Which combination of city and year reflects the first adoption of the Council-Manager form of government?

• A. Sumpter, SC in 1912; Dayton, OH in 1914
• B. Dayton, OH in 1912; Sumpter, SC in 1914
• C. Sumpter, SC in 1914; Dayton, OH in 1912
• D. Dayton, OH in 1914; Sumpter, SC in 1912

Answer: (A)

The main idea is identifying the earliest occurrence of the council-manager form in U.S. cities. This reform shifts day-to-day administrative authority to a professional city manager while the elected council handles policy, aiming to reduce politics in administration. Historically, Sumter, South Carolina adopted the council-manager system in 1912, making it the first city to implement this structure. Dayton, Ohio followed later, adopting it in 1914. So the combination that reflects the first adoption is Sumter in 1912 with Dayton in 1914. The other options mix the cities and years in a way that would place the earlier adoption in the wrong location or order.