October 2023

NEWS

Fall Advocacy Meeting Highlights Power of Relationships, Collaboration

Working together to address concerns of constituents through open communication and collaboration was the key message from county leaders and legislators during the Fall Advocacy Meeting on October 19 in Columbia.

“Our delegation and council are all pulling the same rope together,” said Dorchester County Council Chairman Todd Friddle during a panel discussion about building successful partnerships with legislators.

Added Rep. Chris Murphy of District 98, which includes Dorchester County: “Y’all are on the frontline of constituent services.”

Friddle, Murphy, Sen. Mike Gambrell of District 4 (Abbeville, Anderson and Greenwood counties), Abbeville County Director David Garner and Dorchester County Administrator Jason Ward shared how they have forged successful relationships to benefit their counties.

“The key to what we do is listen,” Gambrell said. “Good things happen when everybody pulls in the same direction."

The Fall Advocacy Meeting also included an economic update by SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office Executive Director Frank Rainwater. An important part of SCAC’s annual legislative policy development process, the event closed with the Policy Steering Committees’ report presentations to county officials.

Catch up with presentations and reports on our website. 

CYBERSECURITY

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October 2023 marks 20 years of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Thomas Scott, executive director of CyberSC, reflected on the observance and current

landscape of cybersecurity in an article that was published in the recent County Focus magazine.

"As we celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it's clear that the challenges posed by cyber threats are ever-present. However, through a combination of education, collaboration, and technological innovation, your county can stand strong and resilient in the face of these challenges."

For initiatives your county should be working toward, read more in the full article.

NACo Training Opportunity

The National Association of Counties Cybersecurity Leadership Academy is a 12-week virtual course with the latest insights from industry experts and current chief information officers and chief information security officers in the field. It offers the the opportunity to network with cybersecurity professionals across the nation and coaches participants on what it means to think and act as a cybersecurity leader.

Throughout October, NACo is extending an Academy buy one, get one offer to every county. Your county’s first participant can join for $1,995, and a second participant can join for free. The next session kicks off January 8.

Learn more naco.org/cyberskills or reach out to our Academy contact, Luke Afeman to claim your BOGO.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

SC Local Government Attorneys' Institute Returns Next Month

First Amendment auditors, the latest on procurement law and federal and state caselaw updates will be covered at the November 17 SC Local Government Attorney’s Institute.

The SCAC-sponsored continuing legal education event, one of the largest seminars for public sector attorneys in the state, will be in-person at the USC Alumni Center. It is expected to be approved for 6.0 hours of MCLE, including one hour for Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility (LEPR) and one hour for Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SA/MH).

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Planning & Zoning Webinar Focuses on Public Meetings, Workforce Housing

SCAC is pleased to offer a planning and zoning webinar on Monday, November 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

During this webinar, planning and zoning officials will:

• learn about legal considerations for public meetings and administrative hearings; and
• hear from workforce housing experts on local government initiatives, private development projects, and the impact of recent legislation on funding for workforce housing (Act 57).

The webinar will be divided into two parts, with a 10-minute break, and it satisfies three hours of annual continuing education training for planning and zoning officials.

GRANT CENTRAL STATION

October's One-Stop Funding Spot

Research, Collaboration and Innovation for Resilience

Center of Resilience Excellence (CORE) SC will accept letters of interest in October and proposals in November for the next round of funding for the Advanced Research Grant (Up to $50,000) and the Advanced Collaboration Projects Grant (Up to $100,000).

Learn more at coresc.net/grants.

Energy Efficiency Project Opportunity

The South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff – Energy Office (SCEO), through the US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program will award subgrants to projects and programs in South Carolina that improve energy efficiency, cut carbon emissions, and reduce energy use. 

County and municipal governments may apply for these subgrants if they were not eligible to receive EECBG funding directly from the Department of Energy.

SCEO plans to award between 20 and 30 subgrants ranging from $50,000 to $75,000 each.

Learn more on SCEO's block grant page.

SC Broadband Office Seeks Insight for Grant Proposal

The SC Broadband Office needs your county's help as it prepares a grant proposal for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) federal funding for the state.

To qualify for this funding next year, the SC Broadband Office must have the location and other requested data for your county by October 31, which is extended from the orginial October 4 deadline.

See SC Broadband Office’s memo and spreadsheets, and more information on SCAC’s website.

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT

Cornerstone for Future Growth: Greenville County Opens New Headquarters

Standing on the skywalk watching citizens glide through the breeze way to their easily accessible destination, Greenville County Council Chairman Dan Tripp absorbed all that was around him.

“There is not another county government building in the nation that looks like this,” he says.

The new Greenville County Administration building is 250,000 square feet of “openness.” Its unique steel and glass design is intended to be reflective of the transparency of government.

“It’s a one-of-a-kind building,” says Councilman Butch Kirven. “It symbolizes the spirit of residents of Greenville County.”

Designed by the world-renowned architects at Foster +Partners, the building is a landmark that will serve generations of residents.

Take a look inside Greenville County's new headquarters in this excerpt from a feature story in the fall 2023 edition of County Focus magazine.

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT

Richland County Employees to Benefit from New Paid Parental Leave Policy

Richland County Council this month approved a paid parental leave policy for all full-time and part-time employees. The new policy will take effect Jan. 1, 2024, making Richland one of the first counties in the state to adopt one.

Approval of the paid parental leave policy aligns with Richland County’s strategic plan to establish operational excellence and maintain a highly inclusive work culture with an equity-based experience for all. Eligible staff will receive:

• Six weeks of paid leave for both parents and co-parents
• Paid leave for parents experiencing the placement of a foster child 12 months or younger
• Paid leave for employees who experience a stillbirth

“We should be extremely proud of Richland County and this Council for supporting our employees in making paid parental leave a reality,” said Vice Chairwoman Jesica Mackey.

RISK MANAGEMENT & INSURANCE

Award Applications Now Open

Applications are now open for the Risk Management Awards, which recognize counties in the SC Counties Insurance Trusts who have made significant achievements in their risk management and safety programs in the past year.

Risk managers are encouraged to seek input from all departments when submitting award applications for the following awards:

• Most Improved County
• Outstanding Safety Achievement
• Service
• Sustained Excellence in Risk Management

Applications are due to Van Henson at SCAC by November 30.

Read more information and download applications online.

UPCOMING EVENT

Gear Up for Greenville

Mark your calendars for the 2023 SCAC Legislative Conference held November 30-December 1 in Greenville. The Legislative Committee will review the final policy recommendations of the 2023 Steering Committees. The adopted positions will become the official policy positions of the Association for the upcoming legislative session.

See the agenda, find hotel information and register online. 

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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