Local Gov. 101: Cities vs. counties 🏛️

Local Gov. 101: Understanding Columbia’s City Council

An aerial view of the State House | Photo via Trinity Partners

When we kicked off Local Gov. 101, we asked our readers what they wanted to know about our local government — and boy did y’all have questions.

You asked — how to understand the differences between the City of Columbia and Richland County regarding boundaries. We’re answering — let’s break down some boundaries.

Each county has its own system of government but located within each county, local municipality governments also have their own government system that is made up of elected officials — like mayors and councils.

Now let’s put that into perspective. Within Richland County, there are six municipality governments:

The government jurisdiction that you abide by is determined by your location. If you live within the City of Columbia limits, you are under the jurisdiction of the Columbia City Government.

Simply put — if you live outside of any municipality district, you are part of “unincorporated Richland County” and are placed under the jurisdiction of the county.

Need an easy way to determine which city you’re located in? Use this interactive Richland County map to determine what city (if any) your property is located in.

Another reader asked about the unincorporated parts of counties and how those citizens’ voices were heard. Richland County Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. All meetings are open to the public. If you can’t make it in person, watch council meetings live online or check out archived meetings.

Richland County also provides GeoInfo Internet Mapping. Just type in your address at the button below to find your:

Voting precinct
Voting location
County Council district
County Council representative
And more

USE THE MAP

How likely are you to make upgrades or renovations to your home in the next year?

A. Extremely likely
B. Somewhat likely
C. Neither likely nor unlikely
D. Somewhat unlikely
E. Extremely unlikely

Congratulations to Tiffany R. for winning a $50 gift card to our online shop, Six & Main. Did you know you could be our next winner? Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to score a gift card!

SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER

Click here to have your event featured.

Tuesday, Feb. 28

Gamecocks Baseball vs. North Carolina A&T Baseball | Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 8 a.m. | Founders Park, 431 Williams St., Columbia | $12-$15 | Root, root, root for the home team as the Gamecocks take on North Carolina A&T in Founders Park.
What does organic gardening really mean? | Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $30 | Learn how to transform your yard into an organic oasis where you, your family, and pollinators can live harmoniously.

Wednesday, March 1

Gladys’ Gang Toddler Edition: Opposites Attract | Wednesday, March 1 | 10-11 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free with museum admission | This program is specially designed for 2- to 3-year-old participants and their adult companions to explore art through movement and play.

Thursday, March 2

Taste of Lake Murray 2023 - Lake Murray’s 4th of July Fundraiser | Thursday, March 2 | 6 p.m. | Doubletree by Hilton, 2100 Bush River Rd., Columbia | $100 | This exciting evening of local cuisine, drinks, live music, and fun with Lake Murray friends is the sole fundraiser for the Annual 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray.

Friday, March 3

Craftsmen’s Classic Art & Craft Festival at the SC State Fairgrounds | Friday, March 3-Sunday, March 5 | Times vary | SC State Fair Grounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | $0-$6 | This event features original designs and works from hundreds of talented artists from across the nation.
Core Retreat: Strengthening Mind, Body & Soul. | Friday, March 3-Saturday, March 4 | Times vary | Eastminster Presbyterian Church Christian Life Center, 3200 Trenholm Rd., Columbia | $0-$35 | Choose from 27 interactive and informational classes on fitness, emotional wellness, nutrition, and spiritual motivation, all led by certified dietitians, fitness instructors, and counselors.*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

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Weather

80º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Sports

We are the champions, my friends. South Carolina women’s basketball team defeated Tennessee last week 73-60, making them regular season conference champions and extending their winning streak to 34 games. The team will enter the SEC tournament as the No. 1 seed. 🏀 (The State)

Number

$130,000. That’s the grant amount Benedict College received from the National Park Service’s History of Equal Rights fund. The funds will be used to preserve Duckett Hall, a historic building on campus that will soon have rebuilt windows and an updated interior. 💰 (The Post and Courier)

Asked

Palmetto Wine Sellers announced on social media that they are moving. The Wine Guy is asking the community to help. Call 803-714-3320 if you know or have ~600 sqft of rentable office space that is on (or close) to Devine Street. 🍷

Eat

Hendrix introduced pizza on the rooftop. Every Thursday the rooftop bar and restaurant will be serving 12-inch Neapolitan-style pizzas beginning at 7:30 p.m. Try out the new pizza oven, sip on cocktails, and enjoy rooftop views. 🍕

Shop

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Home

Did you know? Air conditioners, heat pumps, and hot water heaters that aren’t properly maintained have a shorter lifespan. The best way to avoid breakdowns and high repair costs is to have regular preventative maintenance on your HVAC system. Schedule spring maintenance.*

Finance

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Consider this development done 🏠

Construction is done on the W. B. Smith Whaley House

Construction on the historic W. B. Smith Whaley House was completed in February 2023. | Photo by Mashburn Construction

Mashburn Construction completed renovations on the historic W. B. Smith Whaley House in February of last year.

Let’s recap this redevelopment

Constructed in 1892, the ~8,000 sqft, three-story building was originally a residential home until it was transformed into the Dunbar Funeral Home in the 1920s.

Historic renovation on the Nationally Registered Property — located on the corner of Gervais and Pickens Streets — began in 2022 and promised to feature:

A cafe on the first floor, occupied by Knowledge Perk, a popular Rock Hill-based coffee shop.
Several apartments on the first and second floor
A wrap-around porch

If you are dreaming of living in a newly renovated historical apartment, you better show interest quickly, there are only four apartments available to rent.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Sam.

Editor’s pick: Does the name Whaley ring a bell when you read W. B. Smith Whaley? Whaley, in partnership with architect Gadsden E. Shand, helped in the design, engineering, and building of Olympia, Granby, and other local mills — now mostly used as student housing for USC.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read through the details of the Busted Plug removal, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Lindsey Rhinesmith| Advertise with us.

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