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Department Functions
| County Council | Beaufort County Council is an elected body responsible for passing ordinances, setting county policies and developing an annual budget for the administration of public services to citizens |
| County Administrator | The County Administrator is the only contract employee of Beaufort County. He is appointed by Beaufort County Council and reports directly to the Chairman of Beaufort County Council. His primary administrative responsibility is to implement the policies of County Council and the service-delivery system to the citizens of Beaufort County. |
| Finance | The mission of the Finance Department is to maintain the financial records of Beaufort County, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and in accordance with principles prescribed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Government Finance Officers Association, and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board; and provide management with up-to-date and accurate financial data, for use in making decisions affecting the citizenry of the County Furthermore, to ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal laws in the maintenance of records, receipt and disbursement of monies, and reporting requirements. |
| Employee Services | Beaufort County's Employee Services Division administers and oversees programs related to employee pay and benefits including new hire orientation, implementation and administration of employee compensation and benefit plans, processing county payroll, federal and state reporting, ensuring compliance with federal and state employment laws, and development and interpretation of County policy as it relates to employees. |
| Purchasing | Maximize the value of public funds in procurement, by contracting and management of efficient services, capital equipment, and material investments. The provision of a quality procurement system upholding tenets of integrity, responsiveness, and fairness to both internal and external customers |
| Clerk of Court | No Description Available. |
| Family Court | Beaufort County Family Court hears all family cases which may involve or include: Divorce, Child Support, Alimony, Separation and maintenance, Domestic Child Abuse, Child Custody and Visitation rights, Adoptions/Termination of Parental Rights, Juvenile Cases |
| Magistrate Court | Magistrate Court has jurisdiction over all criminal offenses subject to the penalty of a fine not exceeding $500.00 or 30 days in jail, as well as cases transferred from General Sessions. The Magistrate Court has jurisdiction over civil matters involving claims not exceeding $7,500.00, including but not limited to evictions, summons and complaints, claim and deliveries, and restraining orders. In addition, magistrates are responsible for setting bond, conducting preliminary hearing and issuing arrest and search warrants. |
| Master in Equity | The Master-in-Equity is a civil non-jury judge. The Master hears almost all foreclosure and real estate cases and a substantial number of civil, non-jury contract and business matters.In order to assist with Beaufort County's substantial case load, the Beaufort County Master-in-Equity has traditionally been appointed by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Special Circuit Judge. In that capacity, the Master hears a number of cases and motions that would otherwise overburden the Circuit Court docket.The Governor, with approval of the S.C. General Assembly, appoints Masters-in-Equity to six-year terms. The Master-in Equity's Office is State mandated, but County funded. All fees received by the Master's office benefit Beaufort County. |
| Probate | The Probate Court is a court of record having exclusive original jurisdiction over all matters related to decedents' estates, trusts, guardianships of adult incapacitated persons, conservatorships of minors and adult incapacitated persons, involuntary commitment of persons suffering from mental illness and retardation, chemical dependence and tuberculosis, and issuance of marriage licenses. The Court also has jurisdiction over the approval of certain wrongful death settlements. |
| Public Defender | No Description Available |
| Alcohol and Drug | The Beaufort County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Department (BCADAD), a component of Beaufort County Government, is one of 46 agencies established under South Carolina law to help individuals and families troubled by alcohol, tobacco or other drug related problems. |
| Alliance for Human Services | The Beaufort County Alliance for Human Service is a partnership of nonprofit, public and private agencies, organizations and community members created in 2003 by a Leadership Council composed of local leaders representing a diverse range of human service organizations in Beaufort County. |
| Assessor | Identify, map, classify, appraise and assess residential, commercial, agricultural and vacant property in Beaufort County for ad valorem taxation within the guidelines of the SC Code of Laws, SC Department of Revenue regulations and Beaufort County Ordinances. Provide other departments, outside agencies, utilities, and the public with current real estate information. Conduct informal hearings and participate in formal hearings and Administrative Law judge hearings for real estate assessment appeals by property owners. Provide annual real estate assessments to the County Auditor. Reappraise and reassess all property in accordance with Sections 12-43-217 and Article 25 (Act 388) of the SC Code of Laws. |
| Auditor | No Description Available |
| Building Codes | issuing building permits, reviewing and approving drawing construction plans, inspecting the construction in accordance with the current adopted code, determinate the flood zone |
| Business License | provides helpful information to businesses about Beaufort County's requirements for conducting business within Beaufort County. |
| County Channel | No Description Available |
| Facilities Management No Description Available | |
| PALS | Beaufort County Parks & Leisure Services (PALS) offers youth & adult sports programs, swim lessons, water aerobics and lifeguarding certifications. Our active recreation centers provide dance, aerobics, after-school and summer camp programs and have many fields and facilities that are available to host a variety of functions. |
| Planning | The Beaufort County Planning Department prepares/implements the Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan and local planning and development regulations; participates in regional planning efforts with the County's municipalities and adjoining jurisdictions; and provides staff support to numerous boards such as Rural and Critical Lands Preservation, Planning Commission, Corridor Review, and Historic Preservation Review. The Department also coordinates other County projects involving land use, energy efficiency, affordable housing, culture resource protection, capital improvements planning, disaster recovery planning, transportation, and environmental protection. |
| Public Works | Public Works maintains County-owned horizontal infrastructure, including roads, drainage systems, and boat landings. Public Works is also responsible for Beaufort County solid waste and recycling programs, including operation of the Citizen Convenience Centers and Keep Beaufort County Beautiful. |
