Cayce Welcomes New City Manager Jim Crosland
The city of Cayce, South Carolina, is buzzing with excitement as it officially welcomes Jim Crosland as the new city manager! Just recently, the Cayce City Council gave a big thumbs-up to Crosland’s permanent appointment, ending his time as the interim city manager, which began about six months ago. This pivotal move took place during a meeting held on Wednesday night, with all council members in favor. Crosland’s hiring comes during a rather turbulent time for Cayce, a city with a little under 14,000 residents nestled right across the Congaree River from Columbia.
A Time of Change for Cayce
Let’s be real—Cayce has seen quite a bit of turnover at its top spots lately! Just last week, the city’s Police Chief Herbert Blake stepped down after a short stint of fewer than three months in his role. That’s a lot of shaking up for everyone involved! During the council meeting, this topic was at the forefront of discussions, with Mayor Elise Partin reassuring over a dozen police officers in attendance that “we will continue to stand by you” and that they will all “make it through this together.” Sounds like a hopeful outlook, right?
Despite the pressing need for a new police chief, council members didn’t provide any updates on that front. However, they did promise officers that there would be a dedicated meeting the next day to address their concerns. The city is clearly working hard to keep everyone in the loop and ensure operations continue without a hitch.
Crosland’s Journey to City Manager
Now, let’s dive a bit more into Crosland himself! Before being appointed as the city manager, he was serving as the deputy city manager in Cayce and had previously worked as the assistant director of the police department. Crosland has deep roots in the Columbia area and has been an important part of the Cayce team since 2016. He stepped into the spotlight after the city parted ways with former city manager Tracy Hegler, who had overseen the city since 2018. This separation was a strategic decision made behind closed doors, following a lengthy executive session.
Interestingly, Crosland’s appointment comes shortly after a big change in the city’s police department itself. In January 2022, the previous unified public safety department—including both police and fire—was officially split into two separate entities. Change seems to be the name of the game in Cayce!
Working Within the Council-Manager Framework
Cayce operates under a council-manager form of government. This setup means that while the city council takes charge of crafting ordinances and managing budgets, the city manager’s role is to implement those decisions and oversee the daily workings of the city. It’s like a well-oiled machine working to keep the city running smoothly.
Next Steps for Crosland
As Crosland officially steps into his new role, there hasn’t been a formal contract approved just yet. However, city officials confirmed that his salary will remain unchanged as he continues to grow in his position. Details about his specific compensation haven’t been shared publicly, but it’s clear he’s stepping into a role with big responsibilities!
As things stand, Cayce residents can look forward to a time of renewed leadership under Crosland’s guidance. There are certainly challenges ahead, particularly with the need for a new police chief and maintaining stability within the city’s governance, but there’s a hopeful air in the city as everyone rallies together to support their new city manager. Here’s to new beginnings in Cayce!
