The Town of Irmo has been making slight changes to policies and procedures over the last year that has updated the towns way of doing business both internally and with other municipalities. Now they want to completely change their form of government but not entirely.
The town discussed going to a council/manager form of government at their workshop on Tuesday, June 2 from a council form of government where it currently operates.
“This is more like housekeeping” said Irmo Town Administrator Jim Crosland. “We’re registered with the state as a council form of government but we have some ordinances that relate to a council/manager for of government. We want to match up are ordinances with what we’re designated at.”
The change will not affect the way the town has ran itself for decades. The town administrator always maintained the day to day business for Irmo relying on council to set the ordinances and overall priorities governing the town.
The change would name the town’s form of government for what it currently is, a council/manager .
In a council/manager government the day to day operations of hiring and firing town staff, yearly budget, law enforcement and keeping the council current on everything financial would be a part of the town administrators duties. Council would continue with four council members and a mayor and no additional powers added to their respected positions or responsibilities.
“When the town was smaller and had few employees it made sense for council members to take over departmental duties, but as the town grew the council got away from that years ago,” said Irmo Mayor Bill Danielson. “All we are doing now is making it legal and calling it what it is.”
The change would be voted on by council for a first reading at their June 16 regular council meeting and if passed will have a second reading in July. Afterwards both Richland and Lexington counties will be instructed to put town’s change of government on the ballot in November for the general election.
