City Quick Connect Podcast from the Municipal Association of South Carolina

Caitlin Cothran and Eric Shytle discuss how adopting the new model business license ordinance fits into an overall effort of standardizing business license practices to comply with Act 176.

Scott Slatton discusses the progress of the abandoned buildings tax credit extension and the building codes bill, and Erica Wright provides an update of the latest information about the $1.9-trillion American Rescue Plan.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton discuss budget work including funding for the Firefighter Cancer Health Care Benefit Plan and PTSD treatment for first responders, the Tobacco Prevention Act and the federal American Rescue Plan.

Hear from Scott Slatton and Joannie Nickel about legislative action on the state budget, the workers’ compensation bill for first responders with PTSD, the municipal parking bill and the tort cap bill.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton take a look at the ports bond bill, the legislature’s budget work, the COVID-19 liability bill, the legislation for first responder post-traumatic stress disorder support and naloxone expansion.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the vaccine relief bill, the bill that would exempt some residential improvements from building permit requirements, and a bond bill for additional funds for ports, among other updates.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton take a look at the vaccine relief bill, tort claims bill, the legislation that would allow fire departments to recover training costs, and what’s coming up for the State House this week.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss amendments to the Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act, the municipal parking bill, changes to tort caps and the COVID-19 vaccine relief bill.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk about the progress of the abandoned buildings tax credit extension, the COVID-19 vaccine bill and the bill that would affect the way cities and towns can establish parking along state highways.

Casey Fields and Scott Slatton talk about virtual meetings for the SC House and Senate, the state’s work to advance vaccination efforts and changes to Senate rules.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields discuss the Municipal Association’s advocacy work on funding from the Local Government Fund and additional funding for the opioid antidote naloxone.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields talk about what legislative work at the State House is going to look like in the new term, including major issues facing the General Assembly and the Municipal Association’s Advocacy Initiatives.

Applications for the Municipal Association’s 2021 Achievement Awards are open through February 10. Communications Manager Meredith Houck explains what to consider when applying, including the different categories for cities and towns, and the submission process. More information: https://www.masc.sc/pages/municipalities/achievement-awards/default.aspx

There are several steps cities and towns should take in early 2021 with their business license data as they get ready for standardization. Manager for Collection Programs Caitlin Cothran discusses assigning codes to businesses and data preparation.

The new SC Business License Tax Standardization Act means that cities and towns must transition to a new way of administering this tax. Director of Advocacy and Communications Scott Slatton examines the law’s requirements and what the compliance process will look like in 2021.

The right to run for and hold office in a municipality has residency requirements, and the question of whether councilmembers meet the requirements can sometimes be difficult to answer. The Municipal Association’s General Counsel Eric Shytle and Field Services Manager Charlie Barrineau discuss the legal background of the question and how officials can approach it when it arises. Read the related U...

West Columbia won a 2020 Achievement Award from the Municipal Association for its River District redevelopment. Mayor Tem Miles discusses the many aspects of this economic development effort.

The City of Columbia won the Municipal Association’s 2020 Achievement Award in the Public Safety Category for its homeless court, which creates partnerships between the legal system and service providers, and can help those offenders who participate in it. Municipal Court Judge Gail Jabber explains how the court works.

The Municipal Association of SC has now launched a new listserve platform, which will provide an improved user experience and a great way to learn from the experiences of peers around the state. Hear from Virginia Butler and Sara Whitaker about the features of the new listserves, and how to get started.

The City of Camden won the Municipal Association’s 2020 Achievement Award in the Public Works Category for its Wateree Riverfront Environmental Park. Deputy Director of Public Works & Utilities Ray Peterson describes the park's development, and what it has done for wildlife and recreation.

The City of Rock Hill won the Municipal Association’s 2020 Achievement Award in the Public Service category for My Ride Rock Hill. Hear from Communications Manager Katie Quinn about how the city worked to bring the fare-free, all-electric transit system to life.

The Town of Lexington won the Municipal Association’s 2020 Achievement Award in the Population 10,001 – 20,000 for its adaptive signalization system. Hear from Mayor Steve MacDougall about how the system works and how it has improved local traffic.

The City of Greer won the Municipal Association’s 2020 Achievement Award in the Communications Category for its downtown streetscape project communication plan. Hear from Mayor Rick Danner about the city’s communications work during the massive construction project.

Scott Slatton and Casey Fields look back at the legislative session, including good outcomes for cities and towns on business license standardization, hospitality tax flexibility, firefighter health care, small cell deployment and broadband access.

Main Street South Carolina recognized Sumter’s eSTEAM Festival with the Excellence on Main Street Award. Hear from Erika Williams of Sumter Economic Development about what the eSTEAM program is, and how the festival has evolved.