City Quick Connect Podcast From The Municipal Association Of South Carolina

Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook, Williamston Police Chief Tony Taylor and Bluffton Public Information Officer Debbie Szpanka talk about planning for effective communication before a crisis and other communication considerations for building trust and protecting residents. Ryan Johnson of North Charleston moderates.

Meghan Walker, executive director of the SC State Ethics Commission, talks about ethics law compliance for elected officials.

Dr. Dave Ivan, a Michigan State University researcher who studies community change, discusses using the concept of hope when developing a vision for positive community change.

The Municipal Association’s field services managers, Charlie Barrineau and Jeff Shacker, discuss some of the most common questions they receive about the SC Freedom of Information Act.

Jim Stritzinger, broadband coordinator for the SC Office of Regulatory Staff; Irene Dumas Tyson, a master planner and community designer with the Boudreaux Group; and Jen Bonnett, vice president of innovation and entrepreneurship for the Savannah Economic Development Authority; talk about how communities can draw in remote employees as residents.

Municipal Association Executive Director Todd Glover discusses the Association’s support for the COVID-19 operations of cities and towns, the Association’s advocacy outreach, the new retail recruitment training program and the new joint purchasing program.

Outgoing Municipal Association President Cornelius Huff talks about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, local leadership during the public health emergency and successes of the Municipal Association during the past year.

Newly elected president of the Municipal Association Kathy Pender reflects on the past year of pandemic lessons as well as the value of municipal leadership and services.

The Municipal Association’s Risk Management Services has launched several training resources lately for members of the SC Municipal Insurance Trust and SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund, including videos available through LocalGovU. Learn more from Loss Control Manager Bethany Pendley.

For cities and towns that have not yet taken action on the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act, there is not much time left to work toward compliance and avoid problems in 2022. Scott Slatton and Caitlin Cothran explain.

The American Rescue Plan provides $65.1 billion to municipalities nationwide for various forms of pandemic recovery and response. Erica Wright, Jeff Shacker and Charlie Barrineau discuss when funding is available or is anticipated for cities and towns, as well as what local officials should be considering as they make plans for the funding. More information: https://www.masc.sc/Pages/legislative/American-Rescue-Plan.aspx

Earlier this year, Downtown Florence received accreditation as a Main Street America program for meeting the rigorous performance standards of the National Main Street Center. Main Street South Carolina Manager Jenny Boulware talks with Florence’s Development Manager Hannah Davis and Development Coordinator Rachel Baggett about what the accreditation means to Florence’s downtown program, and what’s next for Downtown Florence.

Scott Slatton and Caitlin Cothran talk about the legislative background of the SC Business License Tax Standardization Act’s regulations of third-party collection companies, and how the new rules work.

The Municipal Association’s new legislative and public policy advocates, Joannie Nickel and Erica Wright, talk about their experiences advocating for the Association for the first time during the 2021 session at the State House.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss the logic behind playing defense on bills advancing in the State House, including business licensing legislation, parking regulation and housing regulation.

Act 176 requires all local governments with a business license tax to use the same payment due date and accept a standard business license application. Manager for Collection Programs Caitlin Cothran explains. Learn more about business license standardization here: https://www.masc.sc/Pages/legislative/Standardization-Fair-for-All-H4431.aspx

Municipalities must redistrict their wards to reflect population and demographic information contained in the most recently released census. The 2020 census data release is delayed until later this year, and cities and towns must decide whether to go ahead with fall elections, or delay them. Municipal Association General Counsel Eric Shytle discusses the issues involved.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk through the sine die resolution, the tree removal bill, business license legislation and law enforcement reform bill.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the final days of the regular legislative session, the state’s budget, death penalty bill, municipal parking bill, Santee Cooper reform and open carry legislation.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about the Senate version of the state budget as well as advocacy by local officials on the issue of affordable workforce housing.