Download the New Municipal Association of SC App

The founding principles of the Municipal Association of SC include offering the programs, services and tools that provide municipal officials the knowledge and experience to operate their local governments to the best of their ability. The Association’s newly launched app provides a new way for local officials to pursue those goals, giving a mobile-friendly way to interact with the Association, and connect with its educational and legislative resources. 

Users can use the new app to review upcoming training opportunities on the Association’s calendar. They can also use it to find municipal job openings throughout South Carolina, and find the staff listing for the Association. The app connects users with the Municipal Online Directory, which allows them to search municipalities and their officials in a number of ways, including browsing municipalities by population, or by their state representative or senator. The app can also serve as a helpful tool during meetings, training sessions and conferences for agendas, attendee lists and event information.

Previously, the Association offered standalone event apps for its Annual Meeting and Hometown Legislative Action Day. Now, those events are part of this more comprehensive app. Attendees at these meetings can read about each session and create a personalized schedule. They can also access contact information and communicate directly with speakers, exhibitors and sponsors.

The Association app is available for download on the App Store and on Google Play. 

To learn more about the app, contact Russell Cox at 803.933.1206 or rcox@masc.sc.

Sunshine Week Focuses on Transparency

Each March, Sunshine Week spotlights the value of sharing public information and the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. In the spirit of Sunshine Week, taking place this March 13 – 19, the Municipal Association of SC is drawing attention to numerous resources to help local governments meet South Carolina’s standards for governmental transparency. 

The Association created a new video series on the Freedom of Information Act’s effect on city councils using executive session as part of their council meetings. In these videos, the Association’s General Counsel Eric Shytle examines several key points and commonly-asked questions about executive session and FOIA. The law allows councils to enter into closed sessions during a public meeting, but only for very narrowly-defined reasons. The law outlines the steps that councils must take to enter into executive session, and prohibits any votes — or even informal polling of councilmembers — during executive session. 

The Association’s Uptown publication celebrates open government in its March issue every year. For 2022, it sought out the perspectives of journalists who cover municipal government in South Carolina, sharing how transparency can help keep the public informed about the governments closest to them. The featured reporters drew attention to the difficulties that can arise when governments try to slow down or stop the release of public information. 

Another article looks at how municipal clerks develop and distribute meeting agendas and agenda packets — key pieces of public information that let the press and public know what business the council will discuss in a meeting. The issue also includes an article that explains the basics of handling public comment periods while keeping public meetings effective and orderly. 

In South Carolina, the SC Press Association serves as a major promoter of the importance of FOIA and governmental transparency, helping to ensure the public has access to relevant information and that the governments that represent them are held to the highest standards. For an overall look at FOIA specifics, see the SC Press Association’s Public Official's Guide to Compliance With South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act.

Statements of Economic Interest Due March 30

The State Ethics Commission requires municipal elected officials and others to annually complete Statement of Economic Interests forms that aim for transparency on any potential personal benefit that a public position could create. 

In a significant change for 2022, the commission has released a new electronic filing portal that allows users to submit their cell phone numbers to receive text messaging notifications if they miss the March 30 deadline. Completing the form by the deadline is critical for officials and others who are required to do so because once the SEI becomes overdue, fines can start increasing daily until they hit maximum amounts. 

The State Ethics Commission’s website offers guidance on the forms. Here are some of the basics of what it covers and who must complete it: 

What is an economic interest? 

The Ethics Reform Act, found at SC Code Section 8-13-100(11)(a), defines an economic interest as "an interest distinct from that of the general public” in a transaction in an amount where the public official or employee gains an economic benefit of at least $50. It could be a 

• purchase, 
• sale, 
• lease, 
• contract, 
• option, or 
• “other form of transaction or arrangement involving property or services.”

Who must complete an SEI form? 

• Elected officials 
• Candidates for office 
• Chief administrative officials, including for water and sewer districts 
• Chief finance and chief purchasing officers

 
What family members should be included when reporting income?

• Spouses
• Children who reside in the household 
• Anyone else claimed as a dependent

Reportable income includes anything of value reported on an IRS form. 

What economic interests should be reported? 

