Richland County, South Carolina

Richland County Logo

Navigation

  • Online Services

    Online Services

    Save time with our convenient online services.

    Find out more
    • Online Payments
    • Family Court Calendar
    • Business Service Center
    • GIS & Mapping
    • Online Data Services
    • Voters and Districts
    • Watch County Council Live
    • General Session Motion Rosters
    • Inmate Inquiry
    • Family Court Payment Inquiry
    • Public Court Records Search
    • Common Pleas Court Roster
    • Master In Equity Court Rosters
    • Summary Court Dockets
    • Locate a Lost Pet
    • Hazardous Material Registration
    • Business Personal Property Return
    • Vehicle, Real Estate, Business & Personal Tax
    • Property Value & Tax Estimate
    • Assessor Mailing Address Change
    • Assessor Legal Residence Application
    • Agricultural Real Property Application
    • Homestead Exemption Application
    • Estate Inquiry
    • Marriage License Inquiry
    • Marriage License Application
  • Residents

    Residents

    Find services, schools, and safety information.

    Find out more
    • Engage Richland
    • Education
    • Health & Social Services
    • Libraries
    • Public Safety
    • Housing
      • Home Ownership Assistance
      • Homeowner Rehabilitation
    • Information for Residents
      • Local Hospitals
      • Schools
      • Getting Around Richland County
      • Automobile Registration & Driver's License
      • Pet Licenses
      • Voter Registration
      • Jury Duty
      • Solid Waste & Recycling
      • Local Utility Providers
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Vector Control
      • Mosquitoes
      • Diseases Spread By Mosquitoes
      • Beekeeper Information
  • Businesses

    Businesses

    Competitive tax incentives make Richland County a great place to do business.

    Find out more
    • Doing Business with Richland County
      • Accounts Payable Information
    • Running a Business
      • Hospitality Tax Information
        • Taxable Items
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Forms
    • Starting a Business
    • Procurement & Contracting
      • About Us
      • Solicitations
      • Announcements
      • Vendors
    • Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO)
  • Government

    Government

    Access a complete listing of Richland County departments, committees, and courts.

