Municipalities Bob Botsch, Copyright incorporated cities in SC 40% of population lives in 90% of muni’s are < 5k in population

Where people live who are not in cities or rural areas Suburbs Outskirts of cities in areas that are not incorporated or in “doughnut holes” Postal addresses can be misleading –E.g., some N Aug addresses are actually in Edgefield Co –Many city addresses are not really in city

Steps to incorporation-- Not easy, e.g. Graniteville 1.Minimum population: at least 300/sq mi 2.Not within 5 miles of existing city (agreement of adjacent city can get around this) 3.Do service feasibility study w/ geographic limits and how needs will be met 4.Petition to Sec of State: 15% of property owners and at least 50 voters sign 5.Hold public meeting 6.Election on yes/no; name; election procedures; terms for council/mayor (Graniteville voted no by >2 to 1) 7.If yes, then SC Sec State issues incorporation certificate

Annexation: S.C. vs N.C.? S.C. arguments: Allows individual property owners more choice Allows property owners to minimize taxes Minimizes government control over land use Allows people to form small towns where each person has more power

Annexation--continued N.C. Arguments (easy process) Avoids “free riders” who benefit from city but do not pay costs Helps control sprawl and congestion— more orderly development Protects property values by more zoning Minimizes defensive incorporation and proliferation of small towns that do little Promotes for economy of scale

Alternative forms of Municipal Government (set up by Home Rule Act of 1975) Mayor-Council or Strong Mayor—most popular (59%)—mayor as CEO (Charleston) Council or Weak Mayor—second most popular (about 30%) and most flexible Council-Manager—mayor presides and votes and acts as symbolic leader—least popular (about 10%) (e.g. Aiken)

Services Provided by Municipalities Police and fire—or joint public safety (Aiken) Water Garbage Sewage Building code Recreation Planning/zoning Parking Libraries Streets and roads EMS

Income for Municipalities Sources –Taxes (property) –License fees (including retail license fees) –Permits –State grants –Federal grants Spending--most on personnel—usually police/fire

How federal/state Rules/laws affect personnel policy in local govt EEOC regulations—race/gender Equal Pay Act Age discrimination (>40 yrs old) ADA—make accommodations that do not involve legitimate occupational qualifications S.C. is “employment at will” state, meaning that you can be fired for almost any reason, but limited by handbooks which are considered enforceable contracts