South Carolina Association of Counties announced this year's graduates from the Institute of Government for County Officials. The multi-class, multi-year training provides knowledge and skills that County staff needs on dealing with today's critical issues, it helps them meet the daily needs of the County's communities and also helps them monitor the County's overall performance.

This year, all Beaufort County graduates were Level II. They completed 27 hours of classes to graduate from Level I, and 18 hours of instruction to graduate from Level II.

Beaufort County Level II graduates are:

Council Vice Chair Anna Maria Tabernik
Council Member Paula Brown
Council Member Thomas Reitz
County Administrator Michael Moore
Assistant County Administrator John Robinson

Courses--some offered both online and in-person--include:

Level I
Ethical Leadership and Public Service
Legal Issues in County Government
Planning and Land Use

Level II
Current Issues Facing County Government
Decision-Making in a Political Environment
Economic Development
Financial Management
The Policy Role of Council

“By taking part in the Institute of Government program, council members gain practical knowledge to better understand the day-to-day functions of County government and strengthen how we serve our communities,” said recent graduate Council Vice Chair Tabernik. "It was an overwhelmingly positive experience that gave us the opportunity to interact with staff and elected officials from other counties and share experiences."

“It’s been personally and professionally rewarding to take part in the Institute of Government program," said Beaufort County Administrator Michael Moore. "This training helps equip Beaufort County officials and leaders with needed tools and skills to manage the day to day demands of their positions. We also appreciated the opportunities offered by the Institute to collaborate and glean current best-practices from other counties and government bodies.”

From the SCAC website:

The Institute of Government for County Officials (the Institute) is a training program designed to equip county officials with the tools needed to enhance their skills and abilities to function more effectively in their positions. SCAC provides the Institute in cooperation with the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center for Livable Communities at the College of Charleston. Clemson University’s Master of Public Administration Program is a sponsor of the Institute.

First offered in 1989, the Institute curriculum has been enhanced over the years to reflect current information that county officials need to know in order to be effective leaders.