    Find out more
    • Advisory Councils
      • Central Midlands Council of Governments
      • Lexington Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Control
      • Richland County Neighborhood Council
      • Solid Waste Advisory Council
      • Community Relations Council
    • Boards
      • Board of Assessment Appeals
      • Building Board of Adjustment and Appeal
      • Business Service Center Appeals Board
      • Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA)
      • Historic Columbia Foundation
      • Library Board of Trustees
      • Performing Arts Center Board
      • Richland Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees
      • River Alliance Board
      • The Township Auditorium
      • Elections and Voter Registration Board
        • Agendas, Minutes and Actions - 2013
        • Agendas, Minutes and Actions - 2012
        • Agendas, Minutes and Actions - 2011
      • Board of Zoning Appeals
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes, & Actions - Prior Years
    • County Council
      • Clerk of Council
      • News
      • County Council Districts
      • County Council Members
        • Gretchen Barron
        • Jason Branham
        • Cheryl English
        • Paul Livingston
          • Paul Livingston Bio Part II
        • Jesica Mackey
        • Chakisse Newton
        • Derrek Pugh
        • Allison Terracio
        • Don Weaver
        • Tyra Little
        • Tish Dozier Alleyne
      • Strategic Plan
      • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
      • Agenda, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Motions Search
    • Courts and Judicial System
      • Clerk of Court
        • General Sessions
        • Jury Information
        • Clerk of Court Staff
        • Common Pleas
      • Family Court
      • Magistrates
        • Magistrates Court Forms
      • Probate Court
        • Amy McCulloch, Probate Judge
        • Probate Court Divisions
          • Estate Division
          • Guardian & Conservatorship
          • Records Division
          • Marriage License
          • Commitment
        • Filing Fees
        • History
        • Workshops
        • Probate Terms
        • Probate Contacts
        • Forms
      • Public Defender
      • Solicitor
      • Master-in-Equity
    • Departments
      • Department Directory
      • Animal Care
        • Facts
          • About
          • Disaster
          • Info
        • FAQ
        • Licensing
        • Links
        • Cat Diversion
        • View Animals
      • Budget and Grants Management
        • Annual Budget Reports
          • Current Fiscal Year Reports
          • Prior Fiscal Years Reports
        • ARPA Grants Applications
      • Building Codes & Inspections
        • Plans Review
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Contacts
      • Business Operations
        • Central Services
        • Finance
          • Accounts Payable Check Register
          • Reporting
          • ACFR Reports
          • Financial Transparency Reporting
          • Procurement Card Register
          • Annual Budget Reports
        • GIS & Mapping
        • Human Resources
        • Information Technology
        • Procurement
        • Register of Deeds
          • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Small Local Business Enterprises
      • Community Development
        • Community Development Programs
          • Homeownership
          • Homeowner Rehabilitation
          • Public Improvements
          • Stimulus Projects
          • Neighborhood Revitalization
        • CDBG Mitigation
        • Community Development News
        • Housing & Urban Development
          • Fair Housing
        • Quail Creek
      • Conservation
        • Soil & Water Conservation District
          • About
          • Natural Resources Conservation
          • Youth Education
          • Join Us
          • Conservation District News
          • Board Meetings
        • Conservation Commission
          • Richland County Heritage Tour
        • Pinewood Lake Park
          • Rules
          • Picnic Shelters
          • Fishing and Boating
          • Trails and Fitness
          • Demonstration Garden
          • Park History
          • Natural History
      • Executive
        • Administration
        • Ombudsman
        • Clerk of Council
      • Health & Social Services
      • Government and Community Services
        • Homeowners Associations
      • Grants
        • Accommodations Tax
        • Hospitality Tax
        • Community Impact Grants
      • Legislative
        • Legislative Delegation
      • Licensing & Registration
        • Animal Care
        • Business Service Center
          • BSC Online Services
          • Proposed Bag Ordinance
            • More Info for Residents
              • Take the Resident Survey
            • More Info for Businesses
              • Take the Business Survey
            • More Resources
            • Ordinance Timeline
            • Updates from County Council
            • Plastics and Recycling Q & A
        • Marriage License Inquiry
        • Planning & Development
        • Register of Deeds
        • Residential Rental Property Registration
      • OSBO
        • Home
          • About Us
          • Workshops & Events
          • News
        • Services
        • Resources
          • Ordinances
        • Steps
          • Is My Business Eligible?
          • Submit an Application
          • Certification Process
        • Contracting
      • Public Information Office
      • Public Safety
        • Animal Care
        • Coroner
        • Detention Center
          • PREA
        • Emergency Services
        • Richland County Sheriff's Department
