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Phone numbers:(843) 719-4234 (Moncks Corner)(843) 723-3800 ext. 4234 (Charleston)(843) 567-3136 ext. 4234 (St. Stephen)Office Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PMMonday through FridayLocation/s:1003 Highway 52Moncks Corner, SC 29461 303 North Goose Creek BlvdGoose Creek, SC Mailing address:P.O. Box 6122Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Supervisor's Blog
07/15/2011
As you may already know, County Council has approved our 2011-2012 budget. I’m very pleased to say that we once again passed a balance budget without the use of reserve funds! Developing this year’s budget was especially challenging because of increased Legislative Mandates. In other words, in addition to our normal operating budget, Berkeley County (along with every county South Carolina) is mandated by state law to provide a certain amount of funding to various areas and programs including:
In most cases, the funding we must provide is based on Census numbers. According to the 2010 Census, the Berkeley County has increased in population by 24.7%, thus forcing us to adhere to additional mandated funding requirements for the next 10 years. This means we now must provide even more funding to the programs and areas listed above.
As we work to adjust to these new requirements, I want to recognize and thank all of our hard working employees. I have reassured employees that I am not recommending any employee layoffs or furloughs. I am also working hard to ensure we experience no cuts in essential services. Despite these new mandates, I can assure you that the dedicated employees of Berkeley County will continue to provide you, our valued citizens, with a high level and quality of services. If you have any questions, or would like to see the final copy of the Berkeley County budget, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
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03/31/2011
I was excited to be part of the dedication ceremony for the Lowcountry’s very FIRST Green Power Generating Station. Berkeley County Water & Sanitation has teamed up with Santee Cooper to develop a green power generation process at our landfill. We are essentially capturing the methane gas emitted by decomposing trash and converting it into usable power!
Methane gas has a foul odor and is not environmentally friendly. Unfortunately, methane gas is emitted from all landfill’s because it naturally occurs as trash decomposes. However, Berkeley County now has 60 wells capturing the methane gas from our landfill. We pipe the gas from these wells to Santee Cooper's new Berkeley Green Power Generating Station.
The methane gas is then used to generate up to 3 MWs of electricity at a constant rate for as long as the generator is running. This is enough electricity to power 1,500 average-sized homes in the Southeast! So, the next time you take out your household trash, just think about how your old candy wrappers and food scraps will soon be converted into electricity which may very well provide power for your own home!
01/28/2011
The results of our 2010 audit came in last week and we earned the best possible “report card” a county can receive. Words cannot express just how proud and pleased I am with all of the employees of Berkeley County. Their spirit of solidarity and teamwork has once again paid off for the taxpayers of Berkeley County.
We undergo an audit every year by an independent auditing firm who examines all income and every expenditure we incur. The state of South Carolina requires all counties to undergo this process once a year. The audit report is then made public.
In general, our revenues increased by 4.8 % and our expenditures decreased by 3%. This is quite an accomplishment given the current economy. We were also in compliance with our federal fund expenditures. This is money we receive from the federal government through grants. The federal government places strict requirements on how these funds are to be spent, and we met all of their criteria.
Great work by Berkeley Water & Sanitation. They met their 2010 bond requirements, allowing them to remain in good standing. And, our Solid Waste Department decreased their repair and maintenance spending by $674,000! This is attributed to our newer equipment and assets requiring less repairs and maintenance.
One of the biggest highlights is that we have met our 2010 fund balance goal! In 2007, County Council set a goal to reach a fund balance (essentially a "savings account") totaling 15% of the budgeted expenditures. This would enable Berkeley County to have two months of operating expenses on hand so we could fully function during emergencies such as natural disasters or a national crisis. We were able to reach this goal by examining our expenditures and looking at more cost-efficient ways operate in certain areas. This resulted in a cost savings which allowed us to build this “rainy day” fund. Having such a fund is a common practice among County governments. Now that we have met our goal, the auditors tell us that our healthy fund balance increases our potential for a stronger bond rating. And, strong bond ratings translate into lower interest rates.
I want to thank the citizens of Berkeley County for all of your sincere, heartfelt sentiments you’ve taken time to express to me over the past few months in support of our efforts to be good stewards with your tax dollars. Your support means so much. I promise to keep working hard for you.
The full audit presentation is available by clicking here.
01/18/2011
I’ve really been enjoying the new Supervisor on Site (SOS) program, which debuted in August. Each month, I spend an entire day working in a different County department. I recently worked in EMS and at the Berkeley County Landfill. Not only did I enjoy meeting our incredible employees, but I gained a better understanding of just what it takes to make those departments operate successfully.
I was drained after my day with EMS. I watched the employees of this department respond to continuous emergencies, one after another. They spent the little bit of time they had in between calls sanitizing, re-stocking and preparing their rig for its next transport. I stood in awe as the team worked tirelessly on a gentleman who displayed no signs of life. Despite that fact, our EMS crew never gave up. They continued performing CPR and other lifesaving measures all the way to the hospital, even assisting the emergency room doctors and nurses as they made a final attempt to revive the patient. I emerged from the day with a greater appreciation of both the physical and emotional demands of their jobs. I admire and am extremely proud of each and every person who serves in our EMS department.
