ANDERSON COUNTY — Each January, the Anderson County Council gathers with staff to evaluate the year’s progress and set priorities for the coming year. The county staff then formulates a budget to fund the council’s strategic goals. Once council approves the budget, the county administrator and staff begin implementation of the priorities.

The council’s mandates for 2007 included provisions for public safety, economic development, improved infrastructure and an enhanced quality of life for residents. With cooperation from all county divisions and working in harmony with council, federal, state and local officials and outside agencies, we are witnessing the fruition of all of these goals.

The Great Southeast BalloonFest affirmed the strong tradition of quality and success for which Anderson County is known. County staff collaborated with local businesses to plan, implement and fund the event, for both community enjoyment and economic development.

Great strides were made to improve public interaction by expanding and upgrading online services such as our upgraded property viewer and the ability to pay taxes, fees and fines via the Web. For the first time, the county began accepting requests for proposals online.

Eight new industrial sites/buildings joined our business fabric in 2007. Investments include Crescent Biodiesel, a cutting-edge technology company that has further cemented partnerships with Clemson University and Anderson County.

Economic Development continues to recruit and nurture industries to enhance quality of life while bringing jobs and investment to our region. We have pursued a marketing campaign to brand and showcase the opportunities available in Anderson County.

Since Anderson has its roots in agriculture and is a longtime farming community, sustainable agriculture has risen to the forefront of initiatives. January’s Upstate Sustainable Agriculture Summit at the Civic Center sought to lay a foundation for a farm-to- school program that will greatly benefit our local community.

Additionally, the county’s unemployment rate has dropped one point, from 6.7 percent in fiscal year 2006 to 5.7 percent in fiscal year 2007. This is lower than the state’s 5.9 percent rate. Wages in Anderson County rose from an average of $12.70 per hour to $13.48 during the past fiscal year.

Anderson County completed the 2007 Comprehensive Plan for Growth, a model that allows for the smart growth that is needed while promoting advancement and conserving our farming community and the values accompanying it.

Completion of the Beaverdam Creek Sewer Line — a vital component of the county’s 10-year comprehensive sewer plan — combined with countywide storm-water plan — have us positioned for compliance with current and future federal/state sewer and storm-water regulations.

The top priority for the council was the acquisition of an 800 MHz system. After an in-depth study, staff recommended going with the state contract Palmetto 800 System (Motorola). The council reviewed staff recommendations and approved. Implementation is under way now.

Utilizing transportation engineering staff and our in-house bridge crew saved the county hundreds of thousands of dollars in bridge construction and repair. This, coupled with federal earmarks, has allowed the county to replace McClellan Road Bridge and Fire Station Road Bridge at a substantial savings to the County. Cox Road Bridge replacement will begin early this year.

The Anderson Regional Airport witnessed a dramatic increase in traffic and fuel sales because of the runway expansion. These factors brought the airport’s financial standing into the black for the first time.

The success enjoyed during 2007 was a result of the fiscally prudent decisions and policies of the finance division. For the 10th consecutive year, the county received an unqualified audit opinion and the Government Finance Officers Association award for financial reporting. These factors resulted in a continued AA bond rating that reflects the county’s solid financial footing and assures lower interest rates on loans.

Additionally, Anderson County functioned within the budget set and approved by the County Council. As a matter of fact, the county spent only 95 percent of the general fund budget.

The county’s Annual Report to the People is under preparation now. It will detail a closer look at county government.

Angela Stringer is a public information officer for Anderson County.