• Real estate interests, including those of immediate family members, if it could create a conflict of interest 
• Public improvements (streets, lighting, water systems) valued at $200 for personal property or adjoining property
• Real or personal property sold, leased or rented to a public entity What business relationships must be reported?
• Every business or other entity in which the official or immediate family member has a 5% or greater interest in the value, so long as the value of the interest exceeds $100,000 
• Any compensation received from a business that contracts with the municipality

Civility, Relationships the Focus of 2022 Hometown Legislative Action Day

Hometown Legislative Action Day on February 1, bringing together representatives from South Carolina’s cities and towns in person for the first time since 2020, focused many of its sessions on the value of relationships. HLAD sessions always stress the importance of maintaining open lines of dialogue between local leaders and their State House delegations. This year’s sessions added an emphasis on the relationships among the members of a city council, and their relationship with their residents. 

Civility and managing conflict 

At a time when productive discourse seems to be eroding across many levels of government, the Municipal Association of SC is focusing many of its efforts in 2022 on a renewed emphasis on civility in government. 

In a key HLAD session, Matt Lehrman of Social Prosperity Partners discussed how to identify a community’s shared values and make people feel heard, respected and empowered. Building a career on the idea that disagreement is often not “only natural, it’s necessary,” Lehrman has said that “it should always be possible to address sensitive and complex issues in ways that strengthen communitywide feelings of inclusion and trust.” 

The evening before HLAD, Lehrman also recorded a podcast with Municipal Association Director of Advocacy and Communications Scott Slatton about how to move conflicts in city government discourse to a point where productive conversation is possible. 

Legislative panels 

Each year, advocacy lies at the heart of the Hometown Legislative Action Day, and this year’s agenda featured numerous panel discussions on current legislative issues. 

• 
  In the law enforcement reform legislative panel, Reps. Chandra Dillard, Tommy Pope and Chris Wooten, and Sen. Shane Massey discussed current law enforcement reform proposals, such as those in H3050. 
• The Municipal Association has recently expanded its focus on advocating for the interests of South Carolina’s cities and towns at the federal level. At HLAD, a federal advocacy panel discussion brought together Alyssa Leigh Richardson, state director and deputy chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, as well as David O’Neal, district director for U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman. The panel discussed how local government leaders can foster strong relationships with the congressional representatives. 
• During the HLAD political outlook panel discussion, veteran political experts from both sides of the aisle talked about upcoming election cycles. The panel featured Reagan Kelley, director of communications and legislative policy for the South Carolina Senate Majority Caucus, and Antjuan Seawright of Blueprint Strategy, LLC. 
• Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon offered the report of the Municipal Association’s legislative committee, after which the Association’s advocacy team talked through numerous key issues currently debated at the State House. Scott Slatton, director of advocacy and communications, as well as Legislative and Public Policy Advocates Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright briefed attendees on the legislative initiatives that the Municipal Association is following at the State House. 

Messages from Municipal Association leadership 

In her remarks as the president of the Municipal Association, City of Rock Hill Councilmember Kathy Pender praised the ways that South Carolina’s cities and towns have risen to the challenges of the pandemic, and what will come next for the state’s municipalities.

Pender quoted the recently deceased Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who said that “hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” 

“Be that light to your community and to South Carolina,” Pender said. “Be that light to your colleagues, staff and legislators.” 

In his remarks, Todd Glover, executive director of the Municipal Association of SC, highlighted the impact of legislative advocacy for South Carolina’s cities and towns, and described the Association’s strategic plan for the coming years: economic development, workforce and civility in government. 

2020 Census results 

Demographer Jerome McKibben presented an analysis of what the 2020 Census means to South Carolina. The state’s population, while growing by 10.7% from 2010 to 2020, is still experiencing a slowdown of growth — the growth was 15.3% in 2010. He attributed the slowdown to a slowing rate of net in-migration, and a shrinking level of natural increase — the excess of births over deaths. About half of South Carolina’s counties, 24 in total, experienced declining populations. 

Learn more about Hometown Legislative Action Day.

2022 Hometown Legislative Action Day Arrives Tuesday, February 1

Hometown Legislative Action Day will return to its traditional form in 2022 as an in-person, single day event that calls attention to the issues that matter to cities and towns and fosters relationships between state legislators and municipal governments. 

Taking place Tuesday, February 1 at the Marriott Columbia, HLAD will offer sessions highlighting the Municipal Association’s Advocacy Initiatives. In a General Session, Matt Lehrman will discuss how to encourage civility between municipal officials and the residents they serve through meaningful community conversation, and SC Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey will speak during lunch. 

