For residents who want to know where their tax dollars go, the Charleston County Citizens' Academy is offering free quarterly sessions on different topics to provide residents with a further understanding of county government.

Beginning in March, Citizens' Academy will be offered as one-day sessions on a quarterly basis. Topics include the county budgeting process, garbage and recycling, law enforcement, the court system, emergency services, planning and zoning, and much more.

The first quarterly session will be held on Tuesday, March 9, with separate morning and afternoon sessions. Residents may attend one or both of the sessions, which will be held in Charleston County Council Chambers in the Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building located at 4045 Bridge View Drive in North Charleston.

County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor and County Administrator Allen O'Neal will welcome participants and give an introduction and overview of the day's topics. Residents will have the opportunity to meet several of their elected officials in person in addition to hearing more about their job responsibilities.

Previously, Citizens' Academy included a series of 12 classes taught by Charleston County Government employees and county elected officials, and residents were required to register in advance.

'Funding for the program was cut due to a declining County budget,' said Evelyn DeLaine-Hart, Ph.D., who is overseeing the new program. 'However, officials wanted to make sure the popular program continued in some format, so it's been modified. We are excited about the way the upcoming sessions will be held in order to allow citizens to learn more about their local government.'

The purpose of the academy is to introduce citizens to the services and operations provided by Charleston County Government.

'It is designed to help citizens understand the issues that drive decisions related to services, and to provide participants with a forum to learn, ask questions, and make comments to those responsible for spending their tax dollars,' DeLaine-Hart said. 'The course would be of value to neighborhood association leaders, business people, teachers, students, members of the media, and anyone who is a concerned and interested citizen.'

There is no formal registration required for the workshops; however, County staff would like to have an idea of the number of people who plan to attend the morning and/or afternoon sessions. Residents should e-mail Mai Green at maigreen@charlestoncounty.org or call (843) 958-4000 if they plan to attend.