Tybee Island City Council approved raises for councilmembers

Michael has been a Tybee resident since 1956.

Michael is the co-owner of Cockspur Grill. He previously worked in maintenance for over 30 years and served as the facility manager at Fort Pulaski.

Michael is currently a Tybee Island City Council member. He was elected in 2019 and is serving his second term.

As of September 3, 2025, Michael Spec Hosti did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

Believes in spending revenues wisely by reinvesting in resources, such as athletic fields and youth programs, for permanent residents.

- Believes in spending revenues wisely by reinvesting in resources, such as athletic fields and youth programs, for permanent residents.

Public Services

Supports more affordable housing options, but acknowledges the difficulty of the issue due to community opposition to low-income housing.

- Supports more affordable housing options, but acknowledges the difficulty of the issue due to community opposition to low-income housing.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Believes the city should have acquired property for transportation and infrastructure purposes in the past.

Believes the city should have acquired property for infrastructure purposes in the past.

- Believes the city should have acquired property for infrastructure purposes in the past.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports the city of Tybee Island's decision to purchase four acres of undeveloped land on the island's north end to meet water demands and conserve the property.

- Supports the city of Tybee Island's decision to purchase four acres of undeveloped land on the island's north end to meet water demands and conserve the property.

Energy & the Environment

Michael Spec Hosti

Supports reinvesting in resources, particularly athletic fields and youth programs, for permanent residents.

Believes in the importance of practical experience, saying "...worked in maintenance for over 30 years and was previously facility manager at Fort Pulaski, which he said taught him what it takes to build buildings."

Buket Urgen

Bill has a bachelor's degree in zoology, soil science, and forestry. He lives with his wife and their two sons in Tybee Island. He has been a member of the Better Hometown/Downtown Development Authority, Tybee Island Historical Society, Tybee Marine Science Center, Friends of Cockspur, and the Tybee Beautification Association.

Bill is a retired research forester. He worked at the University of Florida, Union Camp, and International Paper. Before that, he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala, where he worked on a fisheries development project and taught biology and marine science at Key West High School.

Bill Garbett sworn in for two-year term on Tybee Island City Council

Bill is currently a member of the Tybee Island City Council. He was elected in 2023 to fill a vacancy and is serving a two-year term. He previously served on the Tybee Island City Council from 2010 to 2018. 

As of September 3, 2025, Bill Garbett’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports enacting ordinances and developing acquisition plans to protect historic properties.

- Supports enacting ordinances and developing acquisition plans to protect historic properties.

Opposes short term rentals in residential neighborhoods.

Believes the Land Development Code is crucial for protecting community interests, such as setbacks, tree ordinances, and environmental protections, and opposes developers bypassing these regulations.

- Opposes short term rentals in residential neighborhoods.
- Believes the Land Development Code is crucial for protecting community interests, such as setbacks, tree ordinances, and environmental protections, and opposes developers bypassing these regulations.

Supports funding for police and fire departments.

Supports body cameras on police officers, saying they "save all sorts of time and lawsuits when accused are shown how they really behaved during an encounter with the police."

Believes council members should be informed about public safety departments but not interfere in their daily operations.

Supports the police chief's plans to address public safety concerns for future Orange Crush events.

- Supports funding for police and fire departments.
- Supports body cameras on police officers, saying they "save all sorts of time and lawsuits when accused are shown how they really behaved during an encounter with the police."
- Believes council members should be informed about public safety departments but not interfere in their daily operations.
- Supports the police chief's plans to address public safety concerns for future Orange Crush events.

Plans to improve infrastructure, including a deep well for sustainable water supply, storm water system upgrades, and highway improvements from Bull River bridge to Tybisa.

Supports stricter regulations and enforcement for golf carts, including noise limits, registration checks, and roadblocks for safety compliance.

Supports recent DOT plans for Hwy 80 improvements, believing they will help address transportation issues.

- Plans to improve infrastructure, including a deep well for sustainable water supply, storm water system upgrades, and highway improvements from Bull River bridge to Tybisa.
- Supports stricter regulations and enforcement for golf carts, including noise limits, registration checks, and roadblocks for safety compliance.
- Supports recent DOT plans for Hwy 80 improvements, believing they will help address transportation issues.

Believes Tybee must prepare for climate change, saying, "The earth's climate is undergoing climate change that is accelerated by human activities and Tybee must prepare for it."

Supports the City’s ban on smoking on the beach and efforts to reduce litter.

Believes Tybee's wellbeing relies on "good environmental stewardship" and plans to advocate for stricter enforcement against environmental violations, such as clear-cutting and dune destruction.

- Believes Tybee must prepare for climate change, saying, "The earth's climate is undergoing climate change that is accelerated by human activities and Tybee must prepare for it."
- Supports the City’s ban on smoking on the beach and efforts to reduce litter.
- Believes Tybee's wellbeing relies on "good environmental stewardship" and plans to advocate for stricter enforcement against environmental violations, such as clear-cutting and dune destruction.