Also on the agenda for Hometown Legislative Action Day are topics such as an analysis of the results of the 2020 census for South Carolina’s cities and towns, a roundtable discussion of law enforcement reform with members of the General Assembly, and a highlight of what the SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program and SC First Responder Assistant and Support Team can do for first responders. The Municipal Association of SC has expanded its focus on advocating for the interests of South Carolina’s cities and towns at the federal level, and one of the sessions will feature a panel discussion with members of Sen. Tim Scott’s and Rep. Ralph Norman’s offices. 

Download the app 

The Municipal Association’s new app offers details on training opportunities, advocacy updates and job openings, among other resources. Those registered for HLAD and the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government on February 2 can also use the app to follow along with the agenda, connect with the speakers, attendees and get updates. Download the app from Google Play and the App Store. Launch the event app by selecting “More” in the bottom menu. 

Parking 

There is limited parking for HLAD participants in the parking garage behind the Marriott, which has entrances on Hampton and Sumter streets, for $10 per day, payable by cash. Meeting attendees and hotel guests may not park above level 4-A in this garage, or they will be towed. 

Additional parking is available at the Cannon parking garage located at 1227 Taylor St., one block from the hotel. At the Cannon garage on Taylor Street, there is a special events attendant in the garage from 7 – 11 a.m. Attendees must pay the special events attendant $10 by cash only and place a parking ticket on the car dashboard. 

More information 

Beyond HLAD, there are some other steps city and town officials can also take to keep up with what’s happening at the State House: 

• Subscribe to From the Dome to Your Home, the Association’s weekly legislative report delivered by email every Friday during the session. The report takes a look at what’s happening with the Association’s Advocacy Initiatives as well as any other legislation with an impact on cities and towns. 
• Listen to the City Quick Connect podcast, where the Association’s advocacy staff discuss the week’s legislative happenings during the session.

Join or Renew With an Affiliate Association in 2022

Educational efforts are a key function of the Municipal Association of SC, which offers professional development that allows elected officials and staff to serve their cities and towns better. 

The Association has affiliate organizations that help communities of peers in various fields of local government to network, learn through specially developed training and share best practices and experiences. The affiliate associations have listserve systems that make sharing information and best practices around the state easier and faster. 

The 2021 Annual Meeting of the Municipal Technology Association of SC in Charleston covered topics ranging from cyberattacks to ransomware prevention, cloud computing and legal issues for IT professionals. 

The Municipal Association provides management support to the boards of directors for each affiliate, a group elected by that affiliate’s membership. 

All of the affiliates’ membership applications and renewals for 2022 are now available. The nominal membership costs provide each participant with discounted training registrations and access to that group’s closed listserve. 

The Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute, sponsored in part by the SC Municipal Finance Officers, Clerks and Treasurers Association, has trained and graduated officials since 1979. 

The affiliate organizations are these: 

Municipal Court Administration Association of SC 

MCAA provides training for court administrators, clerks of court, municipal judges and other employees involved in court administration. Staff contact: Sara Whitaker

Municipal Technology Association of SC 

MTASC exposes members to a broad range of technology systems, platforms and solutions. It offers training for IT staff, those with GIS responsibilities and employees working in other departments but whose duties include technology services. Staff contact: Sara Whitaker 

SC Association of Municipal Power Systems 

SCAMPS focuses on legislative initiatives, mutual aid and provides training for elected officials, management staff and operational personnel of the electric cities in the state. Staff contact: Elizabeth Copeland 

SC Association of Stormwater Managers
SCASM offers quarterly training on stormwater management policies and best practices. Training addresses topics like proposed changes to stormwater regulations and case studies of innovative practices. Staff contact: Sara Whitaker 

SC Business Licensing Officials Association 

BLOA promotes best practices for administering the local business and professional license tax through training, networking and the Accreditation in Business Licensing and Masters in Business Licensing credentials. Staff contact: Elizabeth Copeland 

SC Community Development Association 

SCCDA training focuses on economic and community development needs, best practices and successful case studies. Members come from local and state government as well as private industry, elected positions and volunteer positions. Staff contact: Sara Whitaker 

SC Municipal Attorneys Association 

The MAA annual training, designed for city and town attorneys, complies with the Supreme Court of South Carolina Commission on CLE and specialization requirements for continuing education credits. Staff contact: Eric Shytle 

