Government is the system by which a town or community is controlled. In the case of this broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislators, administrators, and arbitrators. Government is the means by which policy is enforced, as well as the mechanism for determining the policy of the Town. The Town of Santee operates under the Mayor/Council form of municipal government, with a mayor and four (4) council members serving for staggered four (4) year terms as provided by the State of South Carolina Municipal Statutes for Towns.
The Town Council shall have, in addition to the power conferred by its charter, the power and authority to make, ordain and establish all such rules, bylaws, regulations and ordinances not inconsistent with the laws of South Carolina or the United States Constitution, respecting the roads, streets, markets, police, health, and order of the Town or respecting any subject as shall appear to the council, necessary and proper for the safety, welfare and convenience of the Town or for preserving the health, peace, order and good government with the Town. The Town Council may fix fines and penalties for violations thereof, or imprisonment or both fine and imprisonment.