Friday, January 22, 2010
8:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Government Law Section
3.0 MCLE Credit Hours

Issues Facing Local Governments

Start your new year out with a shopping spree at the Government Law Section Seminar. Bring a large basket and a wallet full of questions, and we promise that you will leave with a truckload of useful information. This year's program will include an outstanding assembly of blue ribbon speakers and will cover many topics that are of current interest to local governments in South Carolina.

Local government financing options are critical in this era of capped spending and state limits on budgets. How can local governments foster private development during this time of budget cutbacks? This panel will discuss an innovative case study and share some tools for supporting economic growth in 2010.

Many local governments have instituted local laws and regulations, including smoking bans. Subsequent challenges have been brought relating to the legality of such local laws, including the nature of the penalties imposed by them. Are they criminal or civil? What are the roles of the State and of local governments on these matters? Our panel, including a Representative and a staff member from the S.C. House of Representatives, will guide you through the current status of the law.

Administrators, councils and lawyers each play a role in the direction and outcome of local government. Learn how each plays a critical role in the success or failure of local government.

Even without the new requirements of the stimulus, the procurement of goods and services by local governments has become an increasingly complex topic. Layer on top of that the procurement and reporting requirements of the stimulus, and you won't want to miss this presentation.

Finally, do you know about all of the important pieces of legislation impacting local governments that were passed in Columbia in 2009? What's on tap for 2010? We'll see you on Friday, January 22, at Kiawah for the answers to these and a whole lot more questions!

8:25–8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks
Jeremy L. Cook, Charleston

8:30–9:10 a.m. Berkeley County Case Study: Innovative Financing Tools to Foster Private Development
Nicole Scott Ewing, Moncks Corner
George J. Bullwinkel III, Charleston
Thad Wilson, Charleston

9:10–10:00 a.m. Is it Criminal or Civil? Enforcement of Smoking Bans and Other Local Laws
Rep. Leon E. Stravrinakis, Charleston
Patrick Dennis, Columbia
Ronald W. McKinney, Greenville
Frances I. Cantwell, Charleston

10:00–10:15 a.m. Break

10:15–10:45 a.m. Who’s on First, What’s on Second: Councils, Administrators and Lawyers – The Role Each Plays in Local Government
Thomas L. Martin, Anderson

10:45–11:15 a.m. Procurement Update and Reporting Requirements of the Stimulus
Boyd B. “Nick” Nicholson, Greenville

11:15–11:45 a.m. Legislative Update: What’s Happening in Columbia
Timothy C. Winslow, Columbia

11:45 a.m. Closing Remarks
A. “Sandy” Cruickshanks IV, Clinton

Course Planner/Moderator: A. “Sandy” Cruickshanks IV, Clinton/Jeremy L. Cook, Charleston