South Carolina Department of Children's Advocacy

The meeting included the adoption of the proposed agenda. Key discussions involved the actuarial valuation update from GRS Consulting for the July 1, 2020 valuation, covering gains and losses, investment performance relative to the hurdle rate, and liability changes. Legislative impacts from ACT 35 concerning contribution rates were reviewed, including the delay of a scheduled one percent increase and anticipated future rate adjustments for SCRS and PORS. The presentation also addressed the impact of demographic assumption changes and the recommendation to lower the investment return assumption from 7.25% to 7%. Furthermore, the presenters discussed potential demographic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as potential short-term mortality gains for retirees, and projections comparing current unfunded liability scenarios with prior expectations. Discussions also covered the financial implications of delaying contribution rate increases.

The meeting commenced with the adoption of the agenda. A significant portion of the discussion involved approving the minutes for the March and April 2020 meetings, incorporating specific language changes and additions requested by a commissioner regarding his concerns about the proposed SIOP (State Investment Officer Program) and asset allocation details. The commission then voted to elect new officers, with William Hancock selected as Chair and Ron Wilder as Vice Chair for the upcoming two fiscal years, effective July 1, 2020. The Chief Executive Officer provided an update on the organization's resilience during the COVID-19 crisis and discussed the state's budgetary response, including the continuing resolution and a one-year freeze on the scheduled employer contribution increase to the trust fund. The Chief Investment Officer reported on the economic and market impacts of the first quarter turmoil, emphasizing the long-term investment perspective while also detailing steps being taken to simplify the portfolio in alignment with the previously approved asset allocation strategy.

The meeting was convened to discuss and determine a legal strategy regarding a potential threat to one of the commission's investments, specifically concerning an investment in Warburg Pincus. The chief operating officer provided a timeline of events leading up to the meeting, detailing the authorization of the investment in November 2012, the review period, and the approaching deadline for closing the investment. A lengthy chronology of events was presented, highlighting communications and actions involving various parties, including the State Treasurer's Office, regarding the funding and legal sufficiency of the investment. The discussion also touched on concerns about the legal sufficiency of contracts and the need for written documentation.

The meeting included discussions on the 2019 movie schedule, strategic decisions, and a review of AIB quarterly reports. The commission also discussed the fiduciary performance review. Progress has been made since 2014. The commissioners are more focused on oversight and the longer-term strategic challenges of the Commission and much less on the day-to-day investment execution processes. The Commission created human resources and Compensation Committee and the audit and Enterprise Risk Management Committee and expanded their charters. The Commission also discussed alignment and clarification of fiduciary duties. The meeting also covered the establishment of the CEO position.

The meeting included discussions and updates from the audit and ERM committee, covering topics such as proposed updates to the committee charter, the fiduciary performance audit, and the gifts vendor selection process. The human resources and compensation committee provided updates on changes to their charter, compensation policy, cost-of-living adjustments, and the CEO and staff evaluation process. There was also a performance report given, including a review of February performance, market value, and asset class performance.