| Register of Deeds | In compliance with state law, the Register of Deeds records, indexes, and scans real estate-related documents, including Deeds, Mortgages, and Plats, and serves as a repository for these documents and their public access. In addition to real estate, the department also files Military DD214 Forms, Powers of Attorney, State & Federal Tax Liens, and other miscellaneous documents. |
| Solid Waste | Protect public health, safety, and the environment by providing Integrated Solid Waste Management services and environmental programs to the citizens of Beaufort County that are safe, efficient, cost effective, and environmentally sustainable in accordance with applicable State and Federal Laws; Develop, maintain and execute the Beaufort County Solid Waste Management Plan; Manage the operation of County Convenience Centers, Recycling programs, Keep Beaufort County Beautiful and Litter Officer functions; Develop and maintain current plans and contracts for debris removal following man-made or natural disasters. |
| Stormwater | Stormwater managements, water quality monitoring and education, major drainage construction and maintenance, water quality improvements and establishing stormwater regulations. Also establish stormwater fees in cooperation with 4 municipal partners for all parcels in the county |
| Treasurer | No Description Available |
| Veterans Affairs | We offer a wide range of services including: Educational Benefits, Home Loan Certificate of Eligibility, VA Medical Care Registration, Service-Connected Disabled Veterans' Life Insurance program, Death/Burial benefits, Widow Pension benefit, Transportation to VA Medical Center in Charleston, VA Compensation and Pension |
| Voter Registration | The Board of Elections and Registration has two primary missions: 1) to conduct the registration of qualified Beaufort County electors in accordance with Federal laws, the South Carolina Code of Laws, and local ordinances; and 2) to administer cost-efficient elections involving offices at the Federal, state, county, municipal, and service district levels with the highest integrity, and in a manner which instills confidence in electors that they are actively participating in a fundamental component of representative democracy. The Board was established in accordance with Section 7-27-240 of the South Carolina Code of Laws and is made up of nine members appointed by the Governor of the State of South Carolina upon recommendation of the Beaufort County Legislative Delegation. The Beaufort County Legislative Delegation appoints, from the existing Board membership, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. The Executive Director serves at pleasure of the Board. |
| Zoning | The Beaufort County Zoning office assists the public and staff with residential and commercial subdivisions, residential expansions, placement of single-family homes (including mobile homes), placement of accessory units, tree removal, fish ponds, zoning certification letters, bonds, sign permits, and zoning permits for residential developments, family compound residences, businesses (home-based and commercial), roadside stands, etc. The Zoning office also issues development permits for commercial uses/buildings, multi-family uses, subdivisions, amenities, family compound subdivisions, bulkheads, rip raps, rock revetments, boardwalks, view corridors, etc. There are filing fees associated with each permit. The Zoning & Development department provides assistance in understanding the concepts of the Zoning & Development Standards Ordinance, and assisting with the Beaufort County online services. The Zoning office assists in the functioning of the Development Review Team and the Zoning Board of Appeals. |
| 911 Dispatch | No Description Available |
| Animal Control | -Beaufort County animal shelter and Control provides its citizens with a clean, pleasant, professionally maintained facility for the disposition of stray or unwanted animals through adoptions, reclaims or humane euthanasia. The Animal Control Officers enforce the state animal laws and county ordinances related to animals to protect the public from roaming/vicious animals and diseases spread by same. Promote spaying and neutering to reduce the pet population. Conduct several free clinics throughout the year. |
| Detention Center | To provide a safe, secure environment for the incarceration of persons admitted to the facility by various agencies within the Criminal Justice System. To comply with Federal and State regulations on the operation of the facility and in the performance of the staffs' official duties. To provide meaningful programs for inmates in the areas of resocialization, education, self-esteem, recreation and self-help. To provide quality training for all staff in accordance with State and Federal guidelines and Accreditation standards. |
| Emergency Management Division | Emergency Management ensures the County's ability to rapidly recover from large and small disasters by assessing and mitigating hazards, enhancing preparedness, ensuring effective response and building the capacity to recover. Emergency Management is also responsible for the registration of all hazardous materials, 911 addressing, the Traffic Management Center and the consolidated Dispatch Center for Beaufort County. |
| Emergency Medical Services | No Description Available |
| Mosquito Control | To provide safe, effective, and economical abatement of mosquitoes and to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases for the residents and visitors of Beaufort County. |
| Sheriff | Here at the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, we strive to keep a constant watch on crime trends in order to better inform our residents and guests of proactive steps that can be taken to deter neighborhood crime. |
| MIS | To provide all IT needs for Beaufort County |
| GIS | To produce the most accurate and up to date mapping in Beaufort County |
| Hilton Head Airport | Beaufort County is committed to developing and operating the Hilton Head Island Airport in a safe, efficient and fiscally self-sustaining manner in order to provide residents and visitors with quality commercial and general aviation services and facilities. |
| Beaufort County Airport | No Description Available |
| Traffic Engineering | Provides for the safe and efficient flow of motorized and non-motorized transportation through the use of signage, pavement markings, street lighting, traffic signal maintenance and traffic signal system operations |
| Staff Services | Design programs and other documents for any department requesting this service. Provide comprehensive mail processing and courier service. Organize county employee participation in community agency activities. The county switchboard and reception area is the responsibility of this department. |
| Engineering | Provide effective, efficient, and quality management, engineering, and construction management of all public utility and other capital improvement projects. To provide engineering inspection of all roadway, drainage and site improvements associated with residential, commercial and industrial development within the County. |
| Risk Management | To ensure that the County's assets, liabilities and employees are adequately insured and to administer related claims; manage the Workers' Compensation Program; and to support Department Heads' efforts to create a safe workplace. |
Beaufort County, South Carolina | 100 Ribaut Road Beaufort, SC 29902-4453 | 843-255-2000
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