Dorchester

Organization 44

Departments

• Animal Control Animal Services

  Community enforcement officers investigate and enforce county ordinances on animals and animal owners.

  (843) 832-0015 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Assessor's Office Assessment

  Assigns values to all real estate properties and mobile homes; does not set tax amounts.

  (843) 832-0162 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Auditor's Office Finance

  Oversees homestead exemptions, personal property appeals, and the assessment of motor vehicles, watercraft, aircraft and business personal property.

  (843) 832-0118 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Budget & Revenue Finance

  Assists the County Administrator in developing the annual operating and capital budgets.

  (843) 832-0397 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Building Services Planning

  Issues residential and commercial building permits.

  (843) 832-0011 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Business License Office

  Processes business license applications, renewals and appeals for the unincorporated areas of Dorchester County.

  (843) 832-0018 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Business Services Finance

  Oversees Budget & Revenue, Financial Services and Purchasing Services.

  843-832-0018 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Circuit Court Courts

  South Carolina's court of general jurisdiction, sitting in the Dorchester County Courthouse. Dorchester County is in the First Judicial Circuit.

  (843) 563-0160 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Clerk of Court Courts

  Provides administrative support for the First Judicial Circuit Court and Family Court, including General Sessions, Common Pleas, Family and Juvenile Court.

  (843) 563-0160 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Consolidated Dispatch Center Emergency Management

  The County's Public Safety Answering Point, receiving 9-1-1 calls and dispatching county public safety services. Non-emergency line listed; for emergencies dial 9-1-1.

  (843) 873-5111 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Coroner's Office

  Directs and implements the investigation of deaths to determine whether a case is natural, homicide, accidental, suicide or unexplained.

  (843) 832-0351 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• County Administrator Administration

  The Chief Administrative Officer of the county, appointed by County Council, with administrative oversight of county operations except departments governed by elected officials and special districts.

  (843) 563-0100 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• County Attorney's Office Legal

  Provides legal representation to County Council, the County, elected and appointed county officials and county departments. No private representation is provided.

  (843) 563-0097 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Delinquent Tax Office Finance

  Investigates and collects delinquent real and personal property taxes and conducts the tax sale.

  (843) 832-0110 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Dorchester County Airports Transportation

  Manages Summerville Airport and St. George Airport through a County-operated Fixed Base Operation.

  (843) 806-1180 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Dorchester County Emergency Medical Services Fire

  County-operated EMS agency providing emergency medical services to citizens, visitors and neighbors of Dorchester County.

  (843) 832-0025 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Dorchester County Fire Rescue Fire

  County fire and rescue department. Non-emergency line listed.

  (843) 832-0214 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Dorchester County Sheriff's Office Police

  County law enforcement agency and operator of the Detention Center.

  (843) 832-0300 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Dorchester County Water & Sewer Utilities

  Provides water and sewer service to certain areas within Dorchester County.

  (843) 832-0075 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Emergency Management Department Emergency Management

  Leads emergency planning, multi-agency coordination and support for disasters and other emergencies.

  (843) 832-0341 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Engineering & Stormwater Public Works

  Public Works division implementing capital projects, reviewing encroachment permits and development plans, and managing stormwater.

  (843) 832-0070 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Facilities Management Public Works

  Responsible for repair, building maintenance, landscaping, security and custodial services for over 50 county facilities, parks and open spaces.

  (843) 563-0218 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Family Court Courts

  Has exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving domestic or family relationships.

  (843) 832-0360 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Financial Services Finance

  Maintains the county's general ledger accounting records, accounts payable and payroll, and is the liaison for the annual audit.

  (843) 832-0252 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Fleet Management Public Works

  Provides repairs and preventive maintenance for all County vehicles and equipment.

  843-832-0254 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Human Resources Human Resources

  Recruits, trains and supports the staff necessary for the basic operation of County government.

  (843) 563-0141 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Information Technology Information Technology

  Provides internal technology solutions and services to Dorchester County Government.

  (843) 832-0031 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Magistrate Court Courts

  Handles lesser criminal and traffic offenses and civil matters, processes evictions and restraining orders, sets bail, and issues arrest and search warrants.

  (843) 832-0370 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Master-In-Equity Courts

  Hears matters referred by the Circuit Court, with the power of the Circuit Court sitting without a jury.

  (843) 563-0001 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Mosquito Control Health

  Protects residents from mosquito-borne disease through spraying and larvicide.

  (843) 832-0080 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Neighborhood Services

  Codes enforcement department covering animal control, litter control, nuisance property and abandoned vehicles, and mosquito control.

  (843) 832-0015 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Parks and Recreation Parks & Recreation

  Provides recreational, cultural and leisure opportunities and operates the county parks.

  (843) 563-0193 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Planning & Zoning Planning

  Administers zoning ordinances, staffs the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, and oversees the Comprehensive Plan.

  (843) 832-0020 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Probate Court Courts

  Oversees marriage licenses, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, minor settlements under $25,000 and involuntary commitments.

  (843) 563-0105 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Public Defender Legal

  Provides legal representation to low-income people charged with crimes and to juveniles in Family Court. Managed by the First Circuit Public Defender.

  (843) 821-9800 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Public Information Office

  Creates and enables communication from the county to the community, the media and other audiences.

  (843) 832-0084 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Public Works Public Works

  Oversees the engineering and maintenance of county roads and drainage and provides recycling through the County's Convenience Sites.

  (843) 832-0070 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Purchasing Services Finance

  Coordinates the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction and professional services.

  (843) 832-0142 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Register of Deeds Clerk

  Records land records including deeds, mortgages, UCCs, tax liens and plats, and provides public access to them.

  (843) 832-0181 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Risk Management & Safety

  Manages county risk, the safety program, workers' compensation and property and liability insurance claims.

  (843) 563-0046 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Solid Waste & Recycling Utilities

  Public Works division maintaining the County Convenience Sites and ensuring proper disposal of solid waste.

  (843) 832-0070 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Treasurer's Office Finance

  Collects County funds including current property taxes, vehicle and watercraft taxes and registration fees, and maintains county bank accounts.

  843-832-0165 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Veterans Affairs Human Services

  Assists veterans and their families who reside in Dorchester County in matters of veteran benefits.

  (843) 832-0050 www.dorchestercountysc.gov
• Voter Registration and Elections Elections

  Promotes voter registration, maintains voter registration records and conducts elections.

  (843) 563-0132 www.dorchestercountysc.gov