Town of Irmo to hold public informational meetings ahead of November ballot referendum on form of government

Referendum seeks to legally align Town governing documents with long-standing Council-Manager administrative structure; no changes to municipal services or daily operations.

IRMO, S.C. — The Town of Irmo has announced a series of public informational meetings to educate residents regarding a referendum that will appear on the upcoming November ballot. The ballot initiative will ask constituents to vote on formally updating the Town’s official form of government from the Council form to the Council-Manager form.

Public meetings will be held at the Irmo Municipal Building, located at 7300 Woodrow Street, on the following dates:

• Thursday(opens in new tab), September 17, at 6:00 PM(opens in new tab)
• Thursday(opens in new tab), October 29, at 6:00 PM(opens in new tab)

We encourage residents to attend to learn more about the referendum, ask questions, and understand why this administrative alignment is taking place. Light refreshments will be served at both meetings.

Official November Ballot Question

“Shall the Town of Irmo change its form of government from the Council form to the Council-Manager form?”

Why Is a Referendum Needed Now?

Under the current municipal administration, the Town initiated a comprehensive review of all local ordinances and codes to ensure accuracy, transparency, and administrative accountability. During this regulatory review, the Town found that while Irmo has operated in practice under a Council-Manager model for decades by utilizing a professional Town Administrator, Deputy Town Administrator, and nearly 60 full-time employees, the Town’s official paperwork filed with the State of South Carolina still reflects the small-town Council form.

To formally correct this regulatory discrepancy with the State, the Irmo Town Council approved the proposed structural update across two official council readings and voted to place the referendum on the November ballot for voter confirmation.

Understanding the Forms of Government

• Council Form (Current Paperwork): Administrative authority is shared collectively by the elected council as a governing body. Management duties are split among council members, a model typically designed for smaller municipalities.
• Council-Manager Form (Proposed & Current Practice): The elected Council sets overall policies, vision, and budgets, while daily operational administration and staff supervision are entrusted to a professionally hired Town Administrator.

Under the Council-Manager structure, the Town Council retains full legislative authority, including appointing municipal judges, attorneys, auditors, and the town clerk. However, general administration, key operational oversight, and personnel decisions (hiring and firing) are managed by the professional manager, creating a clear line of operational accountability.

What This Means for Residents

Town officials emphasize that for Irmo residents, absolutely nothing will change in terms of day-to-day municipal operations, leadership, or town services. Public safety, sanitation, community events, and administrative services will continue exactly as they are delivered today. The sole purpose of the November referendum is to bring the Town’s official state governing documentation into strict legal alignment with the administrative practices Irmo has successfully utilized for decades.

For details regarding voter registration, sample ballots, or official state election logistics, visit the South Carolina State Election Commission(opens in new tab)