MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH | | Service Goes Beyond County Duties for Staff Who Also Serve in S.C. State Guard | SCSG 1st Lt. Jessica Varney salutes veterans during the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony. (Photos courtesy of Varney) | |
County leaders and staff serve their communities in various ways, from advocating for residents to keeping people safe and secure. Some staff take their dedication to service beyond their county roles.
This National Military Appreciation Month, we're highlighting county employees who also serve in the South Carolina State Guard (SCSG). The SCSG is an army division under the South Carolina Military Department under the command of Maj. Gen. Leon Lott, who is also Richland County sheriff.
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Since 2015, the SCSG has contributed more than 44,000 hours of service throughout the state, aiding in hurricane recovery, rendering pandemic assistance and providing support with other natural disasters.
County staff throughout the state serve in the SCSG. In addition to Lott, Colleton County Administrator Thomas Higgs serves as a lieutenant colonel; Florence County Voter Registration and Election Director Julian Young, Anderson County Senior Appraiser Michael Todd and Pickens County Clerk to Council Jessica Varney serve as first lieutenants; and Pickens County Administrator Ken Roper serves as a second lieutenant.
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"Serving in the S.C. State Guard has given me opportunities to serve in both extraordinary and everyday moments. From supporting the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston County to assisting in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Spartanburg County, each mission I've been part of has deepened my commitment to public service," Varney said. "Saluting veterans during the local Wreaths Across America ceremony and serving my own county during the Table Rock Complex Fire were two of the most meaningful moments of my service. It is truly an honor to serve in this capacity."
SCSG 1st Lt. Jessica Varney (left) also serves her community as Pickens County clerk to council. SCSG 2nd Lt. Ken Roper (right), who is the administrator for Pickens County, is approaching his one-year anniversary with the Guard.
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Roper, who is approaching his first anniversary serving with the SCSG, said the Guard's assistance with containing the Table Rock Complex Fire in 2025 inspired him to get involved.
"The SCSG service during the Table Rock Complex fire was essential to Pickens County's successful coordinated response," Roper said. "The professionalism and humble service of the Guard during the fire was a huge motivation to me in joining."
| | Applicatons Opens for 2026 SCAC Awards | |
Now is the time to think about those innovative projects that have made a difference in your county during the past two fiscal years!
The 2026 J. Mitchell Graham Memorial Award and Barrett Lawrimore Memorial Regional Cooperation Award are now accepting applications. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 10. All applications must be submitted online at sccounties.org/awards.
The J. Mitchell Graham Memorial Award recognizes counties that address community challenges, implement operational improvements or enhance their residents' quality of life in a unique way.
The Barrett Lawrimore Memorial Regional Cooperation Award highlights the growing need for regional partnerships, strategies and solutions. Competition for this award is open to two or more political subdivisions (counties, cities, districts or councils of government) that worked together on a project. While agencies, nonprofits or private companies may be partners, these entities should not be the primary or the only partner in the Regional Cooperation competition.
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Deadlines & Timeline
Monday, Aug. 10
Deadline to submit applications.
Thursday, Sept. 10
Applicants who meet the submission deadline and all requirements will be scheduled to present their projects in person at SCETV in Columbia.
The competition will be judged on the written submissions, which will be reviewed by the judges before the competition, as well as the oral presentations.
Tuesday, Oct.. 27
The awards announcement and recognition will take place during the SCAC Awards Luncheon at the 2026 Fall Advocacy Meeting in Columbia.
More Information
The SCAC Awards webpage includes a toolkit, frequently asked questions, a library of past presentations and winning applications, as well as more resources to help entrants prepare and submit their projects.
If you have any questions about the awards program, contact Susan Turkopuls at sturkopuls@scac.sc or 803-252-7255 ext. 115.
| 13 Students Awarded 2026 SCAC Scholarships | |
SCAC has awarded 12 Board of Directors Scholarships and one Presidential Scholarship to graduating high school seniors in counties throughout the state.
The SCAC Scholarship Program includes the Presidential Scholarship, awarded to a student from the home county of the Association’s current president, and 12 Board of Directors scholarships, awarded to students from different counties chosen in rotation. Each scholarship is a one-time, $5,000 award.
SCAC President Mary D. Anderson hails from Chesterfield County, and the other 12 scholarships were designated for students from Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Colleton, Darlington, Dorchester, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Jasper, Marlboro and McCormick counties.
“At SCAC, we believe education is an investment in the future of the counties we serve,” Anderson said. “We are honored to celebrate 13 outstanding students from across the state whose academic excellence and dedication to their communities set them apart. These young people represent the next generation of leaders, and we are proud to support their continued success.”
See the full list of the 2026 scholarship recipients on the SCAC website.
| Legislative Update: Session Wraps Up and Starts Again | |
The second week in May usually marks the end of the legislative season in South Carolina. While state lawmakers adjourned the regular session May 14, it’s not over.
Gov. Henry McMaster called the General Assembly back into session May 15, and the House is currently discussing congressional redistricting.
In the coming weeks, both chambers also will meet for conference committees on the state budget and numerous other bills.
