County Officials Reflect on Importance of Home Rule During SCAC 2025 Annual Conference

As schoolchildren across the state returned to their classrooms, South Carolina county officials gathered during the first week of August for the South Carolina Association of Counties’ (SCAC) 2025 Annual Conference and Institute of Government for County Officials. This year’s event also included a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Home Rule Act, which established county government in South Carolina as we know it. 

County leaders and officials began their week in Institute of Government classes, which covered a wide array of topics.  This year, 74 county officials from 27 counties earned enough credits to graduate from one or both levels. Four counties—Darlington, Dorchester, Orangeburg and Saluda—attained a 100% graduation rate for their county council members during this year’s event. 

The conference included the Legislative Breakfast and Power Hour, featuring a panel of state legislators who all formerly served on county council. Sens. Michael Johnson and Overture Walker joined Reps. Brandon Cox and Harriet Holman.  

“My experience on Richland County Council has served me well,” Walker said adding that he focuses on advancing quality of life issues for his constituents, issues that he also worked on during his time on County Council. 

The state lawmakers also discussed bills they worked on during the most recent legislative session. Cox discussed the importance of the Home Rule Act and highlighted the recently passed golf cart ordinance bill that gives counties and municipalities the authority to regulate the use of golf carts at night.   

National Association of Counties President J.D. Clark attended the conference as the first stop of his year in national leadership. He took office in mid-July. Clark, who hails from Texas, unveiled his year-long focus “County Storytellers” during the general session.  

“The stories, if we tell them well, will make an impact at home and nationally,” he said.  

This year’s conference also featured a keynote address from Michael Bonner, a renowned public speaker and educator with the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. Bonner injected fresh energy and humor into the session with his presentation designed to energize and inspire leaders. 

He emphasized the importance of adaptability in today’s landscape of ever-changing ideas and technology.  

“If you want to change this world in South Carolina even more, you must be adaptable,” Bonner said. “Don’t be afraid to speak out and highlight what needs to be changed.” 

He also challenged county leaders to honestly assess areas that their county governments struggle with and to analyze how that might hinder them from success. 

“All of you here are change agents,” Bonner told attendees. “What systems will you change?” 

The 2025 Annual Conference ended with a closing reception, during which 2024-25 SCAC President and Allendale County Council Chairman William E. Robinson passed the gavel to Chesterfield County Council Chairwoman Mary D. Anderson, who was elected SCAC’s 2025-26 president. 

South Carolina’s 46 counties are strong on their own but more resilient when woven together, Anderson told members after she accepted the gavel for the year. 
 
”When we come together, rural and urban, large and small, we create something greater than the sum of our parts,” said Anderson, who is chairwoman of Chesterfield County Council. “We create a fabric of leadership, of unity and of special shared purpose that stretches and covers South Carolina.” 

See photos from this year’s Annual Conference and Institute of Government.