        • SC Department of Public Safety
        • SC Law Enforcement Division
        • Victim/Witness Assistance
      • Public Works
        • GIS Public Works
        • Special Services
        • Jim Hamilton-LB Owens Airport (CUB)
        • Roads & Drainage Maintenance
        • Department Projects
        • Engineering
        • Solid Waste & Recycling
          • Curbside Pick-up
            • Recycling
            • New Account Set-up and Moving
            • Handicapped Service Options
            • Roll Cart Care
            • Household Garbage
            • Yard Waste
            • Bulk and Large Items
            • Evictions and Unwanted Items
            • Household Hazardous Waste
          • Drop-off Facilities
            • Residential and Commercial
            • Accepted Items
            • Transporting Loads
            • Illegal Dumping
            • Drop-off Locations
          • Solid Waste and Recycling Service Areas
        • Stormwater Management
          • Construction
          • Education and Public Involvement
          • Inspections
          • Monitoring
          • Ordinances
          • Capital Improvement Projects
        • Transportation Roadmap
          • Archive
      • Taxes
        • Pay Online
        • Treasurer
          • Tax Payment Options
          • Planned Payments
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • Treasurer News
          • Treasurer News Archive
          • FLC Available Properties
          • Kendra L Dove
        • Assessor
          • Legal Residence Clarification
          • Agriculture Use Value
          • Classification of Property
          • Example of Appraisal Notice
          • How to Challenge Your Value or Assessment
          • Property Appraised by the SC Department of Revenue
          • Taxes & Fair Assessment
          • School Tax Credit
          • 2014 Reassessment Program
        • Auditor
          • Property
          • Tax Exemptions
        • Hospitality Tax
      • Utilities
        • Water
          • Water Rates Schedule
          • Water System Consumer Confidence Reports
        • Sewer
          • Industrial Pretreatment Rates Schedule
          • Sanitary Rates Schedule
        • Forms
        • Procurement
        • Learn
        • News
        • About
        • Service Area Map
        • Current Alerts
        • Development
        • Other Utility Providers
        • Billing & Service
          • Establish Service
          • Cancel Service
          • Billing Adjustment
          • Delinquent Accounts
          • Special Power of Attorney
        • Contact Us
      • Transportation Penny
        • Projects
      • Voter Registration & Elections
        • About Us
        • Elections
        • Election Results
          • 2017
          • 2018
          • 2019
          • 2020
          • 2021
          • 2022
          • 2023
          • 2024
        • Voter Registration
        • Outreach
        • Board of Directors
          • Board Information
            • Board Meeting - Agendas and Minutes
            • Board Meetings - Agendas and Minutes - Prior Years
        • Early & Absentee Voting
        • Election Workers
      • Planning & Development
        • Comprehensive Planning
        • Neighborhood Planning
          • RCNC
          • Grants
          • Master Plans
          • Events
          • Planning Month
        • Sustainability Planning
          • Accomplishments
          • News
          • Publications
          • Resources
          • Sustainability Tour
        • E-911 Addressing and Road Naming
        • Floodplain Management
          • FPBasics
          • DevReview
          • Mapping
          • Prep
          • Property
          • Drainage
          • Info
        • Land Development Code
    • Ordinances
      • Recently Approved Ordinances
    • Elected Offices
    • County ADA Compliance
    • Committees
      • Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee
      • Ad Hoc and Short Term Committees
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Administration and Finance Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Animal Care Advisory Committee
      • Development and Services Committee
        • Agenda, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Discretionary Grant Fund Review Committee
      • Economic Development Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Employee Grievance Committee
      • Hospitality Tax Advisory Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
      • Internal Audit Committee
      • Nulla Bona Committee
      • Rules and Appointments Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Transportation Penny Advisory Committee
    • Commissions
      • Airport Commission
        • Agendas & Minutes
        • Agendas & Minutes - Prior Years
      • Conservation Commission
        • Agendas & Minutes
        • Agendas & Minutes - Prior Years
        • Commission News
        • Natural Resources
          • Natural Resource Grants
          • Conservation Easements
          • Richland County Trail Map
          • Projects
        • Historic Preservation
          • Cemeteries
          • Historic Preservation Grants
          • Bailey Bill
          • Historic Site Inventory
          • Architectural Surveys
          • Projects
          • Historical Markers
          • Historic Preservation Plan
        • Partners
        • Commission Members
        • Richland County Heritage Tour
      • Convention Center Commission
      • East Richland Public Service Commission
      • Music Festival Commission
      • Richland County Recreation Commission
      • Riverbanks Park Commission
      • Elections Commission
      • Planning Commission
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
  • Visitors

