Berkeley touting strategic plan

MONCKS CORNER -- It's time for Berkeley County residents to lay aside political rivalries and personal clashes and work together for the common good.

At least that's the challenge from Supervisor Dan Davis as he tries to rally everybody, including an often-divided council, around a new strategic plan.

It's the first time the county has ever had a strategic plan, something Davis said he's been pushing for since he took office three years ago. He posted it on the county's Web site this month and is asking for citizen input.

"Berkeley County should be run like a successful business," Davis said. "Most successful businesses have strategic plans."

Davis, who owns the Coastal Carolina Flea Market, developed a strategic plan for Hanahan when he was the city's administrator.

Berkeley's plan lays out where the county should go in seven areas. For example, the first area is communications. The first goal in that area is establishing a public information office, a function the deputy administrator is handling now.

The office would keep citizens informed and handle complaints, as well as deal with the media and oversee the county's Web site.

"Our strategic plan will be the new foundation of our citizen-focused, results-oriented government," Davis said.

Berkeley County's plan was hashed out during a two-day council retreat. The fact that it was a group effort should help unify everybody around it, Davis said.

"This is not about politics," Davis said. "It's about what the county as a whole is trying to accomplish."

Davis will be up for re- election next year. He's encountered deep political divisions since defeating former Supervisor Jim Rozier in the last election.

Councilman Jack Schurlknight, chairman of the finance committee, said he also hopes the strategic plan will help council work together despite political differences.

"I'm going to take the high road on this," Schurlknight said. "I feel like council can do this if we can leave politics out of it. I'm hoping everybody can work together."

The plan also has a section called "Core Values." One of the values is integrity, "being consistently truthful, ethical and honest in all our personal, professional and business relationships."

Schurlknight said some council members might have had somebody in mind when they suggested that value, since they have sometimes accused each other of lying. Davis said it was just a good general reminder.

"You've got to set a standard," Davis said. "I think it would be remiss not to mention it. I think the public expects that of us at every level."

Officials are asking residents to go on the Web site and say which of these goals are most important to them: sustainable growth, responsible and responsive government, environmental stewardship, cultural opportunities or diversity.

So far, residents are showing the most interest in the first two goals, with sustainable growth and responsible government each getting 38 percent of the votes, followed by environmental stewardship at 19 percent, Deputy Administrator Chip Boling said.

Reach Dave Munday at 937-5553 or dmunday@postandcourier.com.