Charleston County, SC

Charleston
County, SC
The Holy City
“Best City in the
World”
- Travel + Leisure
2016
“Best City in the
U.S.”
- Travel + Leisure
2013-2019
“Number One Small
City in the U.S.”
- Conde Nast
Traveler eight
consecutive years.
A Citizens Financial Report
FY 2019

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Charleston County
Table of Contents
Charleston County at Glance…….3-4
County Council…………………………..5
Elected/Appointed Officials………..6
Charleston County Services………...7
Budget at Glance ........…………….8-10
Awards/Initiatives ....………………..11
Capital Improvements Projects….12
Major Transportation Projects…..13
Conclusion. ....................………………..14
To the Citizens of Charleston County
As management of Charleston County, South Carolina, we offer
Charleston County’s Popular Financial Report for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2019. This report is written to communicate to
its readers an understanding of the County's financial condition
in a simple, transparent manner. The information is derived
from the County’s CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Re-
port) that was audited by Scott & Company LLC.
We are pleased to inform citizens that Charleston County has
received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Distinguished Budget
Presentation award for 30 and 29 years consecutively. Charles-
ton County through hard work and financial discipline maintains
the highest bond rating (AAA) with all three financial rating
agencies. This consistency in financial discipline bene-
fits the citizens of Charleston County in lower taxes and
the government in better interest rates when borrow-
ing money for capital projects.
This report includes the highlights of the County’s fi-
nances over the past fiscal year 2019. This report dis-
plays where the money comes from for operations and
where the money goes when carrying out the mission of
the County. Demographic, economic, and performance
information is included with the financial highlights to
be helpful and informative to our citizens. For the full
CAFR and other financial reports, please visit the Coun-
ty’s website at https://www.charlestoncounty.org/
financial-reports.php
Sincerely,
Corine Altenhein, Chief Financial Officer
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Charleston County at Glance
Charleston County is located
on the southeastern coast of
South Carolina. It
encompasses approximately
1,358 square miles of land,
marshes, rivers and wetlands
with a coastline that stretches
nearly 100 miles along the
Atlantic Coast.
The Government comprises 45
departments and offices. A full
-time staff of approximately
2,600 serves the citizens of
Charleston County. Charleston
County also includes the
municipalities of the City of
Charleston, City of Folly Beach,
City of Isle of Palms, City of
North Charleston, Town of
Awendaw, Town of
Hollywood, Town of James
Island, Town of Kiawah Island,
Town of Lincolnville, Town of
Mt. Pleasant, Town of
Seabrook Island, and Town of
Sullivan’s Island. Charleston
County has a wide range of
industry including shipping
tourism and manufacturing.
3
The Angel Oak Tree is thought to be one of the oldest living things in the
Country. It’s estimated to be 400-500 years old, stands 66.5 feet tall, and
measures nearly 29 feet in circumference. The tree and land around it is now
protected, thanks in part the more than five million dollars in Charleston
County Greenbelt funds. Angel Oak is free to visitors and a must see local and
tourist attraction.
Charleston’s flat coastline, vast tidal areas and natural oyster reefs, combined
with a lengthy spawning season, make the perfect habitat for growing
abundant clusters of oysters.
- Discover South Carolina
Charleston’s Tourism
7.3 Million Visitors in 2018
6% Increase since 2017

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Top 10 Employers Employees
1. Joint Base Charleston 20,000
2. Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) 13,000
3. Boeing Charleston 7,000
4. Charleston Co. School District 6,500
5. Roper St. Francis Healthcare 5,500
6. Charleston County Government 2,600
7. Walmart 2,300
8. College of Charleston 2,000
9. City of Charleston 1,700
10. Kiawah Island Golf Resort 1,500
Charleston County at Glance
4
Population
Median Age
High School Graduate +
Bachelor’s Degree +
Unemployment
405,905
37.2
89.60%
33.40%
2.9%
Built in 1767 at the southern entrance
to Charleston, the original Morris Island
Lighthouse was destroyed during the
Civil War. The new tower, built in 1876,
stands 161 ft. with 201 steps leading to
its top. The beacon was extinguished in
1962.
- Discover South Carolina
Numbers are from the Charleston Metro Chamber of
Commerce

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Charleston County Council
Charleston County Council serves as the
legislative, policy-making body of county
government through the adoption of
ordinances and resolutions. Council members
represent nine single member districts, and
each January, the members elect a chairman
and vice chairman to represent Council for that
calendar year. Council annually approves
budgets for the County’s general fund,
environmental management fund and several
special revenue funds. Council also has the
budgetary oversite of several special purpose
districts that provide services within
Charleston County. Charleston County
Operates under the Council-Administrator
form of government. The administrator is
hired by Council to serve as the County’s chief
administrator officer. In addition to carrying
out the directives and policies of Council, the
administrator oversees the day-to-day
operations of county government.
Top: A. Victor Rawl, District 6, Jenny Costa Honeycutt, District 9, Teddie E.
Pryor, Sr., District 5, Dickie Schweers, District 2, Henry Darby, District 4,
Herbert Ravenel Sass III, Vice-Chairman District 1, Brantley Moody,
District 7
Bottom: Joe Dawson, Attorney, Kristen Salisbury, Clerk of Council , J. Elliott
Summey, Chairman District 3, Jennifer Miller, Administrator
5

