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County moves forward with 2009-10 budget

Published Tuesday, May 19, 2009 11:35 AM

By Jenny Peterson
Summerville Journal Scene ®

The county’s $41.2 million balanced budget next year calls for no tax increase and continues to fund county services and a number of county projects.

An outline of the 2009-10 budget was presented to the council at a retreat on May 7, detailing revenues and expenditures and areas of funding that will be cut next year.

According to the budget retreat document, the county is proposing a 10 percent cut in travel and training for employees, a 20 percent cut in the cost of employee cell phones and other administrative savings. Cuts in all departments combined total more than $965,461.

Some county departments are set to get more funding next year, including the Planning and Zoning Department with an $184,463 increase; the Sheriff’s department with a $354,802 increase and a $226,904 increase in funding to operate the jail. Other aspects of next year’s budget include:

Capital Fund

The county’s capital fund, which funds large county projects, is still strong at $3.6 million. According to the budget retreat document, the county courthouse is still set to be completed in July and a new St. George EMS/Fire Station is set to be completed in 2010. The Quick Jobs Center in St. George is also set to be completed in 2010. Not everything will be funded. The county has postponed the EMS Medic 2 and 6 projects and a new jail booking room and sheriff training room have been deleted from the consideration completely.

Water and Sewer Fund

The county’s water and sewer department is set to bring in nearly $15.5 million in revenue next year. According to the budget retreat document, the State Budget and Control Board has also sent the county a commitment letter to finance $3.85 million to rehabilitate wastewater systems for five older county neighborhoods: Dorchester Regency, Kings Grant, Sprucewood, Stratton Capers and Tranquil Acres.

The list of water and sewer capital projects budgeted for next year is lengthy, and includes upgrades to pump stations, completing the Four Holes Water System and connecting the Edisto Tribal Council Water System to Bridlewood Farms Subdivision.

Solid Waste Department

Next year’s $5.59 million solid waste enterprise fund is balanced; all the money brought in will be spent, mainly on the county’s two yard debris sites, the Suburban Site in Summerville and the Sandy Pines site in Dorchester. The county recently decided to have the facilities accept residents’ yard debris on the ground, and have county employees haul it away.

The budget also funds a tire recycling program. According to the budget document, tires are now being collected at convenience sites and the county is working on ways to make money by transporting tires for dealers and contractors.

Stormwater Utility Fee

A stormwater utility fee is budgeted for next year even though the budget document shows the county is set to lose $36,898 by implementing the program.

Dorchester County, and seven other counties in coastal South Carolina, are required to implement a stormwater utility fee to comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

If implemented, residents and commercial business owners would pay a yearly fee to make sure stormwater runoff is properly treated and doesn’t pollute local waterways.

The stormwater fee ordinance voted on at Monday’s meeting shows that proposed fees range from $31.97 per year for residents living in homes of 2,241 square feet or less to $62.67 per year for homes of 5,529 square feet or more.

Owners would also pay for each unit on a large piece of property and commercial property owners would have to pay $44.76 per year for every 3,735 square feet of “impervious surface” which includes sidewalks, parking lots and walkways.

The council will hold a public hearing about the stormwater fee at its June 1 meeting in St. George.

Parks and Recreation

Next year’s budget funds $200,000 to purchase land from Lowcountry Open Land Trust for Bacon’s Bridge Road Park. It also budgets the construction of new park sites outlined in the recently completed Parks and Recreation Master Plan: the Dorchester County Courthouse Park Site, Ashley River Park Site and Eagle Run Park Site.

Contingency Fund

The council’s contingency fund includes allotting money for the American Red Cross Carolina Lowcountry Chapter, Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest, Town of Reevesville’s Magnolia Parade and Dorchester County Schools’ First Robotics competition, among others. It also includes a $10,000 donation for the town of Summerville’s 4th of July Fireworks display.

Outside organizations

The county’s budget allots money for local non-profit and community organizations, including Trident Technical College, Dorchester Seniors, Inc., Children in Crisis, the Dorchester County Library and Dorchester Career School.

The council is also set to give Dorchester 2 School District  nearly $40.5 million next year.

Webcasting

The budget shows that council is interested in broadcasting council meetings live on the Internet. An estimated $7,300 - $10,000 has been set aside next year to purchase a camera, tripod and an external host for live Internet streaming.

Council Members will hold a budget retreat and public hearing on Tuesday, May 26 at 5 p.m. in St. George. Council members will take a final vote at their June 1 meeting in Summerville. A copy of the budget can be found at county libraries.

Public Hearing

The Dorchester County Council will hold a public hearing about the 2009-10 budget on Tuesday, May 26 at 5 p.m. at County Council Chambers, 201 Johnston St. in St. George.

Public comments are encouraged. County council members are set to pass the budget at their June 1 meeting in St. George.

Contact Jenny Peterson at 873-9424 ext, 216 or JPeterson@journalscene.com.

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