Palmetto JANUARY
2026
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WWW.PDPOA .ORG
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VOLUME
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ISSUE
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P E R S P E C T I V E
JANUARY 20178 | WWW.PDPOA.ORG
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
board@pdpoa.org
Barbara McFadden, CHAIR
843-686-2465 | bmcattorney@gmail.com
Lee Whitehurst, VICE CHAIR
703-727-1593 | albert.lee.whitehurst@gmail.com
Alice Bettencourt, SECRETARY
703-216-7315 | abett.pdpoa@gmail.com
Bob Talbot, TREASURER
630-608-8278 | talbots83@gmail.com
Karen Booth
203-906-8227 | karenb29928@gmail.com
Kelly Brown
513-477-8245 | kelly.brown7200@gmail.com
Kurt Faires
423-757-0226 | kfaires@chamblisslaw.com
Cate Jarrett
914-310-6103 | jarrett.cate@gmail.com
Lutz Schremmer
843-597-3444 | lschremmer1@gmail.com
Brad Marra, GREENWOOD C&R
843-785-0010 | bmarra@palmettodunes.com
NEW BOARD MEMBER, LUTZ SCHREMMER
Lutz Schremmer has been appointed by the Board to fill the seat left vacant by Doug Luba's resignation. He will fill the remainder of the term that ends in October 2026. Lutz and his wife Denise moved to Palmetto Dunes in 1997 and raised their family here. Lutz recently worked on the 7 Lee Shore committee and on the ARB Guidelines update group.
BOARD MEETING TIME CHANGE
Administrative Coordinator, KATHLEEN RYAN
Beginning with the January 28th Board Meeting, meetings will be held at 3pm on the last Wednesday of the month. Meetings are open to all Palmetto Dunes property owners and are held in-person a t the PDPOA Administrative Office (located at 16 Queens Folly Road) and via Zoom. Meeting agendas and registration links are sent out one week prior to the meeting. For a full schedule, please visit: pdpoa.org/board-meeting-schedule.
ARB Coordinator, LISA MARTIN
DOMESTIC HELPER POLICY UPDATED
ON-SITE STAFF Accounting Administrator, KRISTEN CAPOZZI 843-785-1109 x103 | kcapozzi@pdpoa.org 843-785-1109 x105 | kryan@pdpoa.org
Captain-Admin Services, RICK MILLER
At the December 2025 Board Meeting, the Board approved an updated Domestic Helper Policy. The updated policy doubles the number of homes a domestic helper is allowed to service in Palmetto Dunes from two to four. Additionally, Domestic Helpers are now allowed to enter the community on Saturdays to assist their clients. The updated Domestic Helper Policy is on our website at pdpoa.org.
Captain-Operations, DARRYL JOHNSON
PROPERTY OWNER ID CARDS
843-785-1109 x114 | lmartin@pdpoa.org
Assets & Enhancements, SCOTT KLEIST 843-785-1109 x107 | skleist@pdpoa.org
843-785-1125 | rmiller@pdpoa.org
843-785-1125 | djohnson@pdpoa.org
Communications, ELIZABETH SIMPSON
843-785-1109 x106 | esimpson@pdpoa.org
Covenant Compliance, SCOTT KRIVDA 843-785-1109 x125 | skrivda@pdpoa.org
Finance, PAIGE DICKERSON
843-785-1109 x111 | pdickerson@pdpoa.org
General Manager, BILL DIX
843-785-1109 x108 | bdix@pdpoa.org
Reception & Operations Asst., LENA MURRAY 843-785-1109 | hmurray@pdpoa.org
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Admin, 843-785-1109 Pass Office, 843-785-1125 Security, 843-785-1120
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News
JANUARY 2026 | WWW.PDPOA.ORG
Property Owner ID cards offer a range of discounts on dining and services, along with enticing offers at various local establishments spanning dining, shopping, and fitness.To secure your Property ID Card and kickstart your access to local discounts, simply visit the Administrative Office during office hours, Monday through Friday, with your driver’s license.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGISTRATION
The PDPOA is currently working with the Town of Hilton Head regarding short-term rentals requirements. The Town's short-term rental registration due date coincides with the business license due date of April 30th and their renewal portal will open March 1st. Based on this, we will be planning how Palmetto Dunes' registration will work in advance of the March 1, 2026 date.