    Visitors

    Part rustic natural beauty, part vibrant city scene - Richland County offers something for everyone!

    Find out more
  • About Richland County
  • Careers
  • News
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • FOIA
Menu Search

One-Call Response Center 24 Hours (803) 929-6000

Media Contact

General Media Requests:
pio@richlandcountysc.gov

 

Time-sensitive Media Requests:
media@richlandcountysc.gov

facebook

 

twitter  You Tube

 


 

South Carolina’s Longest-serving Magistrate Judge Calls Richland County Home

Friday, November 21, 2014

Richland County residents appearing before Judge Michael Davis at the Lykesland Magistrate Office nowadays could be described as witnesses to history.

 

That’s because Davis, who has 45 years on the bench, is currently the longest-serving judge in the state and is the longest-sitting magistrate in the history of Richland County. In November, Richland County Council honored his service, presenting Davis with a special resolution before an audience filled with his family members, staff and fellow Richland County magistrate judges.

 

“It’s important to recognize someone who has served so diligently and who is so well respected locally and statewide,” said Council Chair Norman Jackson, District 11. “It’s hard to find someone who’s so dedicated and committed. He’s a monument in the Lower Richland community.”

 

Davis’ career began in 1970 when he was first elected to office and will continue through his state-required retirement in 2016. Over the decades, he’s established roots with his community and built long-standing relationships with Richland County residents, government officials, law enforcement entities, state legislators and national figures. 

 

“It’s been a pleasure working with him over the years,” said Richland County Chief Magistrate Judge Donald Simons. “He’s not only well known in the County, but all over the state as well, and he’s one of the most knowledgeable magistrate judges.”

 

At the time when magistrate judges were elected, Davis won his seat by 13 votes.

 

“I was 26 years old,” said Davis, now 70. “I walked to every house asking for votes.”

 

Since his initial election, he won three more terms as magistrate judge before the position became appointed.  South Carolina has about 300 magistrates appointed to four-year terms by the Governor upon the advice and consent of the Senate. 

 

Davis’ family has a legacy of public service. Several ancestors served as magistrate judges in Richland County and his father was a Richland County deputy sheriff. For a year, in 1977, Davis had dual roles, also serving as the Richland County Coroner after the coroner – who at the time didn’t have deputies – became incapacitated.

 

“I don’t think I slept for three days,” Davis said.

In addition to his daily responsibilities as magistrate judge – which include issuing warrants and conducting hearings and trials – Davis spends time with his family, serves as an honored member on the Board of Visitors for Clemson University and volunteers in local civic organizations. As a member of the Jamil Flying Fezzes, which is part of Shriners International, Davis flew local children with burn injuries to a special burn treatment center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

 

“It was always very rewarding to be able to do that,” Davis said. “The children were always so appreciative, and their family members and friends. We could fly them there in under three hours, and then we’d bring them home again after they’d been treated.”

 

Davis’ leadership and mentorship is apparent in his three loyal staff members – Julia Anderson, Amber Brazell and Judy Reeder – two of which have worked for him at the Lykesland Magistrate Office for more than 15 years. He has won numerous awards for his service as a judiciary officer and has the signed portraits of seven South Carolina governors – all personally addressed to Davis – hanging on his office wall.

 

Though South Carolina law will require Davis to retire on June 30, 2016, at the age of 72, he said he would happily continue serving as magistrate judge if he could.

 

“I never thought about doing anything else all these years,” Davis said. “I’ve enjoyed coming to work every day.”


Message sent.
Name: Please enter your name. Please enter your name.
Email: Please enter a valid email address. Please enter a valid email address. Please enter your email.
Subject: Please enter a subject Please enter a subject
Message: Please enter the message.
x

Have a question or concern?

Contact the Ombudsman
One-Call Response Center

  • Call: (803) 929-6000
  • Email: ombudsman
  Search

Home

  • About Richland County
  • Careers
  • News
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • FOIA

Find My District

Stay on top of issues affecting your area. District hearings, school closings, voting locations and more!

Get Started
Emergency Preparedness
Captcha
Email Address RequiredIncorrect Format
  • Home
    • About Richland County
    • Careers
    • News
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • FOIA
  • Residents
    • Engage Richland
    • Education
    • Health & Social Services
    • Libraries
    • Public Safety
    • Housing
    • Information for Residents
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Vector Control
  • Businesses
    • Doing Business with Richland County
    • Running a Business
    • Starting a Business
    • Procurement & Contracting
    • Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO)
  • Government
    • Advisory Councils
    • Boards
    • County Council
    • Courts and Judicial System
    • Departments
    • Ordinances
    • Elected Offices
    • County ADA Compliance
    • Committees
    • Commissions
  • Visitors

Richland County
South Carolina

Mailing Address
2020 Hampton Street
P.O. Box 192
Columbia, SC 29201

Physical Address
2020 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29204

One-Call Response Center
24 Hours (803) 929-6000

ombudsman@richlandcountysc.gov

More Information

  • Richland County ADA Compliance
  • Title VI Public Participation Plan
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Privacy Disclaimer
  • Sitemap

Follow us

Follow @RichlandSC

© Richland County, S.C. | Website by Cyberwoven