The General Assembly of South Carolina chartered Laurens County to operate under the “Council Form of Government” with passage of the Local Government Law (Home Rule Act). Laurens County Council is composed of seven (7) members, each of whom are elected from a single-member district. Each Council Member serves a four-year, staggered term. During one election cycle, three (3) seats of Council (Districts 1, 4, and 5) are up for election. During the next cycle, four (4) Council seats (Districts 2, 3, 6 and 7) are up for election. The County Council Chair and Vice Chair positions are nominated and appointed among the full Council. The Vice Chairman carries out the duties of the Chairman in his / her absence.

Laurens County Council serves as the legislative, policy-making body for Laurens County Government through the adoption of budgets, ordinances, policy and procedure and resolutions. The seven (7) Member Council is considered a “Council Form of Government.” Meetings are conducted upstairs in the Historic Courthouse located on the Public Square in Downtown Laurens.

Henry Laurens Award

From time to time in years past, Council saw the need to recognize Laurens County citizens for their notable leadership and / or service to the County. With this in mind, in the early seventies, the Laurens County Council approved the concept of honoring these individuals with the Henry Laurens Award.

Nominations for this honor are made by the Members of the County Council and approved by the full Council.

To see a listing of Henry Laurens Award recipients, click here.