Town Government on Kiawah Island

The Town of Kiawah Island operates as a Mayor-Council form of government, i.e. strong mayor. The Town Council is composed of a Mayor and four Council Members. Each member is required to be a qualified elector, or one who has resided in the municipality for thirty (30) days prior to the election and who is eligible to vote.

Terms for Mayor and Council Members are two years. This term (2007-2009) is the tenth full administration. Although the entire Council faces reelection every two years, traditionally, there have been carry-overs. This Council and Mayor are all from the previous administrations.

The at-large elections are non-partisan. The electorate is nearly all Republican. Currently, there are 1,142 voters on the rolls.

These elected officials are volunteers who receive no compensation or salary.

The Town was incorporated on September 13, 1988. The primary reasons for incorporation were: 1) local control over residents future, 2) provide responsive local government, and 3) prevent potential annexation by the City of Charleston. Since incorporation, the Town has grown from 1 full-time position to 9 full-time positions. As in the beginning, however, efficient functioning is still heavily dependent on the work of volunteers.

The Kiawah Philosophy for municipal services is not to duplicate existing, available services, like planning and zoning, public works, and law enforcement. We have, therefore, privatized these functions. We maintain local control by interfacing with boards and committees on these technical functions.

The Mayor and four Council Members comprise the legislative branch of the Town. It is their duty to set over-all policy in matters concerning the operation of the Town's affairs.

The Mayor is further charged with the executive functions of Town management. He is responsible for coordinating and carrying out the policies established by the Town Council and for seeing that the duties of all Town employees are performed efficiently and effectively. The Town Administrator provides support and advice to the Mayor on these matters.