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Elected Officials
6
Appointed Officials
Charleston County’s Historic Courthouse was first built in
1753 as the provincial capitol for the colony of South
Carolina. The Statehouse was part of the original Civic
Square planned for in the Grand Modell of Charles Town,
now known as "Four Corners of the Law," at the central
intersection of Broad and Meeting Streets.
- National Park Service
Treasurer
Mary Tinkler
Clerk of Court
Julie
Armstrong
Auditor
Peter J.
Tecklenberg
Probate Judge
Irvin Condon
Register of
Deeds
Michael Miller
Coroner
Rae Wooten
Solicitor
Scarlett Wilson Sheriff
Al Cannon
Chief Magistrate
Leroy Linen
Board of
Elections
Joe Debney
Director of
Veterans Affairs
David LeBlanc
Library
Director
Angela Craig
Master-In-
Equity
Mikell
Scarborough

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Charleston County
Services
59,637
Calls for service
Consolidated 9-1-1 Center
1,006,661
Calls for service
Environmental Management
Residential recycling, landfill
management, nine staffed convenience
center drop off locations. Public outreach
and education.
Mosquito Control
Public outreach and education
Procurement
Small Business Enterprise Programs
8:53 Minutes
Average Response
Time
Emergency Medical Services
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Charleston County’s Budget
 Total Operating
Budget: $244
Million
 $88,000 Net
Position
Increase
 9.5% Decrease
in Expenses
 No Net Increase
in Taxes for
Homeowners
9
Number of years Charleston County has
maintained the highest financial rating a
government can achieve from the financial
rating agencies.
Charleston County Government is committed to maintaining an excellent level of service
while ensuing financial health. The budget follows policy which includes keeping up with
the rainy day fund and prudent fund balance levels, matching recurring costs with
recurring revenue, and performing five-year financial forecasts for the County’s major
funds.
Highlights
Waterfront Park is an eight-acre park along approximately
one-half mile of the Cooper River. The park received the
2007 Landmark Award from the American Society of
Landscape Architects and the National Trust for Historic
Preservation.
8

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9
Actual 2019 Results / Governmental Activities
Where Money
Comes From
Where Taxpayer
Dollars Go

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Charleston County’s Fund Balances
In 2019, Charleston County Council approved a tax installment plan allowing
taxpayers who do not hold a mortgage in escrow to pay property in bimonthly
installments instead of one lump sum at the end of the year. The goal of this
program is to lessen the burden of paying taxes, especially for those on a fixed
income. 965 Charleston County taxpayers took advantage of this program.
Charleston County’s Advance Property Tax Installment Plan
10
10
For more than 300 years, people in Charleston have been
weaving baskets using locally-harvested bulrush, a strong
yet supple marshgrass that thrives in the sandy soil of
Lowcountry. Originally used as winnowing fans to separate
the rice seed from its chaff, sweetgrass baskets
are regarded among the nation’s most prized cultural
souvenirs.

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Awards and Initiatives
11
Charleston County signed a contract with Citibot,
becoming the first county in the nation to launch the
interactive text messaging and customer service system
for civic engagement with government. Citibot allows
citizens to report a problem, ask a question, or send a
message. Citibot then responds in real time.
Charleston County Emergency Management became the only
County in the state to earn accreditation by the Emergency
Management Accreditation Program.
Charleston County EMS has received the American Heart
Association’s Mission: Lifetime EMS Gold Plus Award for
implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment
of patients who experience severe heart attacks.
Charleston County Economic Development won a Gold Excellence in Economic
Development Award for its Business Concierge Program. The program was
recognized in the category of Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program of
3 Years or more of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
American Public Works Association Project of the Year
award: Folly and Camp Road Intersection Improvement
Project.
The “Launch with NASA” Program won the South
Carolina Association of Counties Barrett Lawrimore
Award, NACo Achievement Award for innovative,
effective county government programs that
strengthen services for citizens.

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12
Capital Improvements Projects New Libraries
 In June,
Charleston
County opened
one of five new
libraries
 Construction
has begun on
three of four
additional new
libraries
 Funding came
from a $108.5
million
referendum
approved by
voters 2012.
New Fire Station
 $2.4 million
facility in
Awendaw
 2.5 acres and
3,983 sq. ft.
building
 $2,388,770
million project

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13
Major Transportation Projects
Transportation
Maybank Highway
phase II Widening
Folly and Camp
Road Widening
Six Transportation
Sales Tax Projects
Eight County
Transportation
Committee
Projects
177 Miles of roads
resurfaced
Folly at Camp Road
Maybank Highway
When the Arthur Ravenel Bridge opened in
2005, it became the longest cable-stayed
bridge in North America and the tallest
structure in South Carolina. The bridge
connects downtown Charleston to Mt.
Pleasant.

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Charleston County Government is proud to
promote and protect the quality of life in
Charleston County by delivering services of
value to the community.
Charleston County Mission
Charleston County Citizens can find us on:
10,180 Followers
1,576 Followers
18,700 Followers
Charlestoncounty.org
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