The possibility of consolidation will, in large part, be determined by legislation from Columbia. The Consolidation Act passed by the SC General Assembly allows for local jurisdictions to consolidate but requires approval in a referendum by the voters in the areas to be consolidated. Existing consolidation laws, and even the choices of the form of local government, are not adequate to provide strong and effective management of municipal services and functions. Our group feels the first steps toward consolidation is interlocal agreement between local jurisdictions to provide service or services jointly. This would be a first step toward being able to manage resources with minimal waste and duplication.
Many interlocal agreements exist in South Carolina.
Clemson has had a service agreement concerning fire protection with the University for quite some time. We are now entering into an agreement with Central regarding the new recreation center. Chief Link is working toward an agreement for animal control. As interlocal agreements can be a step towards consolidation, our focus group would recommend that Clemson Tomorrow take the lead in the formation of a committee composed of business, government, youth and community leaders from Clemson, Seneca, Pendleton, Central, Six Mile and Clemson University with the purpose of examining the issues of SW Pickens County, SE Oconee County and NE Anderson County. Expanding the idea of the city-university committee, issues which affect us all similarly can be reviewed in a cooperative manner through such a committee.