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.

Economy

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

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

Public Services

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.

Housing & Urban Development

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.

Public Safety

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.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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.

Energy & the Environment

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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.

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

- 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. 