First week of Regional Advocacy Meetings a Success

Columbia

The Municipal Association advocacy staff hit the road this week to start the annual series of Regional Advocacy Meetings. It's our favorite time of year that gives us the chance to get out of Columbia and hear about issues important to cities and towns.
 

Rock Hill

Close to 100 local officials and staff from 34 cities and towns gathered in Columbia and Rock Hill to learn about laws that passed in the 2015 session and discuss priorities for the 2016 session.

It's always interesting when we get on the road to see how lots of issues continue to come up over the years. Specifics may change but issues like roads, dilapidated buildings, financing and annexation have been around for decades. 

Check out this old photo from the Association's recently published history book to get a glimpse of priorities in the 1970s.

One focus of the meetings is training about new provisions in the Freedom of Information Act. S11 and a SC Supreme Court ruling changes requirements for posting meeting notices and entering executive session. 

The Association worked closely with the SC Press Association to develop specific guidance on how councils should go about making changes to a meeting agenda after it's been posted. Get the easy-to-follow flow chart to use when making changes to an agenda.

Regional Advocacy Meetings resume the week of August 31 with visits to Conway and Hartsville. It's not too late to sign up!