April 2024

PUBLICATIONS

Latest Wage and Salary Report Available

Find comprehensive survey results covering 203 positions in county government in SCAC's FY 2024 Wage and Salary Report. Sorted by population groups and job titles, this report is a guide to understanding employment trends in local government.

What's Inside:

• Detailed breakdowns of pay ranges for each county;
• Full and part-time employment figures;
• General fund budget and payroll totals; and
• A list of paid holidays observed by each county.

Thank you to the hardworking staff in each participating county's human resources office! Your invaluable assistance made this report possible.

Access the FY 2024 Wage and Salary Report and the related searchable database.

BUDGET & FINANCE

Millage Rate Increase Limitations for Upcoming Fiscal Year Released

The S.C. Office of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs has released county millage rate increase limitations for FY 2024-25.

The millage rate increase limitation for FY 2024-25 will be the total of the percentage increase in your county’s population estimate from 2022 to 2023 plus the 4.12% consumer price index. For purposes of the millage cap, if your population decreased, you are deemed to have "zero" population growth for FY 2024-25.

Read more.

COUNTY SPOTLIGHTS: FIRE RESCUE

Horry County Fire Rescue recently cut the ribbon on two new fire stations. Station 12 in Longs will serve the Nixonville/Wampee area, and Station 14 in Conway will serve the Shell community. The total cost of both building projects was $7.9 million.

See more photos from the grand opening of the fire stations.

Dorchester County Fire Rescue Again Earns Community Fire Safety Award

Dorchester County Fire Rescue continues to demonstrate a dedication to keeping communities safe with its fifth consecutive Fire Safe South Carolina (FSSC) Community Designation Award.

Each year, FSSC and its partners recognize fire departments throughout the state for their active participation in developing community risk reduction plans and reducing fire-related injuries.

"I'm very proud of our team for earning this designation once again. It reflects our ongoing dedication to ensuring the safety of both our citizens and our firefighters through rigorous training and effective fire safety messaging," said Dorchester County Fire Rescue Chief Tres Atkinson.

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT

Beaufort County Elections Director Wins Moore Award for Service

Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections Director Marie Smalls has been recognized for her commitment to ensuring the integrity of elections in the county.

Smalls was given the Moore Award for her years of service and dedication to election integrity and the implementation of upgraded electronic voting programs. The award also acknowledges her efforts to ensure voters and candidates can be confident the election process is efficient, accurate and accountable.

The Moore Award, established in memory of Betty Moore and modeled after the SCAC J. Mitchell Graham Memorial Award, is presented to a member of the South Carolina Association of Registration and Election Officials who best exemplifies the spirit of the organization though their continued unselfish giving of time and efforts to promote training and foster education and interest in the elections process.

GRANT CENTRAL STATION

SCDOT Accepting Letters of Intent

The first round of funding for the 2024 South Carolina Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) opened this month.

The S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is now accepting letters of intent for the program that supports a variety of non-motorized transportation projects. The deadline is 4 p.m. May 3.

Find the letter of intent form, view a recording of the March workshop and get more information via SCDOT’s TAP page. 

If you have questions about the program or your proposed project—especially if it exceeds $1 million—contact SCDOT TAP Program Manager Amy Blinson at (803) 737-1952.

FEMA Offers Webinar Series April 17 & 18

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Grant Programs Directorate is hosting a FY 2024 National Priority Area (NPA) Webinar Series on April 17 and 18. The sessions will provide an overview and discussion of the Enhancing Cybersecurity and Enhancing the Protection of Soft Targets and Crowded Places NPAs for State Administrative Agencies, Urban Area Working Groups, and transportation infrastructure security stakeholders.

Learn more and register online.

LAND USE & NATURAL RESOURCES

A Message from DHEC: Environmental Programs Transition

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) recently shared a message regarding changes to take effect July 1 and specifics on the new South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES).

SCDES will continue to deliver core environmental programs in Air Quality, Coastal Management, Land & Waste Management, Water, and Regional & Laboratory Services. After July, it also will take over hydrology and aquatic nuisance species from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. In addition:

• Existing permits will remain in effect after July 1, 2024.
• Contacts with the agency will remain the same.
• Current emails and phone numbers will continue to work during the transition.

Read more.

EVENTS

2024 Annual Conference

The South Carolina Association of Counties will host the Annual Conference and Institute of Government at Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms from July 29-31.

The Wild Dunes Resort room block is currently sold out. Join the waitlist. We highly recommend you book accommodations at one of the overflow properties or elsewhere just in case we are not able to get you into the block at Wild Dunes Resort.

ADVOCACY

Legislative Look In

The 2024 session of the South Carolina General Assembly reached the crossover deadline last week, which offers a good opportunity to update you on status of SCAC’s advocacy work on policy positions this far. 

The state budget passed the House and Senate Finance Committee and included increased funding to the Local Government Fund (LGF) by more than $13.8 million statewide, representing full funding to the LGF under statutory formula.

• See the updated LGF County Allocation Estimates Chart and Rural County Stabilization Fund Estimates Chart.

• Read more about bills addressing policy positions that have been enrolled for ratification or passed a chamber.

• Stay updated on the latest legislative happenings in the Friday Report.

Thank you to all the county officials who responded to calls to action, contacted legislators and testified at hearings so far this session.

COUNTY EMPLOYMENT

Are you looking for employment? Counties are hiring! Visit our County Jobs page to see open positions throughout the state.

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