City officials and staff have access to numerous publications covering local government topics through the Municipal Association of SC, including the Forms and Powers of Municipal Government handbook.
Under South Carolina law, municipalities may choose to structure themselves with one of three forms of government: the mayor-council form, the council form or the council-manager form. Changing the form of government requires a referendum. The legislative functions of city and town councils work the same across all three forms, but other functions differ in important ways.
The handbook explains the powers given by state law to mayors, councils and city managers or administrators under the different forms. It also describes who performs administrative duties under each of the three structures, who supervises departments and appoints and removes employees, and when officials can delegate authority.
“Forms of Municipal Government” will also be one of the course sessions of the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government on September 16. The institute will offer that session as well as “Municipal Economic Development” at the councils of governments offices in Florence, Georgetown, Greenville and North Charleston, and at the Municipal Association’s office in Columbia. Learn more online.