Overview of Palmetto State Governments Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute March 9, 2016 Presented By: Jon B. Pierce, Ph.D. South Carolina State Government LEGISLATIVE DOMINANCE State Government Structure As a result of partial restructuring in 1993 we have a “hybrid” state organizational structure Constitutional offices Legislative branch Judicial branch Cabinet departments Independent agencies 1
Major Changes and Impacts of 1992-93 Restructuring More than half of state government untouched (structurally) by restructuring Consolidated 75 agencies into 17 Created 3 new agencies; Revenue and Taxation, Public Safety, and Commerce A number of agencies became divisions of the governor’s office Governor gained power to remove most of the boards and commission members Legislature retained control of local governments and the judicial branch Created a somewhat simpler state structure Created administrative law judges Enhanced the power of the governor through cabinet, appointment powers, executive budget Somewhat diminished legislative dominance Some regulatory reform particularly in the purchasing and human resources area A reduction in agency legislative lobbying efforts by cabinet departments and governor’s divisions Information the legislature gets is much more controlled and constrained 2
Restructuring in the 2000s Department of Motor Vehicles Department of Transportation Department of Employment and Workforce Public Employee Benefit Authority State Fiscal Accountability Board Department of Administration THE LEGISLATURE IS STILL DOMINANT! South Carolina Local Governments 3
Types of Local Governments Counties – every South Carolinian lives in a county Municipalities – about 35% of South Carolinians live in a municipality School Districts – every South Carolinian lives in a school district Special Purpose Districts – a smaller number live in a special purpose district Municipalities 270 municipalities* Great variation in services delivered Most are very small (210 less than 5,000 population) Three forms of government – Council 81 – Mayor/Council 157 – Council/Manager 32 Counties 46 counties Some variation in services delivered Population varies greatly from the smallest ( McCormick – 9,958) to the largest (Greenville – 379,612) Four forms of government Council – 6 – Council/Supervisor – 4 – Council/Administrator – 34 – Council/Manager – 2 – 4
Cherokee York Spartanburg Pickens Greenville Oconee Lancaster Union Chester Chesterfield Marlboro Anderson Laurens Dillon Fairfield Kershaw Newberry Darlington Abbeville Greenwood Lee Florence Saluda Richland Marion Lexington Horry Sumter Mccormick Edgefield Clarendon Calhoun Williamsburg Aiken Orangeburg Georgetown Barnwell Bamberg Berkeley Dorchester Allendale Colleton Forms of Government Hampton Charleston Council Administrator Supervisor Jasper Manager Beaufort Pre-Home Rule County Government The role of counties was very limited; “county purpose doctrine.” This limited role plus the restrictive annexation laws in South Carolina led to the proliferation of special purpose districts in the state. The legislative delegation, in particular the resident senator, ruled supreme. The county budget was passed by the legislature as local legislation and was called the “county supply bill.” Once the legislative delegation agreed it was enacted automatically by the General Assembly. “Home-Rule” In 1966 the General Assembly created a Constitution Revision Committee to recommend changes to the Constitution. The local changes recommended by the Constitutional Revision Committee were put before the people in 1972 and were ratified in 1973 as Article VIII of the State Constitution. Forces leading to “modern” SC counties – Increased urbanization One Man –One Vote – Reynolds v. Sims (1964) – Increased complexity of county services, governance – Fragmentation of legislative power – 5
After intense bargaining and compromise, implementing legislation was enacted in 1975. Usually referred to as the Home Rule law. The Act provides for 3 forms of government for municipalities and 5 forms for counties (one of which, the commission form was ruled unconstitutional) Method for changing form of government is found in 4-9-10. The Act designated the general powers of county governments. Counties derive their powers and duties today from our state’s constitution and statutes; counties do not have inherent powers. School Districts 81 school districts (also 4 special districts) 763,588 students for the 2015-16 school year Vary greatly in terms of student population; Greenville – 76,285 to Barnwell 19 – 688 Enjoy different levels of fiscal autonomy – Autonomous 13 – Limited authority 37 – No authority 35 *45 day average daily membership (SC Department of Education) Special Purpose Districts Number – depends on the source (200-over 500) Created by the General Assembly prior to Home Rule to provide one or a very few services Were created to respond to demands for services that the counties could not constitutionally nor statutorily provide Impact of restrictive annexation laws and “county purpose doctrine” on proliferation 6
Most Common SPD Service Areas Fire Recreation Water and sewer Watershed and drainage Councils of Governments 10 regional councils of governments in SC Geographic regions created by General Assembly Created by voluntary cooperation of two or more counties Primary rationale for creation was to foster intergovernmental relations and to address issues that were beyond the capacity of individual jurisdictions to address Powers and duties found in Sec. 6-7-140 Composition, type and level of services, and funding patterns vary from region to region 7
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