The Berkeley County Landfill is quite a sophisticated operation. I spent part of the morning at the scale house. I was impressed with how our scale house operator interacted with our customers. And, he knew everyone by name and seemed to have established a personal rapport with each person. Next, I moved to “Mount Trashmore.” They run an efficient and effective operation. First, we conducted a “load screen” to ensure there were no hazardous materials. Next, I operated some of the heavy machinery, including a heavy duty trash compactor. Our heavy machine operators do an outstanding job of managing the “trash flow” and continuous stream of trucks empting their loads. I then spent the afternoon riding with our Water & Sanitation Code Enforcement officers. They have the not so pleasant job of making sure the local codes are followed for the safety and betterment of our communities. They performed their duties in a very professional and respectful manner. Once again, I ended the day very proud of our employees!
My next stop was Roads and Bridges. I will write more about that in a future blog. If you thought you saw me in a hard hat re-paving a road near you recently, it may indeed have been me.
01/13/2011
As I reflect on the blessings of 2010, I would like to send a sincere THANK YOU to each and every citizen who supported me in my re-election. I am honored to serve you and want you to know just how much I value and cherish your trust in my leadership. I am also so very blessed to work with such an outstanding and dedicated staff here at Berkeley County. Our employees are the true backbone of our County. And, since beginning the new Supervisor On Site (SOS) program, I have gained an even greater appreciation for all of the hard work and efforts of our employees.
While our country is still facing economic challenges, things are looking up. Berkeley County is fortunate because we are continuing to attract new jobs and industries. We are hoping for some exciting economic development announcements in 2011. Berkeley County will also continue to improve communication with our citizens. In fact, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to click here to sign up for our e-mail list to receive all the latest county information and press releases. And, we will continue our ongoing efforts to reduce the County’s reliance on debt.
I want to thank the entire staff at Berkeley County. They work very hard to deliver efficient and effective County services. And, in 2011, we will explore even more new ways to provide even more services to you, our valued citizens.
I want to again thank you for the privilege of serving you. From my family to yours, I want to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous 2011!
As you may already know, the new SOS (Supervisor on Site) program launched in August. This program gives me the opportunity to not only visit a different County department each month, but I am actually able to work alongside the employees to gain a better understanding of what their jobs entail. In August, I spent the day working in the Berkeley County Library System. Wow…what an amazing experience! Library Director Donna Osborne assigned me duties at both the Library Administration offices and various branches. The hardworking employees in our Library System really do an outstanding job of not only ensuring library shelves are stocked with the most highly demanded materials, but they also offer a wealth of information and assistance to the community. I was pleasantly surprised and amazed at just how much foot traffic our libraries experience in a single day. I was especially busy at Goose Creek – our largest branch which experiences a steady flow of customers. I enjoyed conducting “storytime” at the Moncks Corner branch with a class from the Sunshine House daycare. I worked at the Daniel Island branch while the they were packed with young students who come there after school. The staff at the Sangaree branch were kind enough to demonstrate how to most effectively help someone conduct research. I’m still amazed at just how much technology has enhanced the resources available at our libraries over the past several years!
I applaud the hard work of all our library staff. Thanks to everyone who took time to allow me to work alongside of them. If you haven’t visited a library lately, I strongly encourage you to do so. From computer access to DVD movies, our libraries offer something for everyone in a safe, friendly environment. All in all, it truly was an incredible day!
I'm excited to report that Berkeley County has secured a low-interest bond to begin road improvements! When voters approved the one-cent sales tax for the roads, they also approved the County taking out up to $150 million in bonds to begin work. Although we could have taken the full amount, we've decided to only take out what we need for road improvement/expansions slated now. This, coupled the low interest rate, will save taxpayers a significant amount of money in both the short and long term.
You will soon begin seeing signs, "Your One Cent Tax Is Building This Road" appearing along the roads which we will begin improving. We also invite you to come out to the official groundbreaking celebration of the long awaited Highway 17-A road improvements on Wednesday, May 5th at 10:00am, to Calvary Baptist Church on 1555 S. Live Oak Drive in Moncks Corner.
03/19/2010
I'm very pleased to report the most recent economic development numbers as given to me by the South Carolina Department of Commerce. These numbers prove that despite the challenging economy, Berkeley County is very blessed and continues to grow!
(Source: South Carolina Department of Commerce, March 2010)
I would like to extend a special THANK YOU to all of the companies who have put their faith in our County and our people. And, I want to commend our economic development team for their tireless efforts. Thanks to their hard work, we also have a number of additional companies considering either expanding or making Berkeley County their future home.
Folks, our country still faces tough economic times. I promise to continue working toward bringing additional jobs and resources to our County. As always, my door is open to you. We will weather this economic storm together.
