Heath v. County of Aiken

Harwell, Justice:

This is an appeal from a declaratory judgment action. We reverse in part and remand.

The Sheriff of Aiken County (Sheriff Heath) sought a declaratory judgment defining the relationship between his office and Aiken County Council (Council). The circuit court ruled that except for purposes of hiring, firing, and promoting employees, Council may develop personnel system policies and procedures for sheriff’s department employees pursuant to S. C. Code, Ann. § 4-9-30(7); that an employee discharged from the sheriff’s department has a right to submit a grievance to the county…