Municipal Association of South Carolina

Core Courses

Core courses are broadcast via satellite in the evening to the 10 regional councils of governments. Instructors are located in a Columbia television studio. Their presentations are transmitted to all the sites in a television show format. Participants at the sites have talk-back capability by e-mailing their questions and comments to the instructor while on the air. Also, time is set aside during the telecast for group discussions at each of the sites.

You've Been Elected: Now What?

The campaign is over - now the hard work begins. This session lays the groundwork as you begin your municipal service. Discover how to access resources to help you make the best possible decisions on behalf of your citizens.

The Freedom of Information Act in SC

To meet the public’s expectation of an open and responsive government, the Freedom of Information Act was enacted. Municipal officials must understand the requirements of this law including proper release of public documents and appropriate notice of public meetings. Proper use of executive sessions is also covered.

The Forms of Municipal Government

Your council operates under one of three forms of municipal government. What are the roles and responsibilities of individual council members and the mayor according to your form of government? Also, find out what the other forms are and how they differ from yours.

 

Basic Budgeting for Municipal Officials

Budgeting: it's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it. Before you can effectively have input into your municipality's budget, you must understand how the budget process works. Learn the mechanics of a mill and how property taxes are calculated. Get a step-by-step tour of developing a municipal budget, forecasting revenues and expenditures then putting the budget to work once it's adopted.

 

Benefits and Pitfalls of Economic Development

A thriving business community is not only important to the economic health of the city but also to the region and entire state. Municipal officials must determine what kind of economic development is right for their community, develop a plan then implement it. Presenters will discuss the process, identify available resources and provide real-life South Carolina examples of successful projects.

 

Session A

The City as an Employer

Your employees are the people who carry out council's policies. You want the best employees for your city, and you want the best for your employees. What are their rights and what are your responsibilities to them? Hear about topics such as employee handbooks, Fair Labor Standards Act, fringe benefits, hiring and firing, Americans with Disabilities Act and much more. 

 

An Overview of Local Government Planning and Zoning

This session covers why planning and zoning are necessary for all municipalities and the benefits a municipality receives from proper planning. Participants also will learn about the role of the planning commission and board of zoning appeals and state laws governing their operation.

 

Conducting Public Meetings

Does your town have rules of procedure for running council meetings? State law requires you to have and follow them. Once you understand and use proper rules of procedure, council meetings and public hearings will be easier to manage and more productive for your community.

Team Building/Goal Setting

The demands on local government leaders are tremendous. The ability to work with others as a team for the common good of the community is one of the strongest assets an elected official can possess. In this session, you'll learn tips for thinking strategically, translating ideas into strategies and working with others to put those strategies into action.

 

Session B

Municipal Finance

What's the difference between general obligation and revenue bonds? Should your government enter the realm of bonded indebtedness? Why are bond ratings so important and how are they determined? These are some of the questions addressed in this session.

 

Municipal Annexation, Mergers and Consolidation

South Carolina has one of the most restrictive annexation laws in the country. This nuts-and-bolts session gives successful strategies for properly annexing property. It will also explain how to merge or consolidate services with another governmental body. 

 

Business License Tax Administration

Business licensing can be a major source of municipal revenue, but state law is very specific about how to properly administer the tax. Is exempting individual businesses legal? Does state law require using gross receipts to calculate licenses? Find out the answers to these questions during this session. 

 

Liability of Municipalities and Elected Officials

At your council meetings, have you ever heard the expression "that might set us up for a lawsuit?" What is a tort claim? In this session, you'll discover how to avoid and prevent liability exposure for both your municipality and individual council members.

 

Ethics and Municipal Governance

This session will look in detail at the State Ethics Act. The Act dictates proper campaign procedures and other requirements for elected officials. The session will also review the annual report all elected officials must file with the State Ethics Commission.