City Government

 

Mayor and City Council

The five (5) members of Camden City Council are elected by the citizens of Camden. The election of the Mayor and Council is non-partisan and the Mayor and Council serve at-large, four year staggered terms. The general elections are held every two years in November on the first Tuesday following the first Monday.

Council/Manager Form of Government

The Council/Manager Form of Government for the City of Camden was adopted by ordinance dated August 2, 1948. Under this form of government, the City Council hires a manager who serves at the Council’s pleasure. The Mayor and Council set municipal policy and the City Manager implements the policy through administrative control of municipal departments, offices and agencies. The Mayor acts as another member of council, but presides at all meetings of Council.

The duties of the City Council include:

  • Adopt a balanced budget.
  • Authorize the issuance of bonds by bond ordinance.
  • Inquire into the conduct of any office or department, make investigations as to municipal affairs and give the public information concerning them.
  • Adopt and modify the official map of the municipality.
  • Provide for independent annual audits.
  • Provide for the general health and welfare of the municipality through the use of the general police powers granted to municipalities.
  • Enact ordinances.
  • Appoint all committees, boards and commissions relating to the affairs of the municipal government.
  • Appoint a temporary administrative officer during a manager’s absence.
  • Create, change or abolish other administrative departments and assign work to them upon recommendation and approval of the manager.

The duties of the City Manager as chief executive officer and head of the administrative branch and as being responsible to Council for the proper administration of all the municipality’s affairs include:

  • Prepare and submit budget to Council.
  • Prepare annual report on the finances and administrative activities of the municipality for the preceding year.
  • Advise Council of the financial condition and future needs of the municipality and making such recommendations as may be necessary.
  • Appoint, remove and set salaries of any appointive officer or employee of the City.
  • Perform other duties prescribed by law or required of him by the Council. 
     



Kevin Bronson
City Manager
kbronson@camdensc.org
  
Jake Broom
Assistant to the City Manager
jbroom@camdensc.org