The people of Union County will get the opportunity to choose their system of government.

Union County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the second reading of an ordinance authorizing a referendum on whether or not to retain the current council-supervisor form of government or replace it with a council-administrator system.

Under the council-supervisor system, council is composed of six council members elected from single-member districts and a supervisor elected at-large. Under a council-administrator system, there would still be a six-member council elected from single-member districts with a council chairman elected at-large. An administrator hired by council would oversee the day-to-day operations of county government now handled by the supervisor.

The change was proposed by councilman Joey English who said changing the system would bring greater professionalism into the administration of county government. English pointed out currently there are no requirements a person must meet to become supervisor beyond winning an election. With the council-administrator system, English said council will be able to set up standards for hiring a professional, trained administrator.

English also pointed out Union County is one of few counties still operating under the supervisor system. Though a previous referendum on changing county government was defeated in 2002, English said given recent circumstances he thinks the people of Union County will support a new system if given the chance to vote on it.

English made his proposal in the aftermath of Gov. Mark Sanford suspending supervisor Donnie Betenbaugh following Betenbaugh's indictment on a wide range of federal drug and corruption charges. Retired U.S. Army General and educator Tommy Sinclair has been appointed by Sanford to serve out the remainder of Betenbaugh's term.

No date has been set for a referendum but Union County Election Commission Chairman Keith Vanderford said Tuesday evening he will consult with the State Election Commission to determine how soon it could be held. He did say, however, based on past experience the referendum would cost the county between $10,000-$20,000.

In other business the council:

n Voted unanimously to allocate $18,929.53 in recreational rollover funds as a match for a $95,000 State Parks and Recrecation Department grant the Union County Recreation Department will use to help finance improvements to the South Hills Sports Complex. The improvements will include fences, sod, dirt, sprinklers and upgrades of the concession stand and restroom facilities.

n Voted unanimously to allocate $7,000 from non-departmental funds to get the server up in the Clerk of Court's Office. In the same motion, council also approved allocating $5,268 from the contingency fund to allow the clerk to hire a part-time employee to work for 26 weeks on updating office records.