Important FY 2024 Updates | |
The South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate passed versions of the FY 2023-2024 budget that fully fund the Local Government Fund (LGF), according to state statutory formula. The budget bill will go to a conference committee.
View estimated county allocations for FY 2023-2024 for the LGF and Rural County Stabilization Fund.
The US Census Bureau in April released county population estimates from the past fiscal year, one of the components that make up the millage rate increase limitation by state law.
The millage rate increase limitation will be the total of the percentage increase in your county’s population estimate from 2021 to 2022 plus the 8.00 percent CPI.
See County Millage Rate Limitations FY 2024.
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One-stop Shop for Your Funding Searches | |
Want the latest on federal funding opportunities available directly to counties? Check out and bookmark NACo’s Funding Matrix, where you can filter, sort and quickly see deadlines and eligibility requirements.
Energy Efficiency Block Grant: First Deadline June 5
Local governments can now submit concept papers as a first step to apply for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Competitive Program. The deadline for submission to the US Department of Energy is 5 p.m. Monday, June 5.
This flexible competitive grant program includes the opportunity to receive up to $2 million in funds to advance local clean energy goals. Learn more.
July Deadline: Road Safety Improvements
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) posted a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) competitive grant program, which includes $1.18 billion overall. Counties are directly eligible to apply through USDOT until 5 p.m. July 10.
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South Carolina State Ethics Commission Executive Director Meghan Walker offers this tip:
Did you know that you cannot be paid for speaking to a group in your official capacity? Pursuant to Section 8-13-715 of the Ethics Reform Act, individuals under the State Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction, “may not receive anything of value for speaking before a public or private group.”
If you have any questions about this, or any other provision of the Ethics Reform Act, contact the State Ethics Commission at (803) 253-4192.
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Catch Up on the Latest Legislative News | |
The General Assembly is not officially adjourned, but as the session winds down plenty of bills are ready for ratification including one designating coroners as first responders. This is an SCAC policy position, and county coroners testified on the bill throughout the legislative process. The budget, which includes a more than $13 million increase to the Local Government Fund, will go to conference committee. Other bills of interest that recently moved forward to Gov. Henry McMaster include local sales tax for workforce housing, DHEC restructuring and changes to municipal audits.
Catch up on the relevant happenings at the State House with the latest Friday Report.
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Jail Leadership Training Promotes Education, Collaboration | |
The SC Sheriff’s Association and SCAC recently co-sponsored the first of three Jail Leadership training programs. Participants from nine county-run detention centers attended the training held May 11 and 12. They gained understanding of elements of effective jail operations and the value of education and collaboration with stakeholders in the criminal justice system.
The next trainings are August 30 and 31 and November 15 and 16. Registration information will be shared soon.
Risk management training opportunities designed specially for counties are just one of the many tailored benefits members of the SC Counties Insurance Trusts receive.
Learn more.
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Georgetown County Success Story | Georgetown County Emergency Services Director Brandon Ellis, center, accepts the Agency of the Year award, presented by retired County Emergency Manager Sam Hodge, left, and SCEMA President Kristy Burch. | |
Reprinted with permission from The Georgetown County Chronicle
The Georgetown County Emergency Management Division has been named the 2023 Agency of the Year by the South Carolina Emergency Management Association. The surprise announcement was made during the association’s annual conference in Charleston.
Nominees for the award are judged by their emergency management peers and the award is given to the emergency management agency that has made the most significant improvement or difference in their community during the past year in mitigating, responding to or recovering from a disaster.
“I was completely shocked when we were called on stage, but I’m not surprised given the strong team that we have here in Georgetown County,” said Brandon Ellis, Director of Georgetown County Emergency Services, which includes the Emergency Management Division.
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Thank You, County Employees! | County employees are public servants at heart. 🫶 They work daily to make their communities healthier, safer and stronger. We celebrate them every day and especially during May's Public Service Recognition Week. Whether they work in libraries, paving roads, clearing storm drains, dispatching emergency services, or in many other fields, we're grateful for their service. 🙏 Thank you, county employees! #PSRW #LocalLeaders #StatewideStrength 📸 Greenville County Horry County Government | |
SCAC Awards $12,500 in Scholarships | |
SCAC annually awards a total of $12,500 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors who reside in counties chosen by lot. In the 2023 draw Berkeley, Calhoun, Dillon, and Lancaster counties were selected.
SCAC also awards a $2,500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior who resides in the same county as the association’s current president. For 2023, Brookland Cayce High senior Mary Kendall Dickerson was awarded the scholarship in honor of Lexington County Council Member and SCAC President Debra B. Summers.
"These scholarships are another way for SCAC’s Board and the association to give back to the communities we serve,” Summers said. “It is always such an honor to recognize the talented young people in our counites as they prepare for the next steps in exciting futures.”
Meet Dickerson and the other the scholarship winners.
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Florence County Field of Dreams | |
This baseball season, the Miracle League of Florence County welcomed 221 players who get the joy of experiencing America’s pastime thanks to a modified style of baseball on a custom field. The league, which is designed to remove the barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field, began in 2014 with 17 participants.
The league and Florence County have constructed a facility specific to players’ needs and recently have begun the process of building an all-inclusive playground with completion expected by the end of the month.
“This program remains a source of pride for Florence County and has been a blessing to its citizens,” said Florence County Parks and Recreation Director Nathan Dawsey. “Truly a field of dreams for many!”
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View the 2023 SCAC Awards Competition Livestream | |
The J. Mitchell Graham/Barrett Lawrimore Memorial Awards recognize innovative projects completed by South Carolina’s counties during the past fiscal year. Winners represent the best qualities of local governance—attention to details, service to citizens, efficient use of tax dollars, and improvement in the quality of life. They demonstrate how creative problem-solving and collaboration can achieve impressive results, and offer new ideas for other counties to consider. Projects are judged on written entries submitted by the application due date and 10-minute oral presentations before a panel of judges.
The competition will take place on Wednesday, May 24 at the SCETV studios in Columbia. The presentations will be available on the SCAC livestream and on our Facebook page.
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Register for the 2023 Annual Conference & Institute of Government | |
The Association’s 2023 Annual Conference will be held July 31-August 3 at the Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms. The room block at Wild Dunes is full, but there are still plenty of rooms available in the overflow hotels.
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👏 Congratulations, graduates! 👏 In November and December, 14 county officials and employees graduated from @NACoTweets @PDA_Leadership Leadership Academies. For more information on the Academies 🔗 https://bit.ly/NACoHPLA | |
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It's another
#SafetySpotlightSaturday! 💡 The SCAC Insurance Trusts presented 3 awards to @lancastersc_gov: 2nd Runner Up for SCCWCT Lag Time Award, Sustained Excellence in Risk Management Award & a Safety Achievement Award for an active shooter class for cooperating agencies.
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🍎 They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. 🚑 In reality, it's counties making strides in healthcare innovations, addressing worker shortages & improving access to care. 🩺💡 See the proof in SCAC's 2023 Awards Livestream on *Wed, May 24*. 🏆👀🔗 https://www.sccounties.org/livestream | |
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(803) 252-7255
PO Box 8207
Columbia SC 29202-8207
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