Government

The City of Sumter  is known for establishing the first successful council-manager form of municipal government, a governance system that's been adopted across the nation. The city is run by a city manager and governed by six city council members and a mayor. All seven council members are elected for four-year terms in staggered elections. City council members are chosen from single-member districts in non-partisan elections.

The County of Sumter which celebrated its 200th birthday in the year 2000, is run by a county administrator and governed by a seven-member council. Chosen from single-member districts in partisan elections, council members serve four-year terms.

Not only do the city and county share the same name but they also share about everything else. The relationship between the city and the county is used as a model across South Carolina of how cooperation can increase efficiency.

Click for a printable version of Sumter City Council, Sumter County Council, Sumter County Legislative Delegation, South Carolina Legislative Delegation .