Your County. Your News.
 Reminder: Hurricane Preparedness Expo at Ashley River Park
In anticipation of the upcoming hurricane season, Dorchester County Emergency Management invites all Lowcountry residents to the annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo on June 1, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Ashley River Park.
This educational and interactive event will equip residents with essential knowledge and resources for hurricane safety. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with emergency management officials, learn about emergency supplies, and understand necessary steps to protect their families and property.
Event Details: Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Ashley River Park, 200 Renken Road, Summerville
The Expo will also feature a range of fun activities, including interactive exhibits, food trucks, an inflatable obstacle course, an electric children's train, balloon art, face painting, and emergency services demonstrations. Charleston Electric will be raffling off a 3600-watt Generac GP3600 portable generator.
Attendees 21 and older can sample special hurricane beer, "Know Your Zone," from Tradesman Brewing Company, and Coastal Coffee Roasters will offer samples of their unique "Storm Surge" coffee.
Additionally, the Red Cross will host a blood drive during the event. We encourage residents to donate blood as part of our community's emergency preparedness. Please visit the provided link to pre-register.
Admission to the park is $2 per person (free for children 3 years old and under) for those without an Annual Pass.
 Notice of Valuation, Classification & Assessed Value
The County will be mailing out Reassessment Notices within the next several months. In the meantime, below is some information regarding the valuation, classification, and assessments.
When will I know how much my taxes will be? The amount of taxes due for each property depends on the budgets set by the local governing body. The County Auditor will calculate tax amounts after the millage rates have been determined by each governing body. The County Auditor usually calculates real property taxes in September of each year.
How do I get the best tax rate for my home? The ratio should be 4% if the owner-occupant owned and occupied the residence as a legal residence and is domiciled at that address for some period during the applicable tax year. The owner cannot claim to be a legal resident of a jurisdiction other than SC for any purpose.
To obtain the lower rate, you will need to complete a “Legal Residence Application” with the county assessor. This form is available on the Assessor’s website. This should be done as soon as your deed is recorded and you move into your house, but may be filed any time before January 15, when taxes are due.
What is Reassessment? This year marks a reassessment year, which is part of our routine process to ensure property valuations reflect current market conditions. Every five years, the county assesses all real estate to determine if changes in the market require adjustments to property values. This reassessment may affect the assessed value of your property. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Purpose of Reassessment: Reassessment aims to realign property values with the current market, ensuring fairness and equity in property taxation across the county.
2. Impact on Property Values: Depending on market trends and individual property conditions, your property's assessed value may increase, decrease, or remain the same.
3. Notification: You will receive a notice detailing the new assessed value of your property once the reassessment is complete. This notice is crucial as it forms the basis for your future property tax calculations.
4. Questions or Concerns: If you have questions or disagree with the reassessed value, contact the County Assessor’s Office directly.
Reassessments are conducted by the county to align with state laws and regulations, ensuring transparency and accuracy in property taxation.
More information is found on the Assessor's website.
Dorchester County Parks and Recreation will be partnering again this summer with Summerville Medical Center, Summerville Family YMCA, Colleton County Parks and Recreation, Dorchester School District 4, and Colleton County School District - CCSD to offer the award winning Splash Into Safety drowning prevention program.
This program is offered to those ages 5-11 and will be held in the St George and Walterboro area. Each lesson is 30 minutes Monday through Friday, and each week is $5.00 per child.
St George Middle School
June 17th - 21st
June 24th - 28th
Colleton County Recreation Center - Walterboro
July 8th - 12th
July 15th - 19th
Register here https://summervilleymca.org/splash-into-safety/
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 Dorchester County Launches New Transportation Sales Tax Program Website
Dorchester County is excited to announce the launch of its new Transportation Sales Tax Program website, a comprehensive resource dedicated to current and future transportation projects funded by the County's Transportation Sales Tax Program.
Website: Dorchester Transportation Sales Tax Program
The new website provides detailed insights into all transportation projects that are being funded by the sales tax. From road improvements and expansions to new bike lanes and public transportation enhancements, the site offers an in-depth look at how Dorchester County is moving forward.
You can now easily access project descriptions, progress updates, timelines, and budget allocations. The site also features interactive maps and future project proposals, allowing the community to see how their tax dollars are being invested to improve transportation throughout the county.
