Public Meetings - Horry County, South Carolina

The Horry County Council held its regular meeting on October 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included public input on procurement issues, approval of several ordinances and resolutions, recognition of employees, and discussion of new zoning districts. The council deferred one agenda item and referred another back to committee. Consent Calendar - Approved as amended the consent agenda, which included first readings of ordinances, resolutions, and community benefit fund allocations. Notable items: Ordinance 119-2024 authorizing up to $2,500,000 in general obligation bonds for the Legends Drive Special Tax District; Resolution R-114-2024 supporting Cybersecurity Awareness Month; Resolution R-116-2024 awarding HOME Consortium funding ($320,000 to Habitat for Humanity, $40,000 for rehabilitation, $400,000 to Eastern Carolina Housing Organization for tenant-based rental assistance); Resolution R-117-2024 awarding HOME-ARP funding ($324,250 for supportive services, $75,750 for non-profit operating expenses); Resolution R-118-2024 supporting HGTC property acquisition; and community benefit fund allocations totaling $35,500 to various organizations. Public Comments & Testimony - Lance Taylor (partner, Carolina Utilities and Site Work) and Brandon Lawrence (partner, same company) spoke about the Central Coast Complex project. They stated their company was terminated on August 30, 2024, without cause, and that the general contractor (Coopertasia) was paid over $3 million by the county but owed nearly $600,000 to subcontractors. They alleged work was paid for but not completed, and a new unlicensed contractor (GNK Developers) was hired. They requested payment for completed work. - Tim Davis, a concerned resident, spoke in support of local contractors, criticized procurement processes, and suggested releasing CAD plans for bidding to avoid issues. - Chairman noted pending litigation and county policy of no comment. - Sam Yarbrough (Poplar Church resident) spoke in favor of Ordinance 105-2024, stating the proposed MRD-P zoning was preferable to the alternative half-acre lot plan. He thanked council and staff for working with the community. Presentations & Resolutions - Recognition of Frederick Smalls, 30-year employee at the detention center, for his service. - Announcement of Chris Leinhart as the new Horry County Police Chief, effective October 1, 2024. Discussion Items - Ordinance 105-2024 (Diamond Shores, MRD-P rezoning): First MRD-P district in the county. Councilman Allen explained the design includes extensive buffers (300 feet on some sides), pocket parks, sidewalks, and reduced road footprint. Developer representative detailed how the plan protects wetlands and existing community. Council expressed support. - Budget Amendment (Ordinance 117-2024): Recognized additional revenue and expenditures, including six new positions, capital project schedules, transfer of $825,000 from CIP contingency to Big Bull Landing flood project, and a $5,000 salary increase for council members (effective January 1, 2025). Passed 7-5. Key Outcomes - Deferred: Paragraph 11 (Third Reading of Ordinance 87-2024 – HWY 17 Business South Overlay) was deferred. - Referred: Paragraph 19 (First Reading of Ordinance 118-2024 – Shoreline Behavioral Health Board compensation) was referred back to the Administration Committee for further work. - Approved (second reading and public hearing): Ordinances 100-104 (airport concessions), 105-2024 (Diamond Shores rezoning), 113-2024 (Benton Rentals rezoning), 115-2024 (Clara Ford rezoning), 116-2024 (Cesar Sacalxot Sacor rezoning), and 117-2024 (budget amendment). - Consent agenda: Approved as amended. - Executive session: Held to discuss the administrator’s employment contract.

