City Quick Connect Podcast From The Municipal Association Of South Carolina

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.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk about the Senate’s work on the state budget, legislative work on police reform and training, and the bill addressing first responder workers’ compensation after traumatic events.

Act 176 requires cities and towns to rebalance their business license tax rates so that the standardization work in 2021 does not create a revenue windfall during the 2022 business license cycle. Field Services Managers Charlie Barrineau and Jeff Shacker describe the process and the ways that Municipal Association of SC staff can help. More information: https://www.masc.sc/Pages/legislative/Standardization-Fair-for-All-H4431.aspx

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act, budget provisos and a bill addressing workers' compensation due to mental injury.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the vaping bill and the budget provisos that would impact municipal audit funding and requirements.

Loss Control Manager Bethany Pendley and Public Safety Loss Control Consultant Christopher Radcliff talk about the causes and dangers of distracted driving, and how municipalities and their employees can guard against it.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk about the bill that would prevent employers from taking action against employees who choose not to get the COVID-19 vaccine, the Senate’s passage of the municipal parking bill and the American Rescue Plan.