Headline:

Understanding Blythewood's Government Structure Debate: Mayor–Council vs. Council–Manager

July 2, 2025 | 9:45 am Blythewood, SC

Blythewood, SC - As the Town of Blythewood continues to grow and evolve, so too does the conversation about how it should be governed. Recently, there has been public discussion about whether Blythewood should maintain its current mayor–council form of government or shift to a council–manager model.

To help residents understand what’s at stake, it’s important to first explore what these two systems mean—and how they could impact the way Blythewood is run.

What is a Mayor–Council Government?

Under Blythewood’s current mayor–council system, voters elect both the mayor and members of the town council. The mayor acts as the town’s chief executive, responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, preparing the budget, and implementing policies passed by the council.

This form of government is often referred to as a "strong mayor" system because it gives executive authority to an elected official, who is directly accountable to the public. The mayor can be held responsible—both praised and criticized—based on their performance.

Key Characteristics:

• The mayor is elected by the people.
• The mayor has executive powers, including hiring staff and managing departments.
• Voters can directly evaluate and re-elect or replace the mayor every term.

What is a Council–Manager Government?

In a council–manager system, the town council hires a professional manager to carry out the administrative functions of government. The mayor may still be elected, but their role becomes more symbolic or limited to presiding over meetings.

The appointed town manager—not the mayor—is responsible for running the town's daily operations, implementing council policies, and managing staff and budgets.

This system is often viewed as more “professionalized,” with the belief that a trained administrator may be better suited to manage complex budgets or projects.

Key Characteristics:

• The town manager is hired, not elected.
• The mayor's role is mostly ceremonial or limited to voting in meetings.
• The manager reports to the council, not to the public.

Why Some Support Keeping the Mayor–Council System

Supporters of Blythewood’s current structure believe it provides stronger public accountability and clearer leadership. Since the mayor is elected, voters can hold them directly responsible for decisions affecting the town.

They also argue that the mayor–council form allows for faster responses during emergencies or major town developments, because one elected executive is empowered to act on behalf of the town.

“In our system, you know exactly who’s in charge and who to hold accountable,” one longtime Blythewood resident said. “With a town manager, decisions can get lost behind bureaucracy.”

Additionally, the mayor–council system is considered more democratic by some, as it keeps power in the hands of elected officials—not hired staff.

Why Others Are Exploring the Council–Manager Model

Those in favor of moving to a council–manager system believe that professional management could bring more efficiency and consistency to town operations. This model is used in many mid-sized cities and towns across the U.S., especially in areas experiencing growth.

Proponents argue that a town manager brings experience in public administration, budgeting, and operations—and may help depoliticize daily decisions that should be made based on expertise, not election cycles.

However, critics warn that this system may reduce public influence over the executive branch, since the town manager is not elected and is accountable only to the council.

Comparison: Mayor–Council vs. Council–Manager

• Direct Voter Control
  Mayor–Council: Mayor is elected by the public
  Council–Manager: Town manager is appointed by council

• Executive Leadership
  Mayor–Council: Mayor oversees departments and daily operations
  Council–Manager: Manager runs operations; mayor has limited role

• Accountability
  Mayor–Council: Mayor answers directly to voters
  Council–Manager: Manager answers only to council

• Professional Management
  Mayor–Council: Professional staff can be hired under mayor's direction
  Council–Manager: Manager is typically trained in administration

• Public Transparency
  Mayor–Council: Council and mayor make decisions in public view
  Council–Manager: More decisions handled through administrative offices

Blythewood Is Already Using a Hybrid Approach

While the conversation continues around formal government structure, it’s important to note that Blythewood already operates under a hybrid of the mayor–council and council–manager systems.

In the current setup, the mayor holds executive authority and is elected by the people—maintaining public accountability—while the town also benefits from professional administrative support through appointed staff who assist with daily operations, planning, and budgeting.

This structure allows Blythewood to combine the best of both systems:

• Leadership and accountability through an elected mayor,
• Operational support and expertise through administrative personnel who report through proper channels.

Some believe this balance gives the town the flexibility to grow without sacrificing democratic values or leadership clarity.

Rather than adopting a full council–manager system, which would strip executive authority from the mayor and place it in the hands of a hired manager, Blythewood's hybrid model keeps decision-making tied to the public while still ensuring professional execution of town business.

Conclusion

Both systems of government have advantages and drawbacks. The mayor–council system keeps power in the hands of the voters and provides clear executive leadership, while the council–manager model emphasizes professional administration and efficiency.

As Blythewood leaders and residents explore this issue, the most important question remains: What kind of government will best reflect the values, needs, and future of this community?

When a formal vote is held, understanding the differences between these systems is key to shaping a government that serves all of Blythewood.