When our region recruits new business relocations, local government may be viewed in one of two ways: to help, or impede progress. One issue we should address is the lack of uniformity with how local governments are structured and their willingness to collaborate with neighboring leaders.

Here in South Carolina, towns and municipalities operate under three forms: Mayor-Council (a Strong Mayor system), Council (a Weak Mayor system), and Council-Manager (a hired administrator who works at the discretion of Council). Charleston and North Charleston employ the Strong Mayor system, an option that has produced unprecedented growth and success in both areas for the past decades. Strong mayors generally earn higher salaries, despite the fact that other forms of government require full-time hours. The mayor's position is full-time work in any growing, dynamic town. We support compensation aligned to match intense requirements of the office, and believe that approach will draw the most qualified candidates—not just the usual lineup of politicians. A good mayor can run any city for a few days. It takes an outstanding, well-compensated CEO to run a dynamic, prosperous city for years at a time.