Frequently Asked Questions

County Council holds regular meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm (with a few exceptions as outlined in the meeting schedule on our County Council webpage). Meetings are normally held in County Council Chambers, which is located on the second floor of the old Georgetown County Courthouse (129 Screven St., Georgetown).

Deviations from the regular meeting schedule or meeting location are announced in the local media and on this website. All meetings are open to the public.

Georgetown County Council welcomes anyone interested in applying for a position on a county board or commission to complete the application at the bottom of our County Council webpage.

If you are unable to complete the application form, please call 843-545-3058.

Georgetown County Council follows a structured process when considering ordinances, resolutions and other matters. Below is an overview of how items move through council meetings:

Readings and Approvals

• First Reading: Items are introduced and read by title only. No discussion takes place at this stage. This just lets people know in an official way that something is coming up for discussion at the next meeting.

• Second Reading: This is when most discussion occurs among council members. Amendments may be made at this stage.

• Third Reading: The final reading required before an ordinance or resolution is adopted. Amendments may be made at this stage.

Agenda Categories

• Consent Agenda: Items in this section are not discussed individually. They are approved automatically when the full agenda is approved.

• Deferred or Previously Suspended Issues: Items in this section are on hold and will not be discussed during the meeting. The council may revisit them in the future if a member asks to have a topic put back on the agenda.

There are two ways residents can address County Council during council meetings:

• Public Comment Sessions: At the beginning of every regular meeting, members of the public may address the council on any topic. This session is voluntarily provided by council and is not legally required. There is a time limit for how long a person may speak. The limit may change from meeting to meeting based on how many people are signed up to make comments. Two to three minutes is standard.

• Public Hearings: Certain topics, such as zoning changes and budget approvals, require public hearings. These hearings focus strictly on the issue at hand and allow for public input on that issue only.

To sign up or for more information, email the Clerk to Council at adsierra@gtcounty.org or call the clerk's office at 843-545-3058.

At the beginning of every County Council meeting, Council members receive a brief presentation from a nonprofit that provides services in Georgetown County. This "Nonprofit Spotlight" is a partnership between Georgetown County and the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation to spotlight nonprofits and the services they offer for residents of Georgetown County. Featured nonprofits are selected by the Bunnelle Foundation, ensuring that all featured organizations are vetted and reputable. Learn more about the Bunnelle Foundation at https://bunnelle.org/.

The first reading is simply a way of giving everyone a heads-up that something new is on the agenda. Council announces the title of the item so the public and council members know it’s coming, but no debate happens yet. This gives everyone time to look over the details before real discussion and possible changes take place at the second and third readings.

Public Comment is a time for residents to speak on any topic of concern to them. Public Hearings are required by law for certain items, such as ordinances, and only address that specific issue.

The Consent Agenda groups routine or non-controversial items together to be approved in one vote. This saves time so Council can focus on items that need discussion. Any Council member can request that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda to the regular agenda for debate.

Requests should be made through the Clerk to Council, who will help determine the best way to bring the item forward. Contact the Clerk to Council at 843-545-3058.

All regular meetings are livestreamed and recorded. You can watch live or find archived videos on Georgetown County’s YouTube channel.

Georgetown County is divided into seven Council districts, each with one elected Council member. You can find your district by checking your voter information at https://scvotes.gov/voters/. Council Members are listed by district on the County Council page of our website.