Berkeley voters would have to choose how to replace supervisor

MONCKS CORNER — Berkeley County voters will have to answer two ballot questions in November if Berkeley County Council, as expected, gives them an opportunity to eliminate the supervisor position.

Ben Ziegler, an outside attorney hired by council to guide it through the process, said Monday that the first question is whether voters want to change from the supervisor form of government to council-administrator.

The second question will essentially ask voters how many councilmembers they want if voters do choose a new government. Ziegler said the second question is necessary because eliminating the supervisor role would leave the council with eight members on council, an even number, that would be unable to break ties.

He said voters would likely have to decide between creating a ninth single-member district or one at-large district. He said it's possible to have fewer on council but deciding which seat to eliminate would be problematic.

The council's finance committee voted 4-3 to adopt first reading of an ordinance putting the issue on the November referendum, despite a handful of residents who said they didn't want the option.

Read more in tomorrow's Post and Courier.