Your County. Your News.
Meet Your Dorchester County Councilmembers
Dorchester County operates within a “Council/Administrator” form of government which consists of seven council districts. Each member of Council is elected by single-member districts and serves four-year terms. Some of their responsibilities include approving the annual County Budget and Capital Improvement Projects, and creating meaningful legislation by way of ordinances, resolutions, and proclamations.
On January 3, 2023, our re-elected and newly elected officials were sworn in at the County's Oath of Office Ceremony.
Members of Dorchester County Council now include:
Councilwoman Harriet Holman, District 1
Councilman David Chinnis, District 2
Councilwoman Rita May Ranck, District 3
Councilman Todd Friddle, District 4
Councilman Eddie Crosby, District 5
Councilman Bill Hearn, District 6
Councilman Jay Byars, District 7
Dorchester County Public Safety Services Community Survey 2023
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As Dorchester County continues to develop and grow, we are committed to the safety and well-being of residents and visitors. In order to understand our community's concerns and priorities, Dorchester County invites residents to take the Public Safety Community Survey.
The survey includes questions about Fire Rescue, the Sheriff’s Office, EMS, Emergency Management, the Coroner’s Office, and our 911 Consolidated Dispatch. Your participation will help our agencies understand your needs so that we can improve our processes and services to residents. The survey will remain open until March 3, 2023, and is online and available in hard copies at the St. George and Summerville Libraries in both Spanish and English.
Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey below. Thank you!
Dorchester Public Safety Annual Survey - English
Dorchester Public Safety Annual Survey - Spanish
Dorchester County is currently accepting applications for the Senior Citizens Tax Work-Off Program through February 23, 2023.
The Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off Program permits senior citizens the opportunity to trade valuable time and needed skills for government services in exchange for compensation equal to their County property tax obligations.
Eligibility
Residents 60 years-old (or older), that own property (in their name) in Dorchester County and reside at said property, are eligible to apply.
Compensation
Senior citizens that participate in the SCTWOP are compensated at minimum wage ($7.25 per hour) for the sum equal to the portion on the property tax bill designated for County Operating, County Debt, and Capital Improvements.
Note: Applicants are responsible for paying their taxes directly to the Dorchester County Treasurer by the appropriate deadlines.
Participants will be placed in various departments throughout the County and receive a check after they complete the requisite number of hours calculated.
How to Apply
Applications must be sent to Karen Taylor, Dorchester County Business Services, Financial Services Division, by February 23, 2023, to be eligible.
Residents must include a copy of their Property Tax Bill and Driver’s License or other photo identification as proof of residency.
Return Applications to Ms. Karen Taylor via:
Applications are also available in the Financial Services Division on the second floor of the Kenneth F. Waggoner Building located at 201 Johnston Street in St. George or the Dorchester County Council/Administrator’s Office in the Human Services Building located at 500 North Main Street in Summerville.
Questions? Contact Karen Taylor, at (843) 970-3843
SCTWOP Application
 New Water Tower in St. George
On January 10, 2023, a new 500,000-gallon water tank was installed at the Winding Woods Industrial Park. The completion of the water tank is part of Winding Woods Reach which includes 41,500 linear feet of a 16-inch water main with fire hydrants. This project is instrumental for improved fire safety as well as providing opportunities for increased economic development.
Thanks to the Charleston District of United States Army Corps of Engineers who administers the Lake Marion and Moultrie project along with Hazen and Sawyer who designed the Winding Woods Elevated Storage Tank and Reach.
 Dorchester County Receives Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
Dorchester County was recently awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The County was recognized for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2022.
This distinction is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and represents a significant accomplishment by government and management according to the GFOA.
The County was also awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award which recognizes governments that meet the highest standards established by the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting and the GFOA's best practices on budgeting.
"These awards reflect Dorchester County's commitment to transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility," said Daniel Prentice, Deputy County Administrator/Chief Financial Officer. "Less than half of the counties in South Carolina receive the Certificate of Achievement award and only seven counties received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award last year, further underscoring the effort required to reach these achievements.”
To view the County’s financial reports, visit www.dorchestercountysc.gov.
More details about the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence can be found here.
 Fun at Davis-Bailey Park
Dorchester County Parks and Recreation recently held its inaugural Family Fun Day at Davis-Bailey Park on Saturday, January 28th. The weather was beautiful, and everyone that came out seemed to enjoy the food, fun, festivities, and movie.
The Parks and Recreation Department is working hard to offer more special events and programs at all of our Dorchester County Parks. Be on the lookout for a schedule of upcoming events on our website or like us on Facebook!
 Dorchester County's Public Leadership Apprenticeship Program
As part of a comprehensive strategy for recruitment and retention, Dorchester County Human Resources rolled out the County's Public Leadership Apprenticeship Program in 2018. This program offers a leadership skills training program that includes on-the-job experience along with ongoing support through coaching and mentorships.
Meet our newest graduate, EMS Shift Supervisor Tim Reader who completed the four-year long program which included 8,000 hours of training and 900 hours of job-related education.
As a result of his efforts, he earned a certificate of completion from the U.S. Department of Labor and an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Trident Technical College.
 CERT Spring 2023 Training Opportunity
Dorchester County is now taking applications for our 24 hour Basic CERT course.
A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) are volunteers who are trained to assist their community in the event of a natural or man-made disaster when emergency services may not be immediately available. CERT is about readiness, people helping people, and doing the greatest good for the community. Residents who complete the CERT training will be more capable and ready to respond to emergency and disaster situations.
Our next training will take place over seven Thursday evenings and one Saturday morning at the Dorchester County St. George Library (506 N. Parler Ave., St. George).
For more information and/or to register for the class, please contact David Amann with the Emergency Management Department at (843) 832-0341.
 VA Benefits and Disability Claims Workshop
Dorchester County Veterans Affairs is hosting a Veterans Benefits and Disability Claims Workshop on February 24, from 2pm - 4pm at the Summerville County Council Chambers (500 N. Main St., Summerville).
The agenda will include a disability benefits overview, dependency and indemnity compensation and pension eligibility, and a time for questions.
If you have questions about veteran benefits, please contact the Dorchester County Veterans Affairs Office at (843) 832-0050 to schedule an appointment.
 Dorchester County Economic Development Celebrates Record Year
ICYMI: Dorchester County Economic Development, which serves to support economic growth in the county, celebrated the successful expansion and establishment of record local business in 2022.
The year produced 9 official announcements totaling more than $406 million in new capital investment. This outweighs the previous county record of 6 announcements, in both 2017 and 2019, and is the largest single-year investment total since the organization’s inception in 1989 by more than $84 million. The year’s advancements will create an estimated 1,231 new jobs, the second highest in Dorchester County in 25 years.
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