Facebook

Bill Garbett

Bill Garbett has a bachelor's degree in zoology, soil science, and forestry. He lives with his wife, Chris, and their two sons in Tybee Island. He is a member of the Tybee Island Historical Society and the Tybee Beautification Association.

Walter Ley

Supports infrastructure projects, including a deep well for sustainable water supply, storm water system upgrades, and highway improvements from Bull River bridge to Tybisa.

Here are the candidates for several area 2025 municipal elections

Cam is from Tybee Island. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Georgia. Cam is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church

Cam is a licensed mortgage loan officer and real estate salesperson at First Coast Mortgage. 

2025 Municipal Election | Tybee Island, GA

Cam's campaign for Tybee Island City Council Member is his first entry into politics.

As of September 3, 2025, Cam Jackson did not have a website or any information online.

LinkedIn

Cam Jackson

Cam Jackson is a fourth generation Tybee Island native and currently works as a licensed mortgage loan officer and real estate salesperson at First Coast Mortgage.

Elaine Mcgruder is from Fort Payne, Alabama and currently lives in Tybee Island. 

Kiteboarder who rescued drowning teen running for Tybee City ...

Elaine previously worked as a defense attorney and prosecutor.

Elaine currently serves on the Tybee Island Planning Commission. She previously ran for Tybee City Council in 2021 but did not win. She also served on the Atlanta City Council for 10 years. 

Supports balancing tourism with residents’ quality of life by maintaining strong infrastructure, preserving green space and quiet neighborhoods, and enforcing existing regulations such as noise ordinances.

- Supports balancing tourism with residents’ quality of life by maintaining strong infrastructure, preserving green space and quiet neighborhoods, and enforcing existing regulations such as noise ordinances.

Supports voting on resident recommendations to improve quality of life, including parking, litter, and short-term vacation rental (STVR) regulations.

Plans to improve communication between City Hall, residents, and business owners by sharing information about proposed laws, ordinances, and spending decisions earlier and through more accessible channels.

- Supports voting on resident recommendations to improve quality of life, including parking, litter, and short-term vacation rental (STVR) regulations.
- Plans to improve communication between City Hall, residents, and business owners by sharing information about proposed laws, ordinances, and spending decisions earlier and through more accessible channels.

As of September 3, 2025, Elaine Mcgruder did not have a website or any information online.

Said, "Some of those issues are: too many potholes, sinkholes, old pipes, drains, water, sewage, and drainage problems all over Tybee, too many STRs in residential areas, lack of green space, and lack of enforcement of noise ordinances."

Wants to address  issues affecting residents’ quality of life, including potholes, sinkholes, aging water and sewer infrastructure, drainage problems, an over-concentration of short-term rentals in residential areas, limited green space, and a lack of  enforcement of noise ordinances.

Wants to maintain Tybee Island as a small friendly town with art galleries, restaurants, shops, and a Post Theater, while ensuring sufficient infrastructure to prevent issues with water, sewage, drainage, potholes, and sinkholes.

Wants to maintain Tybee Island as a small friendly town with art galleries, restaurants, shops, and a Post Theater, while ensuring sufficient infrastructure to prevent  issues with water, sewage, drainage, potholes, and sinkholes.

- Wants to address  issues affecting residents’ quality of life, including potholes, sinkholes, aging water and sewer infrastructure, drainage problems, an over-concentration of short-term rentals in residential areas, limited green space, and a lack of  enforcement of noise ordinances.
- Wants to maintain Tybee Island as a small friendly town with art galleries, restaurants, shops, and a Post Theater, while ensuring sufficient infrastructure to prevent  issues with water, sewage, drainage, potholes, and sinkholes.

Elaine Mcgruder

Elaine is a defense attorney and prosecutor. She served on the Atlanta City Council from 1979 to 1989, where she helped with development plans and organized community meetings.

Elaine McGruder previously ran for Tybee City Council in 2021 but did not win. She currently serves on the Tybee Island Planning Commission. She also served on the Atlanta City Council from 1979 to 1989.

Jim has lived on Tybee Island since 2018 and moved from Ohio.

Linkedin

Jim currently works as a controller for Oliver Maner, LLP. He previously worked as risk and control officer and auditor. 

Jim's campaign for Tybee Island City Council Member is his first entry into politics.

As of September 3, 2025, Jim Harrah did not have a website or any information online.

What to know about Tybee Island Candidates 

Supports the Tybee Island Maritime Academy remaining on Tybee Island.

- Supports the Tybee Island Maritime Academy remaining on Tybee Island.

Opposes a proposed project to reduce State Road 26/U.S. Highway 80 East.

- Opposes a proposed project to reduce State Road 26/U.S. Highway 80 East.

