Every election season, I hear from residents who are considering a run for town council. That passion is vital – our community thrives when our neighbors are engaged and willing to serve. But before you throw your hat in the ring, it’s important to understand the difference between the concept of holding office and the reality of daily public service.
Serving on town council isn’t a part-time hobby or a platform for talking points. It takes real commitment that demands time, preparation, and knowledge. We read hundreds of pages each week, including development proposals, contracts, legal memos, and budget documents. Town council meeting packets range from 300 to 900 pages. And that’s just the reading.
We attend council meetings, committee meetings, and joint sessions with regional and state partners. We return calls and emails from residents, business owners, and community partners. The time commitment? Easily 10 to 30 hours a week.
Many campaign slogans promise to “stop growth.” That sounds simple – until you’re seated at the council dais and realize that much of the development we see today was approved legally years ago. The town must operate within state laws and existing development agreements. If a property owner meets all zoning and permitting requirements, they have a legal right to build.
That said, knowing what town council can do is your focus: We can invest in infrastructure, protect natural resources, promote affordable housing, and work with our regional partners to find long-term solutions. That’s where real progress is made – not in slogans, but in strategy and service.
If you’re serious about running, I encourage you to:
• Read the town’s Resident Resource Guide to understand how the town functions and how responsibilities are shared among agencies.
• Attend council meetings and ask questions.
• Meet with Town Manager Stephen Steese to review the town’s Strategic Plan and budget so you fully understand what’s ahead.
• Consider why you’re running. The most effective leaders serve the entire community, not just one neighborhood or interest group.
Here are some lessons learned, from my current council colleagues:
• Treat it like a job: This role demands consistent time and attention each week.
• You don’t know what you don’t know: Even with prior committee experience, it can take one to three years to fully understand the town’s policies, legal parameters, and historical context.
• Regional understanding matters: Council members often serve on boards like the Southern Lowcountry Regional Board (SOLOCO), Lowcountry Area Transportation Study (LATS), and Lowcountry Council of Governments (LOCOG). These partnerships shape funding, transportation, and planning decisions across jurisdictions.
• Be ready for pushback: Misinformation spreads faster than facts. Sometimes, the loudest voices don’t represent the majority. But with time, facts and thoughtful planning win out. (For example: town council faced strong opposition to the dog park and Wright Family Park. Both are now cherished assets.)
• Know what the town can’t do: Town council doesn’t control utilities or major roadways, and cannot break legally binding development agreements. Understanding the town’s legal and regulatory limits is crucial.
• Courage counts: Public service often means making difficult decisions. Know the issues’ nuances and minutiae so you have conviction in your decisions.
• Elected officials have one vote each. Issues require open-mindedness and the ability to work together with other viewpoints and elected officials.
• Personal life: When you represent the town; that means your family dinner or personal time will be interrupted by people who want to speak to you wherever you are.
• Running for office is an act of service. Bluffton is lucky; elected officials might not always agree, but they all agree that they deeply care about our community.
The candidate filing period closes at noon on September 5. Whether you’re planning to vote or run for office, I encourage you to approach the process with thoughtfulness, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to our whole Bluffton community.
