Council Members

The Beaufort City Council is composed of five members, including the Mayor.  All are elected at-large to four-year, staggered terms, with elections held every two years.  Council members elect a Mayor Pro Tem from within the body to serve in the absence of the Mayor.

City Council Regular meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. City Council Worksessions are held the first, third and fifth Tuesday of each month, and an occasional special meetings throughout the year, as needed may be required.  Meetings are held at 1901 Boundary Street at the Beaufort Municipal Complex inside the Courtroom.  Regular meetings begin at 6 p.m. Worksession begin at 5 p.m.

Council members do not maintain offices at City Hall, however official correspondence may be sent to the attention of the City Clerk at P.O. Drawer 1167, Beaufort, South Carolina 29901.
 

 

Mayor 
Billy Keyserling
771 Ribaut Rd. 
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 986-2444 (Work)
(843) 521-2600 (Home)

billyk@islc.net

 

A native Beaufortonian, Billy Keyserling graduated from Brandeis University (BS, Magna Cum Laude) and Boston University (MS). 

Prior to returning to Beaufort in 1989, Billy spent almost sixteen years working on and around Capitol Hill in Washington, DC: with administrative and legislative duties for members of the U.S. Congress, coordinating an international Human Rights initiative and as a public affairs consultant. 

Keyserling served two terms in the S.C. House of Representatives where he was Vice Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Energy and Chairman of the Beaufort County Legislative Delegation.  After deciding to not seek a third term,  Keyserling was elected to City Council in 2000 and served one term. 

Billy is a licensed Real Estate Broker in SC and GA and has his series 22 and 63 Securities Licenses under Welton Street Investments, LLC.  His business focus is counseling clients on Tax Efficient Strategies for exiting highly appreciated real estate, Real Estate for Charity and Conservation Easements.

Billy Keyserling was elected Mayor in November of 2008.

 

Councilwoman
Donnie Ann Beer
P.O. Box 1171
Beaufort, SC 29901
379-6099 (Home)
379-2750 (Work)

dbeer@hargray.com


Councilwoman Beer first served on City Council in 1991.  She has been an ardent supporter of Beaufort's efforts to retain its military presence, serving on the Chamber of Commerce's Military Enhancement Committee.  Ms. Beer resides in Beaufort and owns her own small business, Amenities, Southern Style, in Beaufort.
 

Councilman
Gary Fordham
860 Ribaut Road
Beaufort, SC 29902
524-3334 (Home)

indiana@hargray.com


Councilman Fordham has served on City Council since 1999, but has vast prior experience in local government.  Fordham served for 16 years on the Beaufort County Council, representing City residents.  Councilman Fordham is a retired lawyer and a lifelong resident of Beaufort.
 

Councilman
Mike Sutton

809 Craven St.
Beaufort, SC 29902
252-5687

mikesutton@hargray.com


Councilman "Mike" Sutton was elected to City Council in 2006.  He is a retired U.S. Coast Chief who returned to Beaufort after a long and exciting career sailing the world.  Mr. Sutton is a licensed builder who enjoys working on restoration and renovation projects in Beaufort's historic district.  Mr. Sutton has served as the Vice Chairman of the Historic District Review Board and as a Deputy Sheriff with Beaufort County.  He is an Honorary Member in the "Beaufort" Rotary Club and spends many hours assisting Lowcounty Habitat for Humanity in their efforts helping families with repair projects in the community.  Mr. Sutton and his wife Nannette B. Brown, of Beaufort, own and operate a unique retail gift shop on Bay Street and enjoy spending time with their rescue puppy,” lulu-belle”. 
 

 


Councilman
Mike McFee

2302 Wilson Dr. 
Beaufort, SC 29902
843-321-0556  (Work)
843-522-1528 (Home)

mikemcfee@hargray.com


Mike McFee was elected to City Council in November 2008.  He has been a Real Estate Broker for more than 25 years and is with HomeTown Realty.  Mr. McFee has previoulsy served on the Tourism Managerment Advisory Commission (TMAC) and Waterways Commission for the City.  He is a past Chairman of the Board of the Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, and past president of the Beaufort Realtors Association.  Mr. McFee most recently served as the Neighborhood Coordinator for the United Way Campaign-Northern Beaufort County, and is a member of Carteret Street United Methodist Church.