Charleston County News Release

MEDIA CONTACT

Name:   Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer

Phone: 843.958.4012

Email:   jdavis@charlestoncounty.org

Release Number: 2913

Date: August 27, 2008
 
 

SEE REPORT: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/stats/annualreports/AnnualReport2008.pdf

Charleston County Government Publishes 2008 Annual Report

            Report gives the public information on Charleston County Government services, accomplishments, and how citizens’ tax dollars are used throughout the fiscal year

Charleston County Government has published its Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report, which is now available on the County’s Web site, to give the public an overview of what County government accomplished during the fiscal year from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008.
 

The report begins with a letter from Charleston County Administrator Mack Canterbury stating, “in recent months, it has become increasingly important that all government entities recognize the need to be flexible in order to react responsibly to fluctuations in our national economy.” 
 

The County’s annual report is written in an easy-to-read newsletter style, with bullet points and short updates on County programs and projects such as:
 

• Solid waste and recycling

• Small Business Enterprise Program

• Consolidated 911 dispatch

• Transportation Half-Cent Sales Tax road projects and greenspace purchases

• Comprehensive Plan 10-Year Update process

• Stormwater management

• Detention Center expansion project

• Emergency management, including new evacuation pick-up points and the Alert Charleston County program created for citizens to register their unlisted landline and cell phone numbers to receive official emergency notifications

• Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off Program

• News from the County’s elected and appointed officials

• Charleston County awards and recognitions

In a tight economy, Charleston County Government trimmed its budget and still maintained its strong AAA bond rating throughout Fiscal Year 2008, saving residents who live in the unincorporated areas of the County significant dollars in insurance costs.
 

In order to plan ahead for the expected $7.8 million shortfall that the Fiscal Year 2009 budget is facing, Charleston County has already taken these steps to help trim its next budget:
 

• A number of vacant, full-time positions were eliminated after careful evaluation.

• A hold was placed on non-essential training and travel.

• The use of non-emergency vehicles under the County Administrator’s departments has been dramatically scaled back.

• Several hybrid vehicles were added to the County’s fleet when replacing old vehicles in order to reduce fuel costs and environmental impacts.

According to Canterbury, the 2009 budget season preparation will require excellent communication, which he describes in his 2008 Annual Report letter as “[a] diligent and ongoing exchange between Council, management and staff, all of whom are determined to maintain the highest possible level of services to the citizens of the Lowcountry.”
 

All citizens are encouraged to read the Fiscal Year 2008 Charleston County Annual Report. Go to www.charlestoncounty.org, and click on the “FY2008 Charleston County Annual Report” link located under the “What’s New” tab.