Contact Information, Office Hours
Functions, Office Responsibilities
FAQ's, Common Terms, History, Interesting Facts
Financial Reports

2010 Local Accommodations Tax application
County Council has reopened the ATAX application deadline to June 4, 2009 and committed $175,000 for FY10 funding of which $25,000 will go toward entities in the unincorporated areas.

Application:  Word or PDF

Functions

Budget Analysis, Preparation and Monitoring

The Budget Office administers and monitors the County's annual operating, long-term capital enterprise fund and grant budgets. By developing an operating budget that meets the requirements and directions of County Council, this Office serves the citizens of Charleston County while trying to meet their needs and keep taxes as low as possible.

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This Office Does

	Prepare annual operating budgets, including revenue projections and expenditure requests for the County's various funds
	Monitor budgets to ensure that expenditures are within budget confines and funds are spent as intended by County Council
	Process budget transfer requests
	Review the budgets and audits of seven special purpose districts
	Evaluate Trident Technical College's annual request of the County to fund its facilities' maintenance and make a recommendation to Council regarding the amount to be funded

This Office Does Not

	Pay bills (See Controller)
	Levy or collect taxes (See Auditor)
	Receive revenues (See Treasurer)
	Process requests for funds from non-profit organizations (See Grants)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Terms

Budget Transfer-- A budgetary transaction which transfers funds between a department's budgeted accounts, divisions or funds.

Expenditures-- The amount of money actually spent or obligated for payment from County funds.

Intergovernmental Revenues-- Revenues from other governments in the form of grants, entitlements, shared revenues or payments in lieu of taxes.

Revenues-- Money received from taxes, fees, permits, licenses, interest and intergovernmental sources.

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History

Prior to 1980, budget requests were submitted to County Council by the County Administrator from a document prepared by the Finance Department. The Office of Budget Analysis was established in 1980 and charged with this responsibility. This office evolved into the Budget Office in 1983. The Budget Office operates today under the Chief Financial Officer.

Interesting Facts

The Budget Office publishes an annual report in the form of The Charleston County Approved Budget. This book has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation awards from the Government Finance Officers Association since 1990.

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Contact Information

Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 958-4640
(843) 958-4645 (Fax)

Office Hours

Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

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