anticipated design meeting would be Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Old Business
There was no old business.
New Business
- Resolution - Optional Employer Participation in State Insurance Benefits Program
Interim Director Ferguson presented a resolution authorizing the Housing Authority to participate as an optional employer in the South Carolina state employee insurance benefits program administered through PEBA. Ms. Ferguson explained that participation would allow the Housing Authority to provide employees with more comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability coverage, while reducing the agency's anticipated employer premium costs. Participation would also substantially reduce the cost to employees electing dependent coverage. Staff advised that, upon approval and completion of the required enrollment documentation, coverage is anticipated to begin January 1, 2027. Ms. Ferguson further advised that participating optional employers are required to remain in the program for a minimum of four years.
Commissioner Achurch moved to approve the resolution authorizing optional employer participation in the State Insurance Benefits Program. Commissioner Glover seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. - Resolution - Disposition of Agency Vehicles
The Board considered a resolution authorizing the disposition of agency vehicles that had previously been identified for removal from the Housing Authority's fleet. Staff advised that the vehicles would be disposed of through auction following Board authorization.
Commissioner Robinson moved to approve the resolution authorizing disposition of the vehicles. Commissioner Glover seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Executive Session
Commissioner Achurch moved to enter Executive Session for discussion of employment matters related to the Executive Director search. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Board entered Executive Session at 7:08 p.m.
Following Executive Session, Commissioner Achurch moved to return to Open Session. Commissioner Glover seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Board returned to Open Session at 7: 16 p.m. Chairman James announced that no votes were taken during Executive Session and no action was required upon returning to Open Session.
Questions and Comments: Next Regular Meeting
There were no Commissioner comments. The next regular meeting of the Beaufort Housing Authority Board of Commissioners is scheduled for: August 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Beaufort Housing Authority Conference Room.
Adjournment
Commissioner Achurch moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.