The Local Government Advisory Council was originally established in January 1977 by Executive Order. The organizational meeting was held in May of 1977 and the Council met monthly until April of 1978 when it was determined to meet bi-monthly. During the 1978 Session of the General Assembly, legislation was enacted to establish the Council on a permanent basis.

During the 1979 Session of the General Assembly, the legislation creating the Council was amended to insure that only elected officials of local governing bodies would be eligible to serve as members of the Council at the pleasure of the Governor and for not more than eight consecutive years. The legislation affecting such change is attached as Appendix A.