Boards/Commissions

All applicants must be residents of Charleston County. All positions are appointed by Charleston County Council, unless otherwise noted. Citizens interested in submitting an application for appointment should download the application for appointment here and return completed applications to the Deputy Clerk of Council Kristen Hess, 4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston, SC, 29405-7464, faxed to (843)958-4035, or emailed to kthess@charlestoncounty.org For more information, please contact Deputy Clerk of Council Kristen Hess at 843-958-4034.

The Charleston County Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee is a seven (7) member board appointed by Charleston County Council and charged by State Statute to make recommendations to Council on the expenditure of revenue generated from the state accommodations tax. The board shall consist of the following: two (2) representatives of the lodging industry whose business is located in Charleston County, a representative of the hospitality industry whose business is located in Charleston County, a representative of cultural organizations located in Charleston County, a representative who resides in Charleston County West of the Ashley (to include areas West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, Wadmalaw Island, Hollywood, Ravenel, St. Paul's areas, Edisto Island), a representative who resides in Charleston County East of the Cooper (to include areas in Mt. Pleasant, Awendaw, McClellanville, South Santee), and a member at large who resides in any area of Charleston County.

Charleston County and the City of Charleston jointly have one appointment to the Charleston County Aviation Authority. Council and the City of Charleston recommend the Candidate. The Governor makes the appointment, which is for four years.

The Awendaw-McClellanville Consolidated Fire District was established by County Ordinance and consists of nine members comprised of seven residents of the East Cooper area and a representative from the Towns of Awendaw of McClellanville. The purpose of the Board is to advise Charleston County Council of the nature and level of fire services to be provided in the Awendaw Consolidated Fire District.

Appointments to the Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority are made by the Governor upon the recommendation of County Council and with the confirmation of the Senate. Charleston County Council makes one recommendation to the Governor. Terms on the Authority are for four years. The Authority was established for the purpose of overseeing the redevelopment of the Naval Complex.

The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments is one of ten Councils of Governments created to serve the municipalities and counties of this state. The Council of Governments provides a forum though which locally elected officials and their representatives may meet to discuss and resolve issues of mutual concern. County Council has four appointments to the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments. The terms of membership of appointed representatives shall be two (2) years. Two of Council's appointees must be minorities. The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments meets at least four (4) times per year.

The Board of Assessment Appeals hears appeals from the Assessor's valuation of property values. Hearings are workload driven and are usually held on Wednesday afternoons. The Board's fifteen members shall be appointed by County Council to four year terms.

The Business License/User Fee Appeals Board is a six member board that is charged by County Council to receive testimony and make written determinations concerning appeals of citizens and the business community aggrieved by any action taken by the Business License/User Fee Department. Half of the members of this board must be either CPAs or attorneys and other applicants are encouraged to have a strong legal and/or financial background. Meetings are scheduled in the evenings, after normal working hours, on an as-needed basis. All determinations made by this Board are final unless the decision of the Board is appealed to Council within ten days after service of the Board's decision. Terms of the Business License/User Fee Appeals Board are for four years.

The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission is a seven member Board. The Commission is a policy making board and has specific areas of responsibility outlined in legislation. The Staff administers the policies of the Commission under the direction of the Executive Director. The mission of the Commission is to improve the quality of life in Charleston County by offering a diverse system of park facilities, programs and services without duplicating services provided by other agencies. The Commission generally schedules three Committee meetings and one Commission meeting each month. Special and additional meetings are held as needed. The Commission is appointed by the Governor, on the recommendation of County Council for two (2) year terms.

The Community Development Advisory Committee provides policy guidance for and exercises oversight with respect to activities and services provided under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The Committee makes recommendations to County Council on matters affecting the Consolidated Plan and other related matters as the common interest of the participating governments may dictate. The Committee consists of representatives from 11 (eleven) local governments and 4 (four) non-government partners. The non-government partners must be one representative from each the financial, legal, and construction fields as well as one community-based representative. Terms are four years.

The Charleston County Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals shall consist of eleven members appointed by Charleston County Council for a term of four years each. No member of the Board may hold an elected public office. The eleven-member board shall consist of the following: 2 registered architects, 1 registered structural engineer, 1 registered mechanical engineer, 2 registered civil engineers, 1 licensed general contractor, 1 mechanical contractor, 1 licensed electrical contractor, 1 licensed plumbing contractor, and 1 licensed residential home builder.

Members of the Disabilities and Special Needs Board are appointed by the Governor for four year terms. County Council recommends to the Governor persons to be appointed. The mission of the Board is to assist people with disabilities in meeting their needs, pursuing their dreams and achieving their possibilities; and to minimize the occurrence and reduce severity of disabilities through prevention. The Board meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm.

The Firemen's Insurance and Inspection Fund (1% Commission) is comprised of 21 members: the County Treasurer and 4 representatives from each of the five fire districts in the County (Awendaw, St. John's, St. Paul's, St. Andrews PSD, and James Island PSD). Members are appointed by the Treasurer upon recommendation of County Council for four year terms. All insurance companies doing business in South Carolina must report to the Department of Insurance the amount of fire insurance premiums written for improvements to all assessed property in each county and is then assessed a 1% tax for the fire insurance premiums written per county. That money is deposited into the 1% Fund and is dispersed to each County Treasurer. The Fund is then distributed to each fire district by the County Treasurer through the Firemen's Insurance & Inspection Fund (1%) Commission. The role of the 1% Commission is to ensure that expenditures from the fund are consistent with state statutes that regulate the fund.