About the Dorchester County Transportation Sales Tax Program
Established to fund critical transportation projects through a voter-approved sales tax, the Dorchester County Transportation Sales Tax Program will enhance mobility, increase safety, and foster economic growth across the county. The program oversees the funding and implementation of various transportation-related enhancements that cater to the needs of its growing population.
 MUSC Children's Health Pediatric Trauma Program Honors Exceptional DCEMS Teams for Outstanding Service and Dedication
On May 29, 2024, the MUSC Children's Health Pediatric Trauma Program proudly presented awards to several Dorchester County Emergency Medical Services teams for their extraordinary contributions to pediatric emergency care and community outreach over the past year.
Deputy Director Joe Crowder and Training Officer Josh Arrant were honored for their exceptional collaboration between MUSC and DCEMS, ensuring the effective use of the bike rodeo trailer for community outreach and injury prevention.
Advanced EMT Eddie Rivera, EMT Jeffrey Phipps, Paramedic Shift Supervisor Scott Chisholm, Paramedic Crew Chief Marco Simard, Paramedic Crew Chief Angelina Johnson, & EMT Jason Bell were recognized for their response during a major vehicle collision involving multiple pediatric patients. Their ability to triage, assess, and deliver top-quality care under pressure is commendable.
Emergency Medical Technician John Gunter and Paramedic Crew Chief Jennifer Dargis were acknowledged for their prompt and expert response to a critical incident involving a child struck by a motor vehicle. Their swift actions and expert care were crucial in stabilizing the critically injured patient.
Join us in celebrating these incredible professionals who go above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of our community's children.
 Welcome to the Library on the Ashley River
The new Library on the Ashley River is set to open after the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony scheduled for June 4th! This 20,000 square foot facility, located across from Ashley River Park, will serve the County's fastest growing community. With an expected 750-1000 visitors per day, the library will offer a range of services and amenities including classrooms, computer centers, event rooms, and private study rooms. Come explore and take advantage of this fantastic new community resource!
 Eagle Creek Public Scoping Meeting
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, is working with Dorchester County to study flood risks around Eagle Creek in Dorchester County, South Carolina.
This study is part of a program that allows the Corps to plan and build projects to manage flood risks. These projects can include physical changes, like altering channels, or non-physical changes, like raising buildings or moving them out of flood-prone areas. The process has several phases: feasibility, design, implementation, monitoring and adaptive management, and operation and maintenance. Right now, we are in the feasibility phase, which looks at whether a project is needed, can be done, is cost-effective, and environmentally acceptable.
We know that flooding around Eagle Creek has become more frequent and damaging, especially to homes, over the past 10 years. This study aims to find solutions to reduce these flood risks for nearby residential areas.
We value input from the community and encourage those affected to share their experiences and suggestions. Please consider joining us at our upcoming meeting to discuss this important study.
Date: Monday, June 24th
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: The Fellowship of Oakbrook Church, 1400 Old Trolley Rd, Summerville
 Dorchester County Opens New Emergency Operations and Dispatch Center
We are so excited to announce the opening of the new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Consolidated Dispatch Center. This state-of-the-art facility, located in the northwest corner of the Dorchester County Law Enforcement Complex on Deming Way near Summerville, is built to withstand hurricane-force winds and seismic activity.
The Center spans 17,000 square feet and features 45 EOC positions, 20 dispatch console positions, sleeping quarters, a secure bay for the Unified Mobile Command Unit, a commercial kitchen, a press briefing room, and a consolidated County data center.
We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who dedicated countless hours to making the new EOC a reality!
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 Registration Begins Saturday, June 1st
Sign up at your local Dorchester County Library by picking up a game card or show you've registered on Beanstack to receive your free prize!
- Learn more about Beanstack and how to use it here.
- You can also download a game card here.
How to Play:
1. Mark one spot on your sheet every day you complete a reading activity or keep track online with Beanstack.
2. Register for Summer Reading and receive a free prize.
3. Complete 20 reading activities and receive a free prize.
4. Complete 40 reading activities and earn a free book. Each day logged is an entry into our grand prize drawing!
Learn more on our website!
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