With more than 30 years in public service, Charles P. Austin, Sr. took on the challenge of city management, becoming City Manager for Columbia, South Carolina in 2003. Since that time, he has faced and overcome many management challenges. Austin was appointed during a time when the internal environment needed stability and vision. He has worked diligently with Columbia City Council to establish goals for this growing capital city. Austin’s career includes many “firsts”, including being Columbia’s first African American city manager.
He is also the first City Manager to incorporate the concept of Performance Based Budgeting into the management and operations structure. Through Performance Based Budgeting, departments will directly link their budget line items with their goals for the fiscal year. Austin introduced this new approach to city leaders as a way to achieve more professional accountability.
Charles began his career with the Greenville and Easley, South Carolina police departments as a patrolman. For the (SC) State Law Enforcement Division, he worked both as a Narcotics Investigator and as a Protective Services Officer. In 1986, Austin became the head of the South Carolina State University’s campus police department. After serving as the Chatham County (GA) Police Department’s Deputy Chief of Police, he accepted the position of Deputy Chief in the city of Columbia in 1989. Austin became the first black Police Chief in Columbia in 1990, a position that he held until 2001 when he became the Assistant City Manager for Public Safety.
During his tenure as police chief, he spearheaded several new law enforcement initiatives in Columbia. Community policing was the driving force that developed a cohesive working relationship between the Columbia Police Department and residents in the local neighborhoods. The KOBAN concept, which originated in Japan, also put Columbia in the international spotlight. KOBANS, also known as safe havens, were opened in targeted areas to provide resources, training and mentors for at-risk youth.
Austin has pioneered numerous initiatives in Columbia and in 2006, he became the city’s first manager to receive the International City/County Management Association's (ICMA) credentialed manager designation. He established the motto: "Everbody Counts, Everybody Contributes and Everybody Benefits". Mr. Austin created the Bureau of Commerce and Development to unify the Departments of City Government that are primarily responsible for Neighborhood, Commercial and Economic Development. He established the Get Set Program to provide opportunities for City employees to pursue their GED or High School Diploma. Austin believes the City has a responsibility for employee development that recognizes the gifts and talents of employees and prepares for them for advancement. Four Get Set graduates have been promoted since completing their requirements and four have enrolled in college programs. Austin also extended the employee orientation program from one hour to four days to introduce employees to the mission, vision and goals of the City. The extended orientation also provides time for Executive Staff, Senior Management and when possible City Council Members to meet with new employees. Austin believes every employee should have a basic knowledge if City Government and its operations. The City Manager required Executive Staff and Senior Management to attend six-four hour Stategic Operations Planning Sesions during 2007-08 to develop strategies to acheive the goals that were given to the City Manager by City Council. Austin's theme for the Strategic Planning Sessions was: "One mission, One message and One Columbia"
Plans are underway to establish City of Columbia University as a two year employee development curriculum. Austin believes the City has a duty to prepare employees from within for operations level, supervisory, management and executive leadership positions. "We should continually strive to bring out the best in our employees by investing in their development", he said. COC University will also provide courses for citizens related to the composition and operations of city government. Austin also implemented the city's Reverse 911 system.
He received his bachelor's degree from SC State University, in education, and a master's degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina, a master of divinity degree from Erskine Theological Seminary and a doctorate in pastoral ministry from Central Christian University of South Carolina (formerly C.E. Graham Bible College and Seminary). He was presented an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree by Carolina Bible Institute and Seminary and the Doctor of Public Service Degree by SC State University.
He has attended various other schools for training, including the John F. Kennedy School of Government for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University. He serves as the Pastor of the Village of Hope Fellowship Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
Charles and his wife Ava have 3 children, Charles Jr., Charnequa and Chandra, and 1 grandson, Caden.
