Council codifies updated rules of procedure, clarifies agenda-setting and board appearance rules

Lancaster County Council approved second reading of an ordinance that amends the county’s codified rules of parliamentary procedure to reflect changes requested by council members during recent retreats.

County attorney Miss DuPont told the council the current rules (adopted Aug. 10, 2020) mirror the model rules published by the South Carolina Association of Counties and include statutory FOIA guidance. The ordinance before council incorporates several requested changes: clarifying that the agenda is set by the council chairman with input from the county administrator; treating public hearings consistently with the public-comment section (time limits, handling of repetitive presentations and inclusion of submitted materials in the official record); and adding a paragraph addressing council members’ appearances before boards, committees and commissions to reduce the appearance of undue influence (requiring members who appear in a personal capacity to state that they are not speaking on behalf of the council and to avoid promising how they would act if the matter later comes before council).

DuPont said the appearance paragraph is intended to protect the public’s perception of impartiality; it does not remove a council member’s right to appear in a matter in which they are directly affected or to appear in an official capacity when asked. The ordinance was approved on second reading with unanimous support; staff requested a third and final reading at the council’s April 14, 2025 meeting.

Council members did not request further amendments during second reading and the item passed unanimously.