James Smith has been appointed as the new city attorney for the City of Cayce, bringing over three decades of experience, managing civil, business, real estate, land use, construction and governmental issues. 

Smith was appointed by council on Dec. 2. “I’m deeply grateful for the confidence and support of the Cayce City Council,” he said in the press release.  “I look forward to working closely with City Manager Mike Conley, Mayor Elise Partin, and Council in service to our citizens and in support of the continued progress of the City of Cayce.” 

Smith has served in senior leadership roles on the Judiciary Committee in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He also served 30 years in the South Carolina Army National Guard, including roles as a JAG officer and infantry lieutenant colonel.

“Just as James Smith has served our country and our state with honor, our city will now benefit from his legal expertise, integrity, and focus on helping move Cayce forward,” Mayor Elise Partin said in the release.  

In other news, Betsy Catchings, Cayce’s utilities director, is now the assistant city manager.  

Catchings, a Cayce native, has been recognized as the Water Environment Association of South Carolina Capital District Engineer of the Year, WEASC State Young Professional of the Year and recipient of the WEF/WEASC Arthur Sidney Bedel Award for extraordinary service. 

As utilities director, she oversaw a 25 MGD wastewater treatment facility, a 9.6 MGD water treatment facility, a 100,000-gallon pretreatment and grease and septic facility, a water and sewer distribution center and more. 

Catchings also enrolled utility operators in the Central Carolina Technical College water treatment certification course and helped the city secure funding.

“Betsy’s strong work ethic, dedication to our Cayce residents and twenty-plus years of engineering knowledge has provided money-saving solutions for our Utilities Department; and ultimately, our citizens. I am proud to have Betsy serving on our city management team along with myself and Wesley Crosby,” Cayce City Manager Michael Conley said in the release.