Jim Harrah

James Harrah has lived on Tybee Island since 2018 and moved from Ohio.

Mack Kitchens previously ran for Tybee Island mayor in 2019 and for city council in 2021 but did not win.

Advocates for regulating short-term vacation rentals.

- Advocates for regulating short-term vacation rentals.

As of September 3, 2025, Mack Kitchens did not have a website or any information online.

Wants to become the public safety chair to "have more direct input into public safety as far as the beaches and even the streets."

- Wants to become the public safety chair to "have more direct input into public safety as far as the beaches and even the streets."

Instagram

Mack Kitchens

Mack previously ran for Tybee Island mayor in 2019 and for city council in 2021 but did not win.

Supports regulating short-term vacation rentals.

Nicholas attended Armstrong State University. He and his wife, Stacy, have lived in Tybee Island since 2022. 

Nicholas is currently the vice president of Bishop-Durden-Hale Insurance Group. He previously worked as the vice president of Stevens Hale and Associates. 

Nicholas Hale's campaign for Tybee Island City Council is his first run for public office. 

What to know about Tybee Island Candidates before Election

Opposes the ordinance that eliminated new permits for short-term rentals in certain residential areas.

Opposes the ordinance that eliminated new permits for short-term vacation rentals in certain residential areas.

- Opposes the ordinance that eliminated new permits for short-term vacation rentals in certain residential areas.

Supports the Tybee Island Maritime Academy (TIMA) but is open to more conversations about the future of the academy.

- Supports the Tybee Island Maritime Academy (TIMA) but is open to more conversations about the future of the academy.

As of September 3, 2025, Nicholas Hale did not have a website or any information online.

Opposes the Georgia Department of Transportation’s proposed plan for U.S Highway 80 and Butler Avenue.

Wants to address infrastructure improvements and repairs to water and sewer lines.

- Opposes the Georgia Department of Transportation’s proposed plan for U.S Highway 80 and Butler Avenue.
- Wants to address infrastructure improvements and repairs to water and sewer lines.

Nicholas Hale

As of September 3, 2025, Nicholas Nick Hale did not have a website or any information online.

Nicholas Nick Hale

Paul studied English at Vanderbilt University. 

Tybee Island ousts incumbent council member, says no to pool

The more you raise a highway, the more it sinks: Tybee Island's ...

Paul Wolff previously served on the Tybee Island City Council from 2004 to 2016. He ran for re-election in 2015 but did not win.

Wants to improve Tybee resident's quality of life, while maintaining a robust economy and protecting the islands natural resources.

- Wants to improve Tybee resident's quality of life, while maintaining a robust economy and protecting the islands natural resources.

As of September 3, 2025, Paul Wolff did not have a website or any information online.

Supports planning and budgeting for future infrastructure to address sea level rise impacts.

- Supports planning and budgeting for future infrastructure to address sea level rise impacts.

What to Know About Tybee Island Candidates

Supports raising U.S. 80 to account for sea-level rise.

As a city commissioner, obtained a sustainability grant that retrofitted city buildings in Memorial Park with a geothermal system that reduced energy costs by almost 40%.

Believes the biggest issues facing the Tybee community are infrastructure problems, mainly water and sewer.

- Supports raising U.S. 80 to account for sea-level rise.
- As a city commissioner, obtained a sustainability grant that retrofitted city buildings in Memorial Park with a geothermal system that reduced energy costs by almost 40%.
- Believes the biggest issues facing the Tybee community are infrastructure problems, mainly water and sewer.

Paul Wolff

Paul previously served on the Tybee Island City Council from 2004 to 2016. He ran for re-election in 2015 but did not win.

Believes frequent flooding will occur on highways due to rising sea levels.

Believes rising sea levels will cause frequent flooding on highways.

Savannah Spartans Board

Robert earned a master's degree in labor and industrial relations from Michigan State University. Him and his wife moved to Tybee Island in 2020.

Here are the qualified candidates for Tybee, Thunderbolt, Garden ...

Robert is currently a Tybee Island Planning and Zoning Commission member appointed by the Mayor and City Council.

As of September 3, 2025, Robert "Bob" Matkowski did not have a website or any information online.

Believes the resolution for the Tybee Island Maritime Academy is too open-ended, with no timelines for how long the academy would have to raise money to build the school.

- Believes the resolution for the Tybee Island Maritime Academy is too open-ended, with no timelines for how long the academy would have to raise money to build the school.

Supports a balance in residential areas between short-term rentals and full-time residents.

- Supports a balance in residential areas between short-term rentals and full-time residents.

Supports a functional stormwater and sewer plan.

- Supports a functional stormwater and sewer plan.

Robert "Bob" Matkowski

Robert Matkowski's campaign for Tybee Island City Council Member is his first entry into politics.

As of September 3, 2025, Robert Bob Matkowski did not have a website or any information online.

Robert Bob Matkowski

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy. 
- City council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 