Charleston County News Release

MEDIA CONTACT

Name:   Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer

Phone:  843.958.4012

Release Number: 2693

Date: June 8, 2006


Charleston County Council Approves a No-Tax-Increase Budget for 11th Straight Year

Charleston County Council gave final approval on Tuesday, June 6 to a no-tax-increase budget for fiscal year 2006-2007 (July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007). This marks the eleventh year in a row that Council has adopted a budget for Charleston County without raising taxes on homeowners.

The $360.1 million budget is the result of work by Charleston County Government staff followed by two months of County Council meetings where members reviewed the proposed budget department-by-department to make adjustments and find ways to meet the county’s financial needs.

“While maintaining the highest level of services provided by Charleston County government to the community is of utmost importance, we want the public to know that we are listening to their concerns,” said Leon Stavrinakis, Charleston County Council Chairman. “All council members are very pleased to once again pass a balanced budget for the county that does not increase taxes for our citizens.”

In working toward a balanced budget, Council had to consider several critical items, including rising health insurance, fuel, and construction costs.

Also included in the 2006-2007 fiscal year budget:

- Three new employees for the Register Mesne Conveyance (RMC) to improve the time to record land titles, liens, and other documents related to property transactions.
- Four new employees and an ambulance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to improve response times in the Mount Pleasant area.
- The Solid Waste User Fee will remain at $89 per household annually.

Visit the Charleston County Web site at www.charlestoncounty.org for news, services and up-to-date information relating to Charleston County government.

- Written by Jennie R. Davis -