Your County. Your News.
A Message from the County Administrator
Dorchester County is building parks, improving roads, investing in new infrastructure to serve our citizens, to support our businesses and industry, and to attract new ones. Team Dorchester County is on the job 365 days a year to make our community a better place to live. In addition to the County’s ongoing response to COVID-19, many projects continue and new programs are being launched to make it easier for you to “Do More Dorchester.” We are excited to feature our projects, our programs and our people. This is “Your News” about “Your County.”
Jason L. Ward, County Administrator
Dorchester County's Response to COVID-19
Dorchester County has been responding to the COVID-19 outbreak since early March. The response to a public health emergency is much different from a natural disaster. The County used it’s existing emergency organizational structure to form a coordination group dedicated to the response mission. This group includes Administration, Public Information, Legal, Public Safety, Human Resources, and Risk Management. The coordination group has helped steer the County’s response to COVID-19 by developing mitigation strategies, policy and protocol, and public messaging. Read More
Emergency Alerts
Dorchester County is in the process of implementing a new alert notification system called Everbridge. In the coming weeks, the County will be encouraging the public to register for alert notifications. Citizens will select the types of notifications they wish to receive as well as the method (e.g. call, text, email). The system will be used for routine and emergency (e.g. boil water advisory) notifications.
Know Your Zone
Be READY Dorchester County, WEATHER or Not!
Weather forecasters are predicting hurricane season will be above normal in terms of the number of named storms and major hurricanes. Dorchester County has been impacted by at least one storm each year since 2015.
Many find it hard to believe, but certain areas in Dorchester County are at risk to storm surge. Storm surge is ocean water pushed onto otherwise dry land during a tropical storm or hurricane. Dorchester County has three risk-based zones: D, E, and F.
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Saying I Do
The Dorchester County Probate Court is making it easier and safer to say "I Do" by offering couples the option to apply for a marriage license online.
U.S. Highway 78 Phase 2-A
The majority of the paving for the Hwy. 178 realigned behind the County Public Works Complex has been completed, and the contractor is working on the tie-ins. Work on extending 2 culverts along 78 is underway and clearing and grubbing within the right of way has been completed.
Utility relocation to accommodate the new construction is also ongoing. Estimated project completion is late Fall 2020.
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Parks and Recreation
The new Rosebrock Park Playground opened on June 11.
The playground, which is made of Robinia wood (black locust), is the first of its type in the region. The addition of the playground is a hit as evidenced by a significant increase in park traffic!
Make sure you tag @dorchestercountysc in your Rosebrock Park and Playground pics on Instagram.
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In April, Dorchester County announced that both the Ashley River Park near the Town of Summerville and the Davis-Bailey Park in St. George were under contract. Below is a construction update for both parks.
Ashley River Park
Clearing is nearly completed and foundation work for the outfitters and restroom buildings is underway. Utility installation has commenced. The playground and splash pad designs have been finalized. Substantial completion is anticipated in Summer 2021.
Davis-Bailey Park
Clearing is completed and pond excavation work is almost finished. Playground and splash pad designs have also been finalized. Utility installation will commence soon. Substantial completion is anticipated in Spring 2021.
Tammy Thompson Named Director of HR
On Wednesday, April 22, Tammy Thompson was promoted to Director of Human Resources for Dorchester County. Thompson has been with Dorchester County for almost 19 years with 15 years of progressive experience in the Human Resources Department, including experience as Deputy Director of HR, HR Generalist II, Personnel Analyst, and Payroll Manager.
Mrs. Thompson has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management. During her time working in Human Resources, she has earned several professional certifications, including International Public Management Association for Human Resources, IPMA-HR, IPMA-HR Senior Certified Professional.
Mrs. Thompson is recognized as a leader in Human Resources in our state where she has served as Vice President and President of the SCAC HR Association.
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Opportunity Zones
Dorchester County recently partnered with the Town of Summerville to launch a marketing campaign to promote the Opportunity Zones in St. George, Ridgeville and Summerville. Learn more about this joint initiative to attract private investment to our community at https://www.dorchesterscopportunityzones.com/.
County PIO Honored as Communicator of the Year
During a virtual awards ceremony held in May 2020, the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) honored Dorchester County Public Information Officer, Tiffany Norton-Cornette, as the National Communicator of the Year.
The Communicator of the Year Award recognizes a government communicator who has fostered public trust and personifies the role of government communicators by delivering timely, accurate, and meaningful information to the public.
