February 2024

FEATURE

Safety First: SCAC Recognizes County Achievements in Risk Management

Members of the SC Counties Insurance Trusts met recently to share important information to help mitigate risk in counties across the state and to award those counties that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in safety and risk management.

SCAC recognized 14 counties during this year's Risk Management Awards ceremony, more than any previous year.

Read more about this year's presenters and the achievements of our Risk Management Award winners.

REVENUE AND FINANCE

Inflation Component of FY2024-25 Millage Caps Released

The South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office (RFA) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) that will be used to calculate millage rate increase limitations for fiscal year 2024-25.

Each county's millage rate limitation for FY 2024-25 will be based on the CPI increase from calendar year 2022 to 2023, which was 4.12%, plus any population increase from the previous year.

The U.S. Census Bureau is expected to release the 2023 county population estimates in March, and the RFA plans to publish millage rate limitations for counties following the release of those estimates. SCAC staff will forward that information to county chief administrative officers, finance officers and auditors as soon as it is available.

See the full RFA memo.

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT

Newberry County Celebrates Puzzle Fun with Community Competition

Newberry County Parks and Recreation joined forces with the town of Prosperity and the city of Newberry to offer a fun, engaging activity to the community.

The inaugural Newberry Jigsaw Puzzle Competition was held in late January and featured 13 teams with names like Planet Fit This, World Piece, Edgy Ladies, and Jigsaw Junkies.

Read more about the event here.

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT

Tri-County Meeting Focuses on Collaboration in Rural Areas

Pictured above from left: Bamberg County Council Member and SCAC Board Member Larry Haynes, Barnwell County Council Chairman Jerry Creech, SCAC President and Pickens County Council Vice Chairman Roy Costner, SCAC First Vice President and Allendale County Council Vice Chairman Bill Robinson, Barnwell County Council Member and SCAC Board Member Daniel Alexander, and Allendale County Council Chairman Matthew Connelly. The leaders participated in a tri-county meeting in Barnwell to discuss challenges and collaboration opportunities.

Counties working together to address issues like economic development, quality of life and critical public safety services is vital as our state grows—especially in rural areas. Leaders from Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell counties recently gathered to brainstorm collaborative ways to tackle some of these challenges.  

One result from the meeting was a letter from SCAC President Roy Costner to county council chairs and vice chairs throughout the state expressing support for Bamberg County during its tornado recovery efforts. See more in this recent story from WLTX News-19 Columbia featuring Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston.

GRANT CENTRAL STATION

Rural Project Program Announced

The SC Transportation Infrastructure Bank announced a new Rural Project Program designed to allocate $250 million in financial assistance for eligible projects over 10 years. 

The first application period is March 18 to May 17. There will be a workshop to discuss the application process at 9:30 a.m. March 1 at 955 Park St., Columbia. RSVP by Feb.27 to hoganal@scdot.org.

Read more.

Deadline Approaches for RIA Funds

The deadline to apply for Round 2 of the SC Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA)'s state-funded grants is March 11. RIA staff can provide technical assistance to help communities apply for funding to address critical infrastructure needs. See more details and the full application.

State Highway System Project Planning Tip

All local governments are asked to contact Roxanne Ancheta, SCDOT’s director of grants, at least a month in advance if you are planning to apply for a federal or state grant or earmark for a project on the State Highway System. Ms. Ancheta can be reached at (803) 737-1232 or via email at AnchetaRM@scdot.org.

EVENTS

Countdown to Counties Connect

Today (Feb. 13) is the deadline to register online for next week's Institute of Government for County Officials, Council Chairperson's Workshop and Counties Connect: A Legislative Action Day.

The Institute of Government, Council Chairperson's Workshop and Counties Connect Legislative Reception will be Feb. 20. The daylong Counties Connect: A Legislative Action Day will be Feb. 21 at the Pastides USC Alumni Center and State House.

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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