§ 2-24. Chairman.

As specified by law, the County Council shall select one of its members to serve as chairman for a term of two years at the initial meeting of the council in January following each general election. If the former chairman of the County Council continues to serve on the County Council, either by reelection to the County Council or by continuation of his four-year term, the former chairman shall open the initial meeting of the council in January and preside over the meeting until the County Council shall hold election for the position of chairman. Once the County Council has elected its chairman, the newly elected chairman shall preside over the remainder of the meeting. If the former chairman of the County Council does not continue to serve or is otherwise unavailable to serve at the initial meeting in January following a general election and if the former vice-chairman will continue to serve, either by reelection or continuation of his four-year term, then the vice-chairman shall open the initial meeting of the council in January and preside over the meeting until the County Council shall hold election for the position of chairman. If neither the former chairman nor former vice-chairman is available to serve at the initial meeting in January following a general election, then the member of the County Council with the longest period of continuous service on the County Council shall preside over the initial meeting in January until a new chairman is elected. If two or more members share the status of having the longest period of continuous service, then the oldest of those members shall open the meeting. Any vacancy in the chairmanship shall be filled by the council for the unexpired portion of the term. The chairman shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the council. In addition, the chairman shall:

(1)

Execute, on behalf of the council, ordinances, resolutions, directives, deeds, bonds, contracts and other official instruments or documents;

(2)

Appoint committees subject to approval of the council;

(3)

Act as public relations agent in explaining council policy and authority to the public and interested individuals;

(4)

Confer with other agencies and interested parties on proposals and problems that arise in the interim between council meetings, and report the results of his discussion with any tentative plans, at the next council meeting;

(5)

Call special meetings on notice or upon consent and waiver of notice for the transaction of urgent or important business.

(Code 1981, § 2.103; Code 1985, § 2-17; Ord. No. 08-658, § 1, 2-12-2008)

State law reference

Selection of officers, S.C. Code 1976, § 4-9-110.