LAGOON LOWERING
January 14 & February 11 Our lagoon system is periodically lowered to promote the health of the waterway. Please note that dates are always subject to change/cancelation. The Palmetto Perspective is published bimonthly by the Palmetto Dunes Property Owners Association. ©2026 PALMETTO DUNES POA, INC.
Chairman's Report HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
work will help us all feel confident that
more
It’s 2026 and I’m
every segment of the community is fully
maintaining their homes and improving
excited by the many
served by the POA and consistent with
their properties while protecting the
things
our covenants and with fairness to all
covenant rights of all. The combination
owners.
of Standards, Processes and Contractor
here
happening in
Dunes. home
Palmetto Coming
last
night,
I
flexibility
and
creativity
in
Rules with approval processes tailored Transparent Committees
to the type of work for which approval is
Our new committee structure empowers
sought will allow owners to more easily
of our entry corridor holiday lights and
greater
the display at the circle with lit trees and
activities
our emblematic deer. Once again, I was
meetings open to attendance by all
reminded how lucky we are to live here.
owners, published agendas, focused
was struck by the beauty
transparency with
of
committee
maintain and improve their property
many
committee
within standards consistent with our covenants.
work items prioritized by the committee
Each of the foregoing initiatives ties back
This month, I would like to talk about
and approved for action by the Board
to the updated Strategic Plan and has its
three Board priorities: the Services Study,
of Directors, and published minutes of
origins in the Vision, Mission, Values,
our reenvisioned committee structure
all meetings.
Value Statement and Tag Line that are
with committee and Board priorities
committee/board
clearly aligned and articulated, and
promote engagement and focus
implementation of our new streamlined
achieve
and
community involvement.
simplified ARB
Standards
and
This transparency and
results
alignment with
should
the bedrock of our community.
to
maximum
My final thought for the new year and a New Year’s resolution for all of us: We
processes.
are all neighbors. We all want Palmetto ARB New Standards and Processes
Dunes to succeed as a community and
Services Study
Finally, we begin the rollout of our
remain the amazingly beautiful and
The Services Study is a Board work group
revised ARB Standards and processes.
welcoming place where we each have
initiative to research and understand the
This initiative began in February of 2025
found a home. As we continue to work
services currently delivered by the POA
and
improvements
together as members of the PDPOA, let
to owners classified into five segments:
for speedier approvals, ease of use
us all remember we are in this together
the Queens Folly Corridor (Queens Grant
for applicants, and revised rules for
and treat each other as we wish to be
and St. Andrews Common), Inverness
contractors
treated by others.
Multifamily, Inverness Single Family,
Dunes.
Mariner’s Multifamily, and Mariner’s
with
delivers
process
working
Revised
covenants
in
Palmetto
standards
aligned
will
owners
allow
—Barbara McFadden, Chairman
Single Family. The Study's mission: identify current services, understand the basis for the service in our covenants (Multifamily and Single Family) or otherwise, and the segments of the community for which the service is currently provided. Once this initial work is completed, we will analyze whether each such service should be continued,
modified
or
eliminated,
along with budgetary impact of these decisions, and a plan to implement our recommendations. The research will wrap up in February and the full Board will consider the report in March. This
JANUARY 2026 | WWW.PDPOA.ORG
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Upcoming Owner Events First Friday Food Trucks
PD Owners Card/Game Night
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 12-2PM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 12-2PM Join friends and neighbors to enjoy food from local vendors! Food trucks will be located at the Administrative and Security Parking Lot, 16 Queens Folly Rd.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 6-9PM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 6-9PM Come join your neighbors for Card/Game night in the Palmetto Dunes Conference room. Pizza, snacks, beer, wine and beverages will be served. Cards and games will be available but feel free to bring your own games. RSVP by the Thursday before the events.
New Years Happy Hour Social THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 4:30-7PM We've brought back this popular event to kick-off the new year! Gather with neighbors at Big Jim's New Years Happy Hour! Enjoy festive holiday appetizers and drinks. Bites include caprese skewers, sweet chili shrimp, spinach and artichoke dip, and baked ziti. Registration is $25 and includes all food and one drink ticket. Please register online.
