Chapin Town Council members win round in fight with mayor

Chapin Town Council members won a round Wednesday in their power struggle with Mayor Skip Wilson over control of what town leaders can consider.

Council members have the final say on the agenda in meetings called by a majority of the five members, the S.C. Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.

The ruling opens the door for council members to start thwarting changes in Town Hall operations that Wilson made single-handedly.

“I’m glad to hear it,” said Councilman Robbie Frick, one of those at odds with Wilson. “We’ll see what happens from here on out.”

Wilson declined comment, town spokeswoman Karen Owens said.

The ruling overturns a lower court decision that gave Wilson sole authority to decide what items will be discussed at all council sessions.

The court said allowing the mayor to veto topics other town leaders want to discuss and possibly adopt is “effectively stripping the majority of its authority to call the meeting.”

Wilson contends some council members want to block changes that he says were authorized by voters when he took charge in early 2014 as the Lexington County community’s first new mayor in 32 years.

Besides Frick, some of Wilson’s decisions were challenged by council members Kay Hollis and Bibi Atkins. Atkins retired from office in January.

The three opposed what they say is Wilson making spending and staff decisions without obtaining council approval as required.

This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 1:19 PM with the headline "Chapin Town Council members win round in fight with mayor."