Laurens City Government

How our city government operates.

The City of Laurens operates under what is known as the "mayor-council" form of local government.  We have a Mayor and six City Councilors representing each of the six "wards" or districts into which the city is divided.

Though it is technically a "part-time" position, as our city has grown, the role of the Mayor has also developed into a full-time responsibility.  Of course, the Mayor has certain statutory responsibilities.  He presides over monthly meetings, usually the third Tuesday of each month, and may call special meetings. He acts as chief administrative officer, and may appoint and remove employees subject to any personnel policies adopted by Council. The Mayor supervises each city department (police, fire, streets and sanitation, etc.) and ensures the faithful execution of laws. He acts and votes as a member of council.  In addition, the Mayor works with each city department to prepare and submit a budget and capital program to council, makes an annual financial report to the public and council, and reports to the council on the operation of departments.  But, in addition to these formal duties, the Mayor of Laurens takes an active role in the economic development of the city, sitting on the the Board of Laurens County Development Corporation, and coordinating with community partners such as the Laurens Commission of Public Works, our local utility service provider.  He serves as the representative of the City on every level, from speaking to students at school assemblies to advocating for the City to members of the SC General Assembly. 

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While the Mayor acts as the chief administrative officer, it is the members of Laurens City Council who establish departments, prescribe functions of city government, and who employ the City Administrator to assist the Mayor in carrying out the day-to-day functions of each department.  City Council is the legislative body for the city, passing "ordinances," or laws which apply within the city limits, or "resolutions" which are statements of an official position by the City Council on particular issues, such as how a law is to be applied.  Council ratifies nominations for appointments to city commissions such as the City Planning Commission, the Zoning Appeals Board, and the Historic Preservation Commission.  Council also has the authority to investigate departments; they appoint the City Clerk, City Attorney, and our Municipal Judges; they elect the mayor pro tempore; and perhaps most importantly, each year they adopt a balanced budget.  Like the Mayor, beyond their formal statutory duties, City Councilors act as ambassadors of and the people's representatives to city government.  Depending on their particular strengths and their constituents' needs, City Councilors work to make sure our government is responsive to the needs of the public.  They may hold "town hall" listening sessions or assist with community efforts to organize and address particular causes or concerns.  By interacting with their constituents and contributing their own knowledge and experience to City Council, each member of Council helps ensure that our ordinances and polices serve the public and advance the public good.

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To learn more, please visit:

Municipal Association of SC: Forms & Powers of Municipal Government