Irmo Town Council recently voted on first reading to change its form of municipal government from council to council-manager. In this form of government, an elected council appoints a manager to oversee day-to-day administration.

There are 15 municipalities within Lexington County operating under three forms of government: council-manager, mayor-council and council, according to the county’s website and the Municipal Association of South Carolina website.

“Although each of the three forms have unique structures, some things remain the same in all instances,” according to MASC. “For example, in all three forms of municipal government in South Carolina, all legislative and policy making authority rests with the council. All councils must meet at least one time per month and comply with the notice and agenda requirements in the SC Freedom of Information Act. In all cases, the mayor, or a majority of council, can call special meetings.”

Meanwhile, the state recognizes four kinds of government for counties, including the council-administrator form, which is what Lexington County Council falls under. The other three kinds that S.C. counties can operate using include council-manager, council-supervisor and council. 

In the council-administrator form, the administrator is appointed and employed by the county council. The administrator is to be the head of the county government responsible for administration across all departments, but the administrator is still subject to the council's control.

Here are the three kinds of municipal government recognized in South Carolina, which all of Lexington County's towns and cities fall under.

Council-Manager (Batesburg-Leesville, Cayce and Columbia)
The council-manager form of government allows the elected town council and mayor to focus on policies and hire a city manager to supervise the administrative work. All legislative and policymaking authority stays with the council except for the duties assigned to the city manager and city staff. This manager can also only be appointed or dismissed by the entire council, not one councilperson or mayor. The council itself employs the manager, city attorney and judge.

Mayor-Council, also known as the strong mayor form (Chapin, Gaston, Pelion and Summit)
The mayor-council form of government gives the mayor the role of chief executive officer with a supervisory position over the town staff. The mayor has the same voting power on council as the other members. Council can still hire a city administrator to assist the mayor, but this administrator does not have the same duties as a city manager in the council-manager form.

Council, also known as the weak mayor form (Irmo as of now, Gilbert, Pine Ridge, South Congaree, Springdale, Swansea, Lexington and West Columbia)
In the council form of government, the town council has either five, seven or nine council members, including the mayor. The council and mayor hold all legislative and administrative power. The mayor has no more authority than any other council member and only oversees day-to-day administrative work if authorized by the council. A city administrator can be hired in this form of government, and the council appoints the municipal clerk, city attorney and judge.