Westminster, SC — Growing frustration among Westminster residents has reached a tipping point as concerns mount over the city’s leadership structure, rising electric rates, and the influence of City Administrator Kevin Bronson. Citizens argue that Mayor Brian Ramey has ceded too much authority to Bronson, leaving the town vulnerable to decisions that disproportionately burden local families.

Westminster’s electric rates currently average **16.5 cents per kilowatt hour**, among the highest in the region. By comparison, South Carolina’s statewide average is approximately 13.5 cents, and rates in neighboring communities are often 5–6 cents lower. This disparity stems largely from Westminster’s long‑term contract with the Piedmont Municipal Power Agency (PMPA), a deal that residents say is outdated and financially harmful.

City Administrator Kevin Bronson, who earns a salary of more than 140,000 dollars annually, plays a central role in managing Westminster’s utility contracts and sits on multiple regional boards, including PMPA’s finance committee. Yet Bronson resides outside Westminster, meaning he is not subject to the same high rates that local families must pay.

“Westminster families are struggling under some of the highest electric bills in the state, while the person making these decisions doesn’t even live here,” said one resident. “We need leadership that shares our burdens and fights for our community.”

Mayor Brian Ramey, who has served since 2015, presides under a council form of government that delegates daily operations to the administrator. While this system is designed to streamline management, critics argue it has left the mayor silent and the administrator unchecked.

Community members are now calling for:
- Greater transparency in utility contracts and rate decisions
- Accountability from both the mayor and city administrator
- Exploration of governance reform, including a shift to a stronger mayor system
- Renegotiation of PMPA obligations to bring rates in line with neighboring towns

Residents emphasize that Westminster’s future depends on leadership willing to stand with its citizens rather than shield itself behind bureaucracy.