Berkeley County Briefs - February 20, 2020
County Government, Sheriff’s Office Launch New Websites
Berkeley County Government launched a new website last week, showcasing many new features that will better serve Berkeley County citizens. Additionally, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office’s new website went live last week, allowing BCSO to have its first-ever dedicated website.
Berkeley County’s new website is now more user-friendly, ADA compliant, with increased interactive features and an enhanced look. The site features a one-of-a-kind tool called “My Services Lookup” that allows users to enter a county-based address and determine that location’s specific providers for elected officials, utilities, fire service, school attendance, and more. The new county site also includes a list of frequently asked questions; downloadable forms and documents; options for online bill payments; and upcoming meetings and events.
The Sheriff’s Office site provides new features focused on community policing efforts and increasing communication between law enforcement and the public. Visitors can view live crime stats and crime mapping; request patrol units, report a crime and/or file a complaint; and look up sex offenders and inmates. To access the new county site, visit www.BerkeleyCountySC.gov.
To access the Sheriff’s Office page, visit www.sheriff.berkeleycountysc.gov/.
2019 County Audit Shows Improvement from 2018
The 2019 Berkeley County audit was presented to County Council on Jan. 27, and showed incredible improvement from the 2018 report. The county received an “Unmodified Opinion” from its outside auditors, Scott and Company. This represents the best possible opinion the county can receive. The audit report showed a substantial increase in the general fund, with the county at $6.5 million revenues over expenditures; whereas, the 2018 general fund operations had a loss of $2.3 million.
Per the fund balance policy, the county’s fund balance must have at least 17% of the upcoming fiscal year’s budgeted expenditures, and needed to be at least $15.5 million. The audit report shows the fund balance at $22.6 million.
The positive fund balance for fiscal year 2019 was the result of a more conservative approach to revenue projections, avoiding budget amendments throughout the year, employees and departments working with the finance staff to manage their respective budgets, salary savings due to vacant positions, and a one-time transfer of $3.4 million from the Register of Deeds office that had not been properly transferred to the general fund since fiscal year 2016.
“We are committed to being fiscally responsible, and this year’s audit reflects just that. I’d like to commend each and every employee, along with our finance team for committing daily to being good stewards of all taxpayer and county funds we are entrusted with,” said Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb.
County held ribbon cutting for New Coroner’s Office
Berkeley County cut the ribbon on its new Coroner’s Office on Monday, Feb. 10 at 102 Gulledge Street in Moncks Corner.
Through an agreement with the Berkeley County School District, the county acquired the building in exchange for in-kind services for the school district, with no exchange of money. The facility had previously been used as office space for the school district. It was no longer needed after staff relocated to their new facility at the old Berkeley High School.
Coroner George Oliver and his team moved to the new building from their current office inside the Berkeley County Courthouse, where they have been located on the first floor for more than 30 years. This move will open up much-needed space at the courthouse.
Oliver said, “We are thrilled to secure this larger space that county crews worked so quickly and diligently to renovate. Our office works with community members who are often grieving the loss of loved ones. By having a separate space, removed from the courthouse and dedicated to Coroner’s Office services, we can provide more private resources to individuals during their time of need and hurt.”