12/31/2009
I would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! Boy, how time does fly. Can you believe it's already Census time again? Berkeley County has information about the Census and a link to the United States Census 2010 on our Home Page to help you better understand it's purpose and familiarize you with the process. I want to emphasize just how important it is for you to answer the 10 short questions which will be mailed to you in March along with a postage-paid return envelope. The form is quick and very easy.
The federal government disperses funds for a number of local projects based on how many citizens reside in our county. If you don't return the form, you may receive a personal visit from a census taker. The government cannot move forward with certain programs and initiatives until everyone in the United States is counted. Census information affects everything from the number of seats we have in U.S. House of Representatives to which new industries may consider relocating to our area.
Should you have any further questions, please refer to the Census 2010 website . Thank you. This is going to be an incredible year for Berkeley County and I look forward to serving you in 2010!
12/03/2009
It's become a tradition during each Christmas season for my family members to come together and reflect on the blessings we've celebrated over the past year. As I reflect on my blessings, I realize just how thankful I am to be living in such a great county, surrounded by wonderful citizens and extraordinary colleagues.
This year in particular, we in Berkeley County all have much to be thankful for. It truly is a blessing for us to be able to look back and realize that during the worst economic time our country has experienced probably since the Great depression, we still have new job opportunities, road improvements and industrial development on the horizon.
One important aspect I've noticed about Berkeley County is that our citizens always rise to the call. Throughout history, the people of Berkeley County have always come together as one during difficult times. During this holiday season, I especially want to thank all of the individuals here at Berkeley County Government who work hard every day to help ensure that the well-being of our residents are met in a professional and proficient manner. I also want to thank the countless volunteers who have donated their time to serve on our commissions and boards and throughout the community to help Berkeley County not only weather this tough economic storm, but continue to be a leader in our state. Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank you . . . our citizens. YOU are the ones who have been so supportive of the new ideas and plans which have kept our county on the road to prosperity. YOU are the ones we will be reading about in tomorrow's history books. And, when all is said and done, YOU are what makes us the great county we are today.
So, whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukah or something else during this season, my family and I would like to wish you the richest of blessings during this holiday season!
As always, I welcome your thoughts and input!
10/2/2009
I am proud to announce that we have selected five fine, highly qualified engineering firms to begin designing and overseeing the new road projects slated for expansion/improvement through one-cent sales tax revenue that you, Berkeley County citizens and voters, approved in November. This is exciting and long overdue news for Berkeley County. Not only are we going to begin to see much needed road improvements, but the multiple projects will literally put hundreds of people to work! Additionally, we are in the process of accepting a bid for the expansion of Highway 17A. Making Highway 17A safer was another one of my priorities when I took office. Approximately 17 deaths have occurred on Highway 17A over the past 5 years. Fifteen of those took place on the portion slated for expansion. There is also an increasing number of school buses carrying children along that road. Believe it or not, this initiative was first introduced nearly 40 years ago when former Senator Bobby Helmly was Mayor of Moncks Corner. The fact that this is finally coming to fruition is truly a milestone!
As we begin work on the projects, we will be updating progress on our website. You will also see road signs thanking our citizens, taxpayers and voters along the highways slated for improvement.
I would like to personally thank you, the voters and taxpayers, for choosing to help make our roads safer and less congested. History tells us that road expansions such as the ones slated, not only help an area attract new industries, thus creating more jobs, but also help increase property values. You agreed that "One Cent . . . Makes Sense". We pledge to make sure everyone reaps the benefits.
9/2/2009
A strategic plan provides a roadmap for the future. I believe there is always room for improvement. Improvement comes from good planning. This applies especially to the way our County Government runs as well as the services we provide to our citizens. For many months, we have been working hard to better define the County's vision and mission by drafting an outline for a formal Strategic Plan. Our Strategic Plan will be the new foundation of our citizen-focused, results-oriented government. This plan provides guidance and direction as we allocate resources to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of quality services to our citizens.
To our knowledge, this is the first time Berkeley County has had formal Vision and Mission statements. I am excited to share both of these with you:
Vision
A county where all citizens can participate in and enjoy a community enriched by sustainable growth, responsible and responsive government, environmental stewardship, cultural opportunities, and diversity.
Mission
All members of Berkeley County Government, as responsible stewards of the County's resources, are dedicated to facilitating the efficient, effective and safe delivery of public services, while remaining accountable to the citizens. Our citizens and community shall continue to be the beneficiaries of our leadership, teamwork, and vision.
We have also investigated seven areas we deem critical to the success of our internal and external strength as a governmental body. We will be working hard to define the purpose, strategies and goals of each. These areas include Communications, Community Services, Economic Development, Finance and Resources, Human Resources, Operations and Planning and Growth.
I believe these efforts will not only strengthen our mission, but will also help define the areas which need more work. The initial plan will be available online in September. I would like to know which of the goals identified in the vision are most important to you (sustainable growth, responsible and responsive government, environmental stewardship, cultural opportunities, diversity).
Strategic plan web site
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