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Charleston County News Release

MEDIA CONTACT

Name:   Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer

Phone: (843) 958-4012

Email:   jdavis@charlestoncounty.org 

Release Number: 3004

Date: April 29, 2009

Public Input Requested on Possible Closing of Edisto Island Magistrate Court

Residents can provide comments on Tuesday, May 5 to Charleston County Council

In an effort by Charleston County Government to reduce costs and maintain countywide efficiencies, the Edisto Island magistrate office located at 8070 Indigo Hill Road will be considered for closure at the Charleston County Council Finance Committee meeting at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 30. The meeting is open to the public.

The public will have an opportunity to provide comments to County Council on the proposed closure of the Edisto Island Magistrate Court at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 in Council Chambers at the Lonnie Hamilton Public Service Building (4045 Bridge View Drive; North Charleston, SC 29405).

Council could take a final vote on the matter as early as its regular council meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5.

If County Council decides to close the facility, the court could be closed by the end of May. Citizens on Edisto Island who need court services would be required to use the Ravenel/Hollywood Magistrate office in the George Tumbleston, Jr. Satellite Building located at 5962 Highway 165, Suite 200, in Ravenel. Upon closure, personnel assigned to the Edisto Island court would be reassigned to another court facility.

SIDEBAR: information on the Edisto Island Magistrate Court

• Court is conducted in a facility leased from Edisto Island Self-Development of People, Inc. for a term of 25 years.

• Charleston County paid $15,000 toward construction of the building in lieu of future rent costs.

• The current 25-year lease ends March 16, 2012. If Council decides to close the facility, the County could save $45,000 over the remaining three years in costs for security, custodial services, utilities, taxes and insurance.

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