The five members of the Charleston County Forestry Board shall assist in the general conduct of the forestry program in the County. The Board shall review, revise, and adopt the annual forest fire protection plan. Members of the Board shall reside in Charleston County. Appointments are made by the State Forester upon recommendation of County Council. Terms are for five years.

The Greenbelt Advisory Board serves two major purposes. The first is to make recommendations to County Council, based on extensive public input, for expenditures and policies pertaining to the Greenbelt Portion of the Transportation Sales Tax. The second purpose is to review each Greenbelt project using the Comprehensive Greenbelt Plan, ordinances and criteria, then make recommendations for funding to County Council.

The Greenbelt Advisory Board consists of 14 members selected by Charleston County Council and the elected Councils of each of the three major municipalities in Charleston County (Charleston, Mount Pleasant and North Charleston).

The Charleston County Historic Preservation Commission consists of nine members appointed by Council. The Commission reviews applications for Designations of Historic Properties and Certificates of Historic Appropriateness. The Commission makes recommendations to County Council on Designations of Historic Properties. The Commission also has final decision-making authority on Certificate of Historic Appropriateness applications and reviews and makes recommendations to the State Board of Review on nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest, competence, or knowledge in historic preservation.

The Charleston County Housing Authority and Redevelopment Authority is a public housing agency, receiving Federal Funds, charged with providing the County with adequate and safe low income housing and making same available to qualified persons and families at rentals they can afford. The Authority is composed of seven members, two of whom must be receiving assistance. Terms are for five year terms.

The Library Board of Trustees is an 11 member Board that is charged by State Statute to control and manage the County Public Library System. Members are appointed by County Council for terms of four years. Members shall be appointed from all geographical areas of the County. Library Board meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:15 pm.

The Charleston County Planning Commission consists of nine members appointed by Council. The Commission reviews preliminary plats and makes recommendations to Council on rezoning cases, and prepares-and revises periodically-plans and programs for the development of the County. The Commission also makes recommendations to County Council on such issues as zoning ordinances, regulations for the subdivision or development of land, tree ordinances, and other matters related to the development of the County.

The Charleston County Procurement Appeals Board meets only in the case of a formal protest by a vendor, regarding the solicitation of an award or an appeal from a determination made by the Director of Procurement. The Chairman of this five member Board must be an attorney. Terms are for two years.

The Set Off Debt Collection Officer will hear debtor protests and must have medical education/training in order to understand and evaluate bills for medical services, supplies, and treatment. The Officer is appointed for a two year term.

The St. Andrews Parks and Playground Commission is a Public Service District formed by the state legislature and is composed of five volunteer citizens that live within the Public Service District. The Commission is appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of Charleston County Council for a term of three years. The duties of the Commission include preparing an annual budget to be approved by Charleston County Council and making and maintaining policy for the Agency. The staff of St. Andrews Parks and Playground report to the Executive Director who in turn reports directly to the Commission.

The St. John's Fire District Commission Board consists of nine members, appointed by the Governor upon recommendation by Charleston County Council, responsible for the oversight of all administrative and operational aspects of the St. John's Fire District special purpose district. The board has the authority to purchase, establish, enlarge, maintain, conduct, and operate the special purpose district as deemed necessary. The board meets to review operational, financial, and administrative activity reports.

The St. Paul's Fire District Commission Board consists of seven members, appointed by the Governor upon recommendation by Charleston County Council, responsible for the oversight of all administrative and operational aspects of the St. Paul's Fire Protection special purpose district. The board has the authority to purchase, establish, enlarge, maintain, conduct, and operate the special purpose district as deemed necessary. The board meets to review operational, financial, and administrative activity reports. The board meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm with special meetings called as necessary.

The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Rural Transportation Management Association plans, develops, and implements a coordinated public and human service transportation service in the rural and under-served areas of Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties. The terms of membership of appointed representatives shall be three (3) years.

The Weed & Trash Abatement Hearing Board is a three member board that is charged by County Council to receive testimony and make written determinations concerning appeals of citizens desiring to contest an abatement order issued by a Charleston County Code Enforcement Officer in compliance with the County's Weed & Trash Abatement Ordinance (#1227). Meetings are scheduled on an as-needed basis. All determinations made by this Board are final unless the decision of the Board is appealed to Council within ten days after service of the Board's decision. Terms of the Weed & Trash Abatement Hearing Board are for three years.

The Charleston County Board of Zoning Appeals consists of nine members appointed by Council. This Board hears and decides appeals where it is alleged there is error in order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an administrative official in the enforcement of the County's zoning ordinance. The Board hears and decides appeals for variance from the requirements of the zoning ordinance when strict application of the ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship. The Board also makes decisions regarding the permitting of uses by special exception subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the County's Zoning Ordinance.

Municipalities

City of Charleston
City of Folly Beach
City of North Charleston
City of Isle of Palms
Town of Awendaw
Town of Hollywood
Town of James Island
Town of Kiawah Island
Town of Lincolnville
Town of McClellanville
Town of Meggett
Town of Mount Pleasant
Town of Ravenel
Town of Rockville
Town of Seabrook Island
Town of Sullivan's Island

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