October 2024

FEATURE

Shelter From the Storm: Counties Share Resources for Hurricane Helene Recovery

Hurricane Helene ripped through the Southeast late last month, leaving devastation and destruction in its wake. Many counties in South Carolina felt the blow as numerous residents were left without power and water, while others were displaced from their homes.


Through it all, counties came together to help one another, lending resources and sending aid. County emergency response teams not only went to work in their own communities, they also lent a hand to their neighbors in need.


Some examples include Horry County government assisting Anderson County with cleanup efforts after the storm, as well as a support team of emergency managers from Charleston, Dorchester and York counties assisting Pickens County with the transition from storm response to storm recovery.


These responses to Hurricane Helene are a perfect example of local leaders showing statewide strength.


SCAC will continue to cover Hurricane Helene relief and recovery efforts in future publications.

Hurricane Helene Recovery Resources

COLLABORATION

SC Coalition for Black County Officials Encourages Good Governance

The South Carolina Coalition of Black County Officials discussed the Freedom of Information Act, ethics and other governance principles at a strategic planning meeting in October.


Attorney Charles Boykin, who facilitated the discussion held at SCAC offices in Columbia, challenged leaders to maintain the spirit of excellence and a high standard of ethics in government.


He encouraged officials to maintain good communications with constituents. He also motivated leaders to support structures and systems that promote good governance.


To learn more about the SC Coalition of Black County Officials or join, please contact President Phillip M Taylor Sr. at (843) 599-1711 or visit www.sccobco.org.

RISK MANAGEMENT

SC Counties Insurance Trusts Offers Risk Management Principles Class

The SC Counties Insurance Trusts will offer a Risk Management Principles (RMP) class Oct. 29-30 at the SCAC office in Columbia. The class is designed to equip employees to make significant contributions to county programs by covering basic concepts of risk management.


Space is limited and priority will be given to those who have never attended an RMP class previously.


Register online no later than Oct. 25


Questions? Contact Tyra Goines at tgoines@scac.sc or 803-252-7904 

AWARDS

Celebrating Innovation and Collaboration at 2024 SCAC Awards Luncheon

This year's J. Mitchell Graham Memorial Award and Barrett Lawrimore Memorial Regional Cooperation Award winners were honored during the SCAC Fall Advocacy Meeting. Thirteen counties were represented by this year's award entries, which highlighted various ways county agencies are working to improve the lives of residents.


The J. Mitchell Graham Award went to Chester County for their "Enhancing Emergency Response" project. Honorable mentions for the award include:

  • Beaufort County (population over 150,000) – Emerging Leaders’ Annual Women’s Conference 
  • Orangeburg County (population between 50,000-150,000) – Beyond Reading and Resources: MUSC and Orangeburg County Library Bring Library Resource Associates to Orangeburg County 
  • Georgetown County (population under 50,000) – Development and Implementation of New Firefighter Ability Test


The Barrett Lawrimore Award went to the coroners from Beaufort and Charleston counties for their efforts in sharing resources and standardizing data.


Honorable mention for this year’s award goes to the “Coastal Area Cooperation Regional Partnership” project, which was a combined effort of Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston and Horry counties. 


More information for all projects submitted for this year's competition can be found at SCCounties.org/awards.

ADVOCACY

Economic Development, Local Connections & Recovery Focus of Fall Advocacy Meeting

County officials came together for advocacy, collaboration, education and celebration during the 2024 SCAC Fall Advocacy Meeting at the Pastides Alumni Center at USC.


This year's event was preceded by the Institute of Government for County Officials and was capped off with a celebration of the incredible work counties do at the first SCAC Awards Luncheon.


Attendees had the opportunity to hear from S.C. Dept. of Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey, who delivered an update on economic development throughout the state. He noted three areas of economic growth in South Carolina: biotechnology, natural resources and advanced energy, noting that the state has made great strides in advanced energy in particular.


"We are positioned to be a global leader in that area in South Carolina," Lightsey said.

This year's meeting also featured panel discussions on the importance of advocacy work as well as the importance of forming strong partnerships between county leaders and state legislators.


"It's all about us working together as a team to benefit our citizens," said Union County Supervisor Phillip Russell, one of four panelists.


Russell was joined by Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright and state Reps. Gilda Cobb-Hunter and Doug Gilliam, who highlighted the importance of good communication between councilmembers and legislators.


Attendees also got an update from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Emily Bentley, chief of recovery and mitigation, shared the agency's ongoing plans to help counties recover from the storm.


"We're working on a housing strategy, and we're looking at that on a county-by-county basis," she said, noting that solutions that work for urban counties might not be effective in rural counties. She added that Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage that will take time to repair.


"It was a severe event, and we're going to be dealing with recovery for a long, long time," Bentley said.


See photos from the 2024 Fall Advocacy Meeting and Institute of Government.

NEWS

Election Officials Are Ready and Resilient

Early voting for the 2024 general election began across South Carolina this week, and we thank all the election workers and volunteers for their tireless work leading up to and during this busy and important season.


Isaac Cramer, executive director of the Charleston County Board of Elections and president of the South Carolina Association of Registration and Election Officials, co-authored this recent commentary in the SC Daily Gazette that explained how our "election officials have risen to meet new challenges by doubling down on professionalization, preparedness and security."

COUNTY SPOTLIGHTS

Horry County Administrator Steve Gosnell Receives Order of the Palmetto

Horry County Administrator Steve Gosnell recently received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, from Gov. Henry McMaster.


The Order of the Palmetto is presented in recognition of a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service and contributions on a national and statewide scale. Gosnell has served Horry County Government for 31 years.


Gosnell was joined by family, friends, local leaders and county staff for a private celebration, and Rep. Kevin Hardee, Sen. Kent Williams and Horry County Chairman Johnny Gardner unveiled and presented the award.


Gosnell plans to retire at the end of 2024. County Council has selected current Assistant County Administrator Barry Spivey to be Gosnell’s successor.

Williamsburg County Detention Center Director Awarded Administrator of the Year

Williamsburg County Detention Center Director Nadia R. Pressley received the Administrator of the Year Award at the S.C. Jail Administrator’s Association Conference.


Pressley, who began work at the detention center in 2005, has been the jail administrator for the past decade. She has multiple state and national law enforcement and corrections certifications and serves as the assistant terminal agency coordinator for the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center.


As a leader, she is committed to the professional growth of the sector. She has been instrumental in developing and implementing groundbreaking detention center programs, including introducing peer support mechanisms for team members navigating critical incidents. Her management has been instrumental in fostering positive relationships among team members and within the larger community.


Pressley’s unwavering dedication has made a rural county detention center into a benchmark for detention facilities across the state. Her exceptional leadership and innovative initiatives have set a new standard in the field.

GRANT CENTRAL STATION

RIA State Grants Deadline Oct. 28

Fall applications for South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) state grants must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28. More than $51 million is available for award in FY25 across two funding rounds, with a maximum grant of $1.5 million for construction projects. More information can be found on the RIA website. RIA grant managers are happy to help with any questions during application preparation.

SRF Loans Offered at 2.3%


The FY25 State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans will be offered at a standard rate of 2.3%, with reduced rates available in some cases. The loan policies for both the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF have been updated and are available on the RIA website.

Visit our Grants page

Fun at the Fair


From Abbeville to York, the 46 County Showcase at the SC State Fair shined a spotlight on what we’ve always known makes the Palmetto State so special—our counties!


SCAC President William Robinson is pictured here with Allendale County's display.

COUNTY EMPLOYMENT

Visit Our County Jobs Page

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