SC Municipal Finance Officers, Clerks and Treasurers Association 

MFOCTA training covers the diverse job responsibilities of its members. MFOCTA sponsors the Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute with the Municipal Association and the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center for Livable Communities. Staff contact: Elizabeth Copeland 

SC Municipal Human Resources Association 

MHRA helps members stay current on state and federal labor law and court rulings. Its trainings are accepted by national human resources organizations for continuing education credits. Staff contact: Sara Whitaker 

SC Utility Billing Association 

SCUBA trains members on utility billing, collections and customer service. Programs frequently focus on customer service skills, workplace safety and best practices in utility billing and collections. Staff contact: Ken Ivey 

Join an affiliate online or by contacting the Association’s staff.

A Look Back on My Year as President of the National League of Cities

By NLC Immediate Past President Kathy Maness, councilmember from the Town of Lexington, SC 

Kathy Maness speaks at the Congressional City Conference as the NLC president. 

Since March of 2020, a multitude of crises have converged on municipalities including weather disasters, the economic downturn and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As a councilwoman from Lexington, I know just how challenging it can be to tackle these issues in my community and I was glad for the state and national support we received from the Municipal Association of SC and the National League of Cities. 

NLC is the nation’s oldest and largest advocacy organization, serving as the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people across the country.

In November 2020, I was elected as the first person from South Carolina to serve as president of the National League of Cities. During this year, the COVID-19 pandemic turned our world upside down. 

And as President, I made sure that NLC worked hand-in-hand with the Municipal Association of SC and other municipal leagues across the country to help our cities and towns respond, recover and rebuild from the impact of the pandemic. 

Immediately following NLC’s Congressional City Conference in March 2020, stay-at-home orders were issued across the country. 

Throughout the pandemic, municipal leaders took action for their residents and continued the important work of running our communities. In Lexington, we stablished a $1 million loan program to aid in-town businesses impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also provided a rebate program aimed at investing $250,000 back into small businesses in 30 days. 

From helping small businesses, supporting food banks and giving critical support to residents, the work and leadership of local officials from across the nation and especially in South Carolina were critical in keeping our residents moving forward – but we couldn’t do it alone.

I am so proud of all the work that the National League of Cities, in close partnership with state municipal leagues such as Municipal Association of SC, did to support local leaders and ensure federal relief for our communities during my year as president. It took more than a year of lobbying and making our case that Cities Are Essential to the media, but, in the end, we delivered for municipalities in South Carolina and across the country. 

In March of 2021, American Rescue Plan Act delivered $65.1 billion dollars in federal relief to cities, towns and villages across America. More than $620 million went directly to municipalities in South Carolina. 

Last month, the BIPARTISAN infrastructure bill was passed marking an important turning point for our nation’s infrastructure, with historic investments supporting South Carolina communities rebuild with more than $6 billion for much needed improvements to our roads, bridges, water and broadband. 

That past year has been truly challenging and it has taught us that we all will always have both new and old issues to address. However, I’m grateful it has also shown us all we can accomplish together and that we are never alone in facing the obstacles ahead.

Monthly Business Licensing Virtual Trainings Begin in January

Each month in 2022, the Municipal Association’s Local Revenue Services will host “Business Licensing Essentials,” a series of virtual meetings, each tackling one element of the business licensing process. The first session, covering renewal notices, will take place Wednesday, January 12 from 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Act 176, the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act, created a new statewide business license year beginning May 1 and ending the following April 30. As a result, those cities and others should issue their license renewal notices earlier than in the past. 

For the first year under this new schedule, cities and towns should, as a best practice, send out renewal notices in January or February 2022. The notice should feature explanations of the new law, including how it works as a solution to longstanding business concerns about the licensing process, how it standardizes many of the practices, and how it established the online Local Business License Renewal Center. The notice should also include the locally-determined penalty date and penalty amount for business that do not renew their licenses on time. 

As 2022 progresses, the Local Revenue Services training sessions will focus on topics such as manufacturers, calculating business license rates correctly and records retention. The aim for these sessions is to allow business licensing expertise to be shared from the Municipal Association staff and for business licensing professionals to share knowledge and ask questions in a monthly forum. While each session will have a topic, attendees will also be able to ask questions of the Local Revenue Services staff. 