Roots and Tides: The Lowcountry’s Nature and Cultural Story TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1-2PM Join us for a journey through the Lowcountry’s natural story and discover how its stunning ecology has shaped the region’s history and culture. Explore the influence of live oaks, longleaf pines, shifting tides, and vital ecosystems like oyster beds and tidal marshes. Learn how these iconic landscapes continue to shape the Lowcountry’s future. $10 per person; light lunch provided.
Decoupage your own Bottle Stopper/Shell Trinket Dish TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2-4PM Join us for a relaxing and creative evening at our Decoupage Craft Night! Enjoy snacks and wine while you make two beautiful decoupage pieces of your choice—oyster shell bottle stopper or shell-shaped trinket dish. Come unwind, get crafty, and take home something uniquely yours!
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JANUARY 2026 | WWW.PDPOA.ORG
Palmetto Room Happy Hour WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 4-6PM Come join us for our first Happy Hour at the Palmetto Room! This event is $5 and comes with your first drink included. Food will be available for purchase.
Wine Down Tuesday with Totality MediSpa TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 4-6PM Join us for a relaxing and rejuvenating evening with Totality Medi Spa! Enjoy light snacks, wine, exclusive tox specials, exciting raffles, and a chance to chat with their expert esthetician about all things skincare and wellness. A perfect night to unwind, learn, and treat yourself!
Gardening with the Greenery MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 12-2PM Join us for a special workshop with The Greenery to help Hilton Head Island homeowners create vibrant, thriving coastal gardens. Whether you're experienced or just starting out, you'll learn which flowers, shrubs, and greenery grow best in our sandy soils and salty, warm climate. Tim Drake will share tips on plant selection, maintenance, and designing a sustainable Lowcountry garden. Discover the best plants for coastal living—and grow your garden with confidence!
PDPOA MEETINGS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Chat with the Chair
Noon. This monthly event gives owners an opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues facing our community with the Board Chair. TUESDAY, JANUARY 27 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Ask the Staff
2pm. The event will start with short introductions from key staff, each highlighting a key issue from their department. Residents can then ask questions, share concerns, and get clarity on HOA topics like landscaping, safety, maintenance, and more. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Board Meeting
3:00pm. Meetings are open to Palmetto Dunes property owners to attend in person or via Zoom.
Event Registration You can register for all Community Events online at: pdpoa.org/events. If you need any assistance registering for an event, please contact Kathleen Ryan at kryan@pdpoa.org.
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Treasurer's Report The Board has recently approved both the Capital and Operating Budgets for 2026. Full details can be found under the Financials tab on the Association’s website. Highlights of the Capital budget include a total budget of $3.3 million for 2026. Key projects include: • The completion of paving and stormwater drainage replacement on Mooring Buoy • Drainage and paving on Rum Row • Drainage and paving on Haul Away • Evaluation of a leisure path on Haul Away • Queen’s Folly corridor study • Additional beach path widening and Mobi Mats As far as the Operating budget, we anticipate revenues of $11.6 million. The key revenue components are: • Assessments and Fees - $5.3 million • Pass Office revenue - $3.7 million • Investment Income - $0.9 million • CEF Income - $0.7 million • On the expense side: • Contributions to reserves - $2.9 million • Security - $2.8 million • General and Administrative expenses - $1.3 million • Property Operations - $1.3 million • Pass Office - $0.7 million • CEF Projects - $0.5 million As most owners know by now, the Board has agreed to increase the annual owner assessment from the current $1,900 level to $2,000 for 2026. It has been 3 years since the last annual assessment increase, and as we all know, inflation has gone up dramatically during that time. The compounded rate of inflation over the last 3 years has been
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JANUARY 2026 | WWW.PDPOA.ORG
