The three forms of municipal government in South Carolina — council, mayor-council and council-manager — have plenty of differences, but they also have similarities as well.
Question: Of the four powers listed below, three of the powers belong to the full council, no matter which form of government the municipality uses. Which of these statutory powers does not rest with the council under every form of government?
a. Appointing a municipal attorney and municipal court judgesb. Electing a mayor pro tempore from its membershipc. Appointing the municipal clerkd. Exercising sole authority to adopt laws and policies
Answer: C, appointing the municipal clerk. In the council-manager form, the manager — not council — appoints the clerk.
Information on how all three forms of government operate can be found in the Forms and Powers of Municipal Government handbook.