While the 70s were times of expanding the role of government, the 1980s were times of making local government more self-sufficient.
The Municipal Association changed its efforts from helping implement Home Rule to working with the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to find alternative sources of revenue for municipal government.
With implementation of the Reassessment Act of 1975 beginning in the early 1980s, homeowners were shocked as their property appeared on the tax rolls at fair market value. Prior to the 1975 Act, the 4 percent home value only changed after a sale. If a resident stayed in his home, the value never went up.
The Federal General Revenue Sharing Act of 1972, which had sent $85 billion to state and local governments, was repealed in 1986. Government leaders forecasted the need for other sources of revenue to reduce the burden on the homeowner.
The Association supported a series of legislative bills to broaden revenue options for municipalities. In 1984, the General Assembly passed a statewide accommodations tax and added tax increment financing as a tool for economic development. Negotiations began on a local option sales tax to give an additional source of revenue for local government and reduce property taxes. The legislation stalled in conference committee as the decade ended.
The first significant annexation law changes in 25 years passed in 1988. The 25 percent petition and election method became state law.
Cities and towns in South Carolina learned the benefit of collaborating under the umbrella of the Municipal Association. Pooled insurance programs through the Local Government Assurance Group (health) and the South Carolina Municipal Insurance Trust (workers compensation) gave municipalities more direct control over their insurance needs. Legislators amended the Setoff Debt Collection Act to allow municipal government participation.
The Association used technology pioneered by South Carolina ETV to broadcast by statewide closed circuit television a series on "Leadership in the 80s." The Association started the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government in 1986 and the Achievement Awards program one year later.
In 1985, the Association signed a memorandum of agreement with the South Carolina Association of Municipal Power Systems to provide staff support, making it the first formal affiliate of the Municipal Association.
In 1981, MASC moved from 1213 Lady Street to a building purchased by the Association located at 1529 Washington Street.