196: Baptized by Fire: Zoning, Growth, and the Power of Local Government

Show Notes: Shawn Bell - Baptized by Fire: Zoning, Growth, and the Power of Local Government

Episode 196 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

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Overview

In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Shawn Bell, City Administrator of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, to explore what it really means to lead through rapid growth, political transition, and natural disaster—all while keeping your team and community grounded.

Shawn’s path into city management is anything but traditional. From interning in the Missouri State House to managing campaigns and working in D.C., it wasn’t until a professor introduced him to city management that he found the work that felt like home. Now, as the leader of one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing cities, Shawn brings a rare blend of political savvy, infrastructure insight, and people-first leadership.

This is a powerful conversation about what happens when population surges outpace your building capacity, when small-town culture meets big-time growth, and why the best local government leaders are those willing to get their hands dirty.

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Episode Highlights:

From Politics to Pipes:
How a career in campaigns and lobbying led to a love for local government and what Ferguson, Missouri, taught him about the power of proximity.

Baptized by Fire:
Shawn recounts his first years in South Carolina local government, learning utility infrastructure, emergency response, and economic development on the job.

Small Towns, Big Challenges:
Why starting in a rural city with limited staff taught him more than any textbook and why more MPA grads should do the same.

The Truth About Growth:
Fountain Inn’s population has nearly doubled in under a decade and how the city’s team, zoning approach, and facilities have had to sprint just to keep up.

Serving with Speed:
Shawn shares how his “100 MPH” leadership style has helped Fountain Inn stay agile in a region where change isn’t always fast—or welcomed.

Public Service Starts with People:
Why it’s not enough to deliver services—you need to show up for your team, your family, and your community with clarity and care.

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Connect with Shawn Bell

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bellieveit

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Connect with Seth Winterhalter:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

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About HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions

At HaltingWinter, we help local government leaders build thriving teams and resilient workplace cultures through keynotes, workshops, and leadership development programs rooted in the ABCs of Impactful Municipal Leadership. 

Learn more at HaltingWinter.com

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Seth's Upcoming Keynotes:

2025 Kentucky League of Cities Annual Conference & Expo
September 24 | Owensboro, KY
Details at KLC

2025 Kansas City/County Management Association Annual Conference
December 4 | Manhattan, KS
Details at KCMA

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