close to 10% while the increase to the assessment is 5.3%. When you compare our absolute level of assessments as well as the increase for next year to other communities in the area, you can see that we are in the middle of the pack. Earlier this year, the Finance Committee performed a comprehensive review of all of our reserve funds. We recommended to the Board increasing the targeted levels of the Contingency and CEF funds. This was to anticipate continually increasing costs of capital projects due to inflation as well as stricter requirements from the town of Hilton Head for our stormwater systems capacity. As well, we wanted to raise the level of reserves we have available to recover from storms. The total value of the increased annual owner assessments is about $200,000 and that is how much we increased our budgeted contribution to the Repair and Replacement fund for 2026. I believe that the Association is in very good financial health, evidenced by our annual audit and our ability to continue to make meaningful contributions to our reserve accounts. Of course, these reserve accounts could be used up very quickly in the event of a named storm landing on Hilton Head Island. While this could be devastating to the physical infrastructure of the community and to individual homeowners, we would be in good shape to fund the recovery process financially. I thank you for recently re-electing me to an additional one year term and am honored to be able to serve the community as Treasurer for another year. —Bob Talbot, Treasurer
2026 ANNUAL ASSESSMENT The 2026 annual residential assessment approved by the Board is $2,000 and will be invoiced the first week of January 2026. Homeowners can view their assessment invoices by January 16, 2026, through their online portal. Annual residential assessments are due March 1, 2026, and will be considered delinquent if unpaid on March 31, 2026. The recent Board approved Annual Assessment Collection Policy is available at pdpoa.org. Homeowners with an active email address on file will receive a statement inclusive of instructions for online payment or submitting a check. If no email address is on record, invoices will be mailed directly to your primary address on file. We encourage all homeowners to verify their online portal contact information and activate an online portal if they haven’t already done so. Homeowners can remit payments via their secure online portals or initiate the autopay feature to avoid a late payment and any potential late fees. The cost for an online portal ACH remittance is $2.99 or a 3% credit card processing fee. For any questions about your assessment, feel free to reach out to Paige Dickerson at pdickerson@pdpoa.org.
Resort Happenings
The Super Sunday Golf Tournament— Sunday, February 8, 2026
Family Fun at Palmetto Dunes
The Dunes House
Toptracer Range
The tournament begins at 9 a.m. at the
Guests of all ages and abilities will enjoy
To view the Dunes House calendar and hours of operation, visit PalmettoDunes. com/DunesHouse.
Robert Trent Jones Course with a shotgun start, four-man scramble format and prizes awarded. Registration is $110 per player (includes golf, greens fees, prizes and 4 beer/ snack tickets). Member rates do not apply. For questions, contact Becky at (843) 686-
playing iconic courses or taking aim at virtual targets, seeing if they can climb our global leaderboard. Learn to play as a family
Happenings at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort:
and challenge each other to fun games such
HH Prime Restaurant – Seasonal times
as Go Fish, Closest to the Pin and the An-
9624 or via email at RDeRose@Palmetto-
gry Birds game. Advanced reservations are
Dunes.com. Registration opens on Friday,
highly encouraged. Reserve your bay at Pal-
January 2 and will close Friday, January 30.
mettoDunesToptracerRange.com.
Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar – 2026 Wine Dinners Spend the evening at Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar as the culinary staff will deliver a prix-fixe menu, each course paired with a dif-
843.342.8058 for breakfast & dinner hours and be sure to make your reservations through opentable.com/hh-prime. XO Sports & Spirits – Enjoy game day sports on any of our 13 monitors with Big 10 Net-
Visit PalmettoDunes.com/SuperSunday for more info and registration details.
may vary. Please call ahead of time at
Luxury Pontoon Boat Rentals at Shelter Cove Marina Plan a relaxing trip out on the water with Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina’s luxury Pon-
work, the SEC Network, and PGA Tour coverage. Drink specials and casual menu. Open daily. 843.341.8487. Palmetto Market – Open 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. for coffee, beverages, fresh-made breakfast
toon Boat Rentals! These spacious Aloha
items, sandwiches, pizza, salads, and mar-
pontoon boats feature room for up to 12
ket items. 843.341.8025.
ferent glass of wine from a featured winery.
people comfortably, a 9-foot Sunbrella Bi-
Priced at $135 per person. View the upcom-
mini for shade, Bluetooth speakers, Garmin
ing 2026 Wine Dinners and reserve your spot
GPS & depth finder and more. ShelterCov-
at AlexandersRestaurant.com/Wine-Dinner.
eMarinaBoatRentals.com.
Ocean Tides Spa – Check out our featured products and treatments! Call 843.341.8056 for services, appointments, or gift cards. Visit www.omnihiltonhead.com for more information.
JANUARY 2026 | WWW.PDPOA.ORG
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID HILTON HEAD, SC PERMIT NO. 759