How should Dorchester County utilize Greenbelt funding?

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Dorchester County officials are putting together a plan on how to spend some of the 2022 referendum money passed by voters.

Specifically, the county has about $35 million in Greenbelt funding and wants to know how you think those dollars should be spent.

“In 2022, Dorchester County had a referendum and voters came out and voted in support of a one penny sales tax referendum that authorized transportation projects, as well as $35 million for open space, explained Kiera Reinertsen, Dorchester Director of Planning/Zoning.

The county can use the money to acquire open green space or other open space easements.

“The green space laid out in the referendum is for the protection of wildlife areas and water quality but also trails and recreation,” said Reinertsen.

It could be used for numerous things, even for new parks in the county, but less active and more passive parks.

“Would love help from the public to help guide us. So, we’ve got a survey that’s coming out for Dorchester County residents to give us input on what they would like to see by way of open space and what kind of roadblocks there are for them accessing open space. This will help guide us as we develop this master plan.”

In addition to the online survey, which runs through February, their Conservation and Greenbelt Advisory Committee will hold a couple of in-person meetings to hear from the public as well.

“The first one will be February 8. That will be up at the Rosenwald school in St. George from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., and the second one will be February 13th, again 5-7 pm, but that will be here in Summerville at Alston Middle School.”

A Greenbelt masterplan draft is expected to be presented to council in April and then there could be a possible vote in May.