Council authorizes execution of county-attorney contract after debate over pay and appointment

Charleston County Council authorized the chairman and Ms. Ham to execute the county-attorney contract discussed in executive session and instructed that any subsequent changes be returned to council for review.

During the meeting, Councilmember Kabrowski criticized the arrangement and urged consideration of making the county-attorney position an elected office to separate the attorney’s compensation and appointment from the council. He compared the county-attorney salary to other public offices, saying, "I would just like to point out that because this discussion of this, The United States, attorney general for their entire nation earns $250,000 a year... the attorney general of South Carolina for our entire state, Allen Wilson, earns $208,000 a year." Kabrowski said he found it problematic for the person who advises council to be paid by the council and suggested state-legislative action or an elected office as alternatives.

The council voted to authorize execution of the contract. The meeting record shows two recorded nays: Mr. Sass and Mr. Kabrowski. The chair declared the ayes carried.

Council discussion noted that the executed contract becomes a public document subject to disclosure, and the motion directed that any substantive changes be returned to council. The mover asked that final versions be made available to council members and that members could request copies once finalized.