The West Columbia Leadership Council was created by resolution of city council in 1999 as an outgrowth of community policing initiated during the 1990's. City Council organized the Leadership Council with nine members from the community, one member representing each council district and one member appointed by the Mayor. The Leadership Council then adopted its own by-laws to formalize its rules of procedure in late 1999. Next, the Leadership Council finalized its Mission Statement as follows:

The Leadership Council for West Columbia will work towards improving the quality of life for all residents, seeking to identify our strengths and weaknesses and using them to formulate strategies designed to impact positively all members of our community.

Since its establishment, the Leadership Council has met frequently and initiated public relations efforts to promote the city and efforts such as the Riverwalk Improvement along the Congaree River. Its goal for 2004 is the completion of a strategic plan for the betterment of the city and to maximize its potential.