Act 176 streamlines the business license process for all jurisdictions across the state. The Municipal Association staff produced a wealth of information about the new law and how to comply with it. 

Sign up for January’s Business Licensing Essentials event on the Municipal Association’s training calendar.

Impacts of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal in South Carolina

In November, Congress passed the $550 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, a major piece of legislation which will impact South Carolina in many ways. The Municipal Association of SC is participating in the White House briefing sessions to understand how the BID will work locally.

Information is still limited and subject to change in 2022, but there is some information available now. 

• Roads and bridges – Under preliminary estimates, South Carolina can expect to receive $4.6 billion in federal aid for highway programs and $274 million for repairing and replacing bridges, all during a five-year period, likely beginning once the funds have been allocated. 
• Public transportation – Current formula funding indicates that South Carolina may receive $366 million for public transportation improvements — for vehicle replacements, electric vehicles and accessibility upgrades — over five years. 
• Electric vehicle network – South Carolina may receive $70 million over five years for expanding the state’s EV charging network. 
• Broadband – South Carolina will receive at least $100 million to help establish broadband coverage across the state. 
• Climate change and cybersecurity – Based on historical formula funding levels, South Carolina can expect to receive $15 million over five years to protect against wildfires and $18.3 million to protect against cyberattacks.   
• Water infrastructure – Based on the traditional State Revolving Fund formula, South Carolina will expect to receive $510 million over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state.  
• Airports – South Carolina airports can expect to receive approximately $161 million for airport infrastructure development over five years for repair, maintenance, and the reduction of congestion and emissions. 

The White House’s Executive Order on Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — the former name of the BID — established an Infrastructure Implementation Task Force to coordinate the law’s implementation. The co-chair of the task force is encouraging states and local governments to establish an infrastructure coordinator role for BID project management.

Find more information about local impacts of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal here. The Municipal Association will share additional federal guidance as it becomes available. 

The Municipal Association has recently expanded its focus on advocating for the interests of South Carolina’s cities and towns at the federal level. A recent podcast brought together Erica Wright, the member of the advocacy team tasked with federal outreach, with Director of Advocacy and Communications Scott Slatton and Manager for Municipal Advocacy Casey Fields to talk about how federal advocacy benefits South Carolina cities and towns.

Building Congressional Relationships for SC Cities and Towns

The Municipal Association of SC has expanded its focus on advocating for the interests of South Carolina’s cities and towns at the federal level, and already the effort has improved engagement with the state’s congressional delegation. 

A key part of this effort has been the establishment of a dedicated congressional liaison — a role assigned to Erica Wright, who joined the Association’s staff as a legislative and public policy advocate in April 2020. She has since nurtured relationships with the staffs of both of South Carolina’s senators and each of its seven representatives. 

A recent podcast brought together Erica Wright with Director of Advocacy and Communications Scott Slatton and Manager for Municipal Advocacy Casey Fields to talk about how these congressional relationships have unfolded and how they benefit cities and towns in South Carolina. 

Here are some highlights from the recent efforts: 

Outreach with municipalities 

The passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, in March 2020 highlighted the need for strong federal relationships when many cities and towns brought questions about reimbursable expenses to the Association. 

In March 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, a massive emergency relief bill that provides $65.1 billion to municipal governments nationwide to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Municipal Association worked to help cities and towns understand the parameters that the law creates for using the funds, and it helped the SC Department of Administration obtain needed information from the nonentitlement cities so they could draw their funds from the state. 

Outreach with the congressional delegation 

In September, Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon, first vice president of the Municipal Association, the Association’s Executive Director Todd Glover and members of the Association’s advocacy staff traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with members of the congressional delegation. Association staff shared the Municipal Association’s purpose and its desire to serve as a resource and partner with federal legislators as they explore legislation impacting local government. They met with House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, Sen. Tim Scott, Rep. Joe Wilson as well as staffers from the delegation’s offices. 

Municipal Association officials meet with Rep. Jim Clyburn, at center. 

In 2022, the Association is planning quarterly meetings with the congressional delegation, and it will host opportunities in each home congressional district for city and town officials to engage more directly with their representatives. 

Hometown Legislative Action Day 

The Association’s Hometown Legislative Action Day, taking place February 1 in Columbia, will feature congressional delegation staff members joining in a panel discussion on federal advocacy. Learn more about all HLAD sessions and register here.