As Communicator of the Year, Tiffany joins a prestigious group of noted communicators who have exemplified the ethics of good communication and good government through their professionalism and superior service. Read More
2020 Census
Census workers will begin going door-to-door on Thursday, July 16. Avoid the awkwardness and complete the 2020 Census online.
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April - June By The Numbers
Register of Deeds
The Register of Deeds office recorded 8,240 documents and processed $508,637.51 in fees from recordings, a 4.4% increase from the 2nd Quarter in 2019. Additionally, the office saw a substantial increase in E-filings, which allowed the office to continue to operate at a superior level while also protecting staff and the public from the spread of COVID-19.
Building Services
The Building Services Department issued 193 Single Family Residential Permits and 163 Certificates of Occupancy in the 2nd Quarter and generated $557,000 in revenue, an increase of $173,500 from the 2nd Quarter in 2019.
Animal Control
In 2019, Dorchester County Animal Control responded to 4,101 calls and transported 1,761 animals. Year-to Date in 2020, 1,990 calls have been answered and 960 animals have been transported.
Elections
Dorchester County saw an increase in voter turnout for the 2020 Statewide Primaries with 22.11%, up from 17.93% in 2018. The increase is credited to the historical number of absentee voters. A total of 5,322 absentee ballots were cast with over 3,000 of those ballots cast by-mail.
Coroner
During the months of April - June, Dorchester County suffered the loss of 226 individuals. This number is lower than the 2nd Quarter in 2019. However, the year to date number is higher with 508 compared to 456 in 2019. The leading cause of death is Cardiac Events.
 Citizens can request ground spraying (via a truck) by completing the online service request form on the County website or calling the Mosquito Control Office at (843) 832-0080. Note: The spray zone is required when requesting ground spraying.
Garbage and Recycling
56 Tons of litter was removed from Dorchester County roadways and waterways during the second quarter of 2020.
Unsecured loads make up 20% of all roadside trash. To prevent this, all loads hauled in trucks or on trailers must be secured by a fastened cover or tarp. Residents are asked to report uncovered loads and/or illegal dumping to the Litter Control Office at (843) 563-0072.
Convenience Sites
The below numbers represent what was collected and properly disposed of at County Convenience Sites for the months of April - June.
Motor Oil - 7,000 Gallons
Vegetative (yard) Debris - 3,147 Tins
Plastic - 64 Tons
Glass - 115 Tons
Aluminum Cans - 5 Tons
Scrap Metal - 413 Tons
Cooking Oil - 1,000 Gallons
Mixed Paper - 113 Tons
Carpet and Padding - 22 Tons
E-Waste - 67 Tons
Construction & Demolition Debris - 4,251 Tons
Household Garbage - 2,360 Tons
Bond Ratings Improve
On April 15, Moody's Investors Service upgraded Dorchester County's rating from Aa2 to Aa1 for the Series 2019 General Obligation (GO) Refunding and Improvement Bonds.
This improved rating will continue to decrease the cost of debt service through lower interest rates, beginning with the Series 2019 GO Bonds.
The upgrade to Aa1 reflects the continued growth and diversification of the County's sizable tax base, which benefits from its proximity to Charleston, SC (Aaa stable), healthy resident income levels, extremely robust reserve and liquidity position supported by formal fiscal policies, and manageable debt and pension burdens. Read More
Do More Dorchester
Dorchester County recently launched an out-of-home campaign, Do More Dorchester, to remind residents throughout the region that there's plenty to do right here in Dorchester County. The Do More campaign seeks to highlight local events, eco-tourism, eateries, crafts, u-pick farms, outdoor activities, etc.
If you know a business or non-profit that would be a good fit for this promotion, please email pictures and information about the events/activities, specialty dishes and drinks, etc. to Olivia Saber with Touchpoint Communications. Appropriate content will be shared on the Dorchester County Instagram and Tourism Facebook Page.
We welcome photos and details about events, activities, normal business, etc. from any Dorchester County entity that is open to the public.
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Looking Ahead
November 2020 General Election
Residents who are interested is participating in the election process as a poll worker for the General Election should complete and submit the online form.
To be eligible to vote in the General Election all voters must be registered to vote by Sunday, October 4.
Voters can request and submit an application for a by-mail ballot beginning now. In fact 4,754 Dorchester County voters have received a by-mail application and 2,447 have already returned their application and are awaiting a ballot to be mailed to them in October.
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