This powerful Myrtle Beach leader’s job is under review. It’s not the mayor

Amid the search for a new Myrtle Beach police chief, some residents were surprised to find how involved the city manager Jonathan “Fox” Simons is in running the city.

Under a new mayor, critics see an opportunity to push for the longtime city manager’s removal, and rumors are swirling on social media that Simons could be out when his contract is up for renewal this summer.

“I hope to have it renewed,” Simons told The Sun News of his contract. “I’ve enjoyed my time with the city and think it’s a wonderful place, and a wonderful community, and I enjoy working with city council.”

At one of the community meetings arranged to seek residents’ input on the police chief hiring process, an audience member questioned what would happen in the process if Simons was not still city manager. Ron Walsh, who is with Public Sector Search and Consulting firm and leading the national search for a chief, questioned why Simons would not remain in his position. The audience member replied that there had been rumors of Simons’ removal.

Mayor Mark Kruea, who attended the same meeting, said that he didn’t know what would happen regarding Simons’ contract, adding that the council “hasn’t had a conversation.”

After Simons’ contract rolled over last year without review, Kruea said that his contract would be evaluated. “It’s a decision that we’ll have to make,” Kruea said.

What is a city manager?

Myrtle Beach is one of more than 30 South Carolina municipalities operating with a council-manager form of government where the city manager acts as head of the administrative branch. Some of its neighbors, including North Myrtle Beach and Atlantic Beach, as well as notable cities like Columbia and Greenville, use the same system.

Unlike the mayor and other council members, the city manager isn’t voted into office and doesn’t serve in set terms. Simons and other city managers are hired by the council and act indefinitely.

What does a city manager do?

In a council-manager form of government, much of the work running a city falls under the city manager. Simons and other city managers in council-manager municipalities appoint and set salaries, remove employees at will, prepare and administer the annual budget, make financial reports and advise council on departments and appointments, according to the Municipal Association of South Carolina.

Kruea expressed concerns about City Council’s lack of involvement in the municipal budgeting process during his mayoral campaign, saying members were “basically just rubber-stamping” Simons’ recommended budget.

Before leading the city as its chief executive in 2021, Simons worked as deputy city manager. Myrtle Beach City Council chose Simons as the new city manager when his predecessor retired.

While city council members and the mayor split legislative power, Simons took over as the sole administrative power in Myrtle Beach. The mayor has no administrative powers or additional statutory authority beyond that of other council members, who oversee the city manager as he oversees the city’s staff, administrative operations and budgets.