SCAC policy positions are in the following bills that passed both chambers:
SCAC policy positions are in the following bills in conference committees:
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The state budget includes increased allocations to the Local Government Fund, increased funding to county libraries and funding for affordable housing.
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The Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction Act would make it a misdemeanor offense to obstruct a first responder or emergency medical care provider performing their official duties.
Note, the extra session means any bills can be debated in either chamber until November.
Check out the most recent Friday Report and subscribe to stay updated on all the extra session’s action at sccounties.org/friday-reports.
| SCDNR Offers Tools for Growth Planning | |
As part of the Governor’s Conservation Plan, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is implementing an Urban Outreach Initiative to assist county and municipal governments with land use planning, providing resources and expertise as needed.
SCDNR has mapping applications, decision support tools, and other resources that can help local governments make informed, smart growth decisions to benefit their residents and the natural resources in their jurisdictions.
Contact Anna Huckabee Smith, director of Conservation Grants and Strategic Outreach, at smithah@dnr.sc.gov.
Read more in the State Wildlife Action Plan.
| Housing Assistance Available in 15 Counties Impacted by Hurricane Helene | |
The South Carolina Office of Resilience is using federal Disaster Recovery funds to repair, replace or rebuild homes damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Helene.
Eligible applicants may receive housing assistance at no cost, including owners of single-family homes or single-family rental units.
The application period is currently open to residents of Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Cherokee, Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg and Union counties.
More information is available on the Office of Resilience storm recovery webpage or by calling 844-410-8560 or emailing contact@scstormrecovery.com.
| | SC Commerce To Host Opportunity Zone Webinar | |
The South Carolina Department of Commerce (SC Commerce) will host a webinar at 10 a.m. May 21 on the updated Opportunity Zone program and the nomination process ahead of upcoming deadlines for submitting recommended tracts.
The deadline to submit recommended tracts to SC Commerce has been extended to Monday, June 15.
The Opportunity Zone program was made permanent last summer and authorizes governors to nominate up to 25% of their state’s eligible census tracts for designation as Opportunity Zones. Once designated, the tracts can receive tax-advantaged private investment through Qualified Opportunity Funds.
Learn more on SC Commerce’s opportunity zone webpage.
| Register for SCAC Planning & Zoning webinar | |
Join SCAC as we explore evidentiary hearings related to the planning and zoning appeals and denials process in a June 11 webinar. Attorneys John DeLoache of SCAC and Ginny Merck-Dupont of Lancaster County will help planning and zoning board members and commissioners better understand the legalities of evidentiary hearings to ensure a fair and appropriate process for all involved.
Registration is free, and participation will satisfy 1.5 hours* of continuing education requirements for planning and zoning officials governed by the South Carolina Planning Education Advisory Committee (SCPEAC). On completion of the webinar, participants will receive a certificate of attendance via the email used for registration.
Another 1.5-hour webinar will be offered this fall, which taken in combination with the June 11 webinar, will satisfy the full 3-hour continuing education annual requirement for planning and zoning officials governed by SCPEAC.
Register for the webinar today! For more information about the webinar or SCAC's planning and zoning continuing education program, contact Alicia Entzminger at aentzminger@scac.sc or 803-252-725 ext. 135.
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⭐ Safety Spotlight Saturday ⭐
Big applause for Berkeley County! 👏 They brought home two major risk management awards from the SC Counties Insurance Trusts. 🏆🏆
🚗 Berkeley County won an Outstanding Safety Achievement Award by analyzing motor vehicle incidents and rolling out enhanced dashboard cameras (driver‑ and forward‑facing) plus additional spotters, meaning fewer preventable accidents, better protection for employees, and smart savings for taxpayers.
👷♂️Safety Superintendent Brandon Peters was also recognized for helping other counties strengthen their risk management programs. By sharing expertise on the Federal Motor Carrier Act, safety programs and OSHA reporting best practices, Brandon is helping raise the safety bar statewide.
Congrats to Berkeley County and Brandon on these outstanding achievements! 🎉👏
#SafetySpotlight #RiskManagement #LocalLeaders
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In recognition of #NationalCountyGovern-mentMonth, we’re celebrating the county officials and employees across South Carolina who go beyond service to educate residents about local government and civic engagement. Programs like citizen academies play a vital role in building understanding, trust and participation, and Lancaster and Richland counties offer examples of this impact in action.
At last year’s SCAC Annual Conference, we were proud to spotlight these successful programs, creating space to share ideas in civic education and community engagement. To all county professionals who dedicate their time to educating their communities about the government closest to the people: Thank you for the work you do every day.
📸 Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and Lancaster County Deputy County Administrator Stephany Snowden present on the power of citizen academies at the 2025 SCAC Annual Conference.
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Congratulations to Logan Sumner, a senior at Cherokee County High School and a recipient of a 2026 SCAC Board of Directors Scholarship! She plans to study business and political science at Clemson University.
Logan ranked first in her class, was captain of the varsity golf team and served as both the yearbook editor and secretary for student government. Shout out to Logan on her academic and extracurricular successes!
Logan and students like her are the exciting future of Cherokee County and our state!
#LocalLeaders #StatewideStrength
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PO Box 8207
Columbia SC 29202-8207
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