Introduction to Local Government

Lots of local governments in SC! Around 700 total: about 270

municipal; 46 County; 310 Spd’s; about 80 school districts

Dillon’s Rule

• Based on ruling from John Dillon of the Iowa Supreme Court

• Made local government “creatures of the state”

• All power came from state• Could only do what state specifically

allowed—created very fragmented system• Existed in SC until the start of “home rule”

in 1970s – change still incomplete

Major Types of Local Government

1. Counties—hybrid govt: services + admin arm of state govt

2. Municipalities or cities

3. Special purpose districts

4. School districts

1 and 2 are general purpose govts

3 and 4 are limited purpose govts

Home rule and when happened in S.C.

• Local governments would operate under a framework of general laws, not special legislation that only applies to a single local government

• Legislature still violates this general rule—e.g. a law that allowed golf carts to be driven in Richland Co passed in 2007

• Began in 1973 when Constitution amended – legislature gradually implemented

Forms of City Govt Allowed• Strong Mayor

– About 60% of cities

– Council of at least 4 decide sevices, budget and taxes

– Elected mayor is chief admin officer and sits on council as presiding officer

– May or may not hire city administrator

• Weak Mayor—2nd popular & flexible form– Mayor elected w/no formal powers but council may

delegate powers & city administrator

• Council Manager—used in about 30 cities– Like weak mayor except manager duties specified by

state law and uniform across state

Forms of County Government• Council Form: 7 counties—all exec/leg powers in

council—may designate chair with some admin powers

• Council Administrator: 32 counties (Aiken and most large counties)--administrator appointed to carry out executive powers

• Council Manager: only 2 counties—very similar to administrator form except that Treasurer and Auditor may be appointed rather than elected

• Council Supervisor: 5 counties (small ones)—elected supervisor presides over council, but votes only in case of tie, has executive powers, functions much like strong mayor

Impact of Progressive Movement on Local Government

• Movement in late 1800s till WWI aimed at reducing corruption in govt

• Specifically aimed at power of political parties and party machines

• Reforms: nonpartisan elections; isolated dates; at-large; primaries; council manager form of government; civil service; competitive bidding

• Reduced voter turnout and gave power to more privileged—inadvertently supports traditionalistic culture

Suburbanization: Good and Bad

• Major demographic trend in middle to late 1900s• Made possible by auto and roads• Provided the American Dream of house and

yard for kids with access to jobs and cultural amenities

• Allowed beneficiaries to avoid taxes which hurt cities

• Congestion/sprawl; energy inefficient; pollution; white flight; destruction of wetlands and habitat

• Countertrends: New Urbanism and Smart Growth

Issues Facing Local Government?

• Growth and avoiding sprawl• Increasing demands for services, esp health

care as population ages and old move South• Congestion and traffic flow• Annexation—cities can’t grow or plan• Planning versus property rights• Technology—price and privacy issues and lost

sales taxes over internet• Changing ethnic make-up creates conflicts

Example of Aiken City Government Agenda

• Link