The Administration Committee of Horry County Council met on September 24, 2024, at 1:00 PM in the County Council Conference Room. The committee reviewed financial updates for June, July, and August 2024, approved an EMS receivable write-off, and acted on multiple budget, personnel, housing, and infrastructure items. All actions were approved unanimously unless noted. Financial Update – June, July & August 2024 (Shannon Todd, Finance Director) Ms. Todd presented financial summaries. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, general fund revenues were $270.3 million (107% of budget) and expenditures $219.4 million (90% of budget), resulting in a net fund balance increase of $24.4 million. For the first two months of FY2025 (July and August), general fund revenues were $14.3 million (5.3% of budget), expenditures $38.4 million (14.6% of budget), with net change in fund balance of -$25.7 million, as expected due to property tax timing. Special revenue funds (Fire, Road Maintenance, Beach Renourishment, Stormwater, Recreation, Waste Management) were performing as anticipated. EMS Receivable Write-Off Ms. Todd requested approval to write off $5,222,531 in uncollected EMS charges originating from services provided on or before June 30, 2021 (the COVID period). The write-off complies with accounting standards; collections efforts will continue. The committee noted improved collection rates, with $812,992 collected in FY2024 from previously written-off accounts. Annual Review of Financial & Capital Improvement Program Policies Ms. Todd reported no new best practices from GFOA or GASB since the last review. Staff recommended no changes to the Financial Policies or Capital Improvements Program Policies. The committee accepted the report without action. Recording Notification Service (RNS) – Fraud Alert System (Marion Foxworth, Register of Deeds) Mr. Foxworth presented a new free fraud alert service for property owners. The RNS notifies registrants via email the same day a document is recorded in their name. The system is live; over 200 citizens signed up in the first three weeks. The committee praised the initiative. Reassessment Appeals Update & Tax Estimator Demo (Larry Roscoe, Assessor) Mr. Roscoe demonstrated a new online tax estimator tool that allows property owners to estimate taxes using parcel number and value. As of the meeting, 3,708 reassessment appeals had been filed (expected total 4,500-5,000); 58% have received written responses and 11% are closed. The committee thanked staff for the tool. Key Outcomes - Ordinance to Authorize Compensation for Board of Shoreline Behavioral Health Services: Approved. The ordinance removes the provision barring compensation. The board recommended $75 per meeting for members and $100 for the chair, plus mileage. The committee also directed staff to develop a uniform compensation policy for all county boards and committees for the next meeting. (Vote: unanimous) - Ordinance to Amend FY2025 Budget (Ordinance 36-2024): Approved. The amendment includes: (1) adding six new positions (three administrative assistants for Public Defender, Solicitor, Clerk of Court, funded by excess revenue; three shared records/retention coordinators for IT and Voter Registration, funded by savings); (2) establishing spending schedules for 13 capital projects (e.g., Central Coast Complex, fire stations, parks); (3) transferring $825,000 from CIP Contingency to the Big Bull Landing project for flood mitigation; (4) increasing council member and chairman salaries by $5,000 each (total $77,040), effective January 1, 2025, funded by existing recurring revenue. (Vote: unanimous) - Resolution to Award Horry County HOME Consortium Funding: Approved. Awards: Habitat for Humanity of Horry County ($320,000 for new construction of 8 units in Conway; $40,000 for rehabilitation of 1 home in Myrtle Beach; $50,000 for CHDO operating assistance); Eastern Carolina Housing Organization ($400,000 for tenant-based rental assistance for 50 households). (Vote: unanimous) - Resolution to Award Horry County HOME-ARP Funding: Approved. Award: Eastern Carolina Housing Organization ($324,250 for supportive services and $75,750 for non-profit operating expenses, total $400,000, for homelessness prevention). (Vote: unanimous) - Resolution to Support Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024: Approved. (Vote: unanimous) - Resolution Providing Support for Acquisition by Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) of Property Near Conway Campus: Approved. HGTC plans to acquire two properties (2431 and 2451 Highway 501 East) totaling 60,000 sq ft for educational expansion. The property will be removed from tax rolls; council supported the loss offset by community benefit. (Vote: unanimous) - Community Benefit Fund Requests: Approved. Nine allocations totaling $31,000 from various council district accounts, including $2,500 to Carolina Forest Middle of the Road (median maintenance), $2,000 to GFWC North Myrtle Beach Women’s Club, $3,000 to Grand Strand Humane Society, and $4,000 to Sunshine Recovery Ministries, among others. (Vote: unanimous) - Legends Special Tax District – Issuance of $2,500,000 General Obligation Bonds: Approved. The bonds will fund road, drainage, and public works improvements within the district, approved by referendum in July 2024. A companion resolution declaring intent to reimburse prior expenditures was also approved. (Vote: unanimous) - Ordinance Amending Casino Boat Surcharge: Approved. Extends the surcharge for gambling vessels for 10 years (through February 2035). Surcharge increases from $7 to $15 per passenger per cruise effective April 1, 2025, then to $18 on January 1, 2030. Estimated annual revenue increase from $877,000 to $1.3 million. (Vote: unanimous) The meeting adjourned at approximately 1:56 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for October 22, 2024.

The meeting on September 23, 2024, covered upcoming agenda items, board appointments, historical marker updates, and logistics. No formal votes were taken; discussions focused on future actions and status updates. Discussion Items - Upcoming Presentation: A member noted that Lanna Beach will be the sixth nominee to present at a meeting on November 15, 2024, at 10:30 AM at Parkland Road in Columbia. The agenda will be posted November 1st. - Board Appointments: Discussion arose about new commissioners being appointed by the council. Bill suggested that prospective board members should attend a few meetings as guests before approval to ensure commitment. Another member proposed reaching out to the Horry County Historical Society about vacancies, noting that group has a natural interest in history. - Historical Marker Updates: - Georgetown Tech Marker: Awaiting a date from USD after they reach out to their board/university board. - Indian People Marker: Still in production. - Hickory Grove Marker: Still in production. - Green Seed Marker: One member thought an email had been sent but the recipient did not receive it; the sender will resend. - Meeting Schedule: Confirmed that meetings are always the fourth Monday of the month (not the last Monday). The next meeting is set for October 28, 2024. Key Outcomes - The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 28, 2024. - The group will circulate information about board vacancies to the Horry County Historical Society. - Marker projects remain in progress with follow-up actions pending (e.g., resending the Green Seed marker email).

The Horry County Council met on September 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Chairman Johnny Gardner presided. The meeting opened with an invocation by Councilman Tyler Servant, the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilman R. Mark Causey, and a public comment period. The council approved a consent agenda with numerous zoning map amendments, resolutions, and budget transfers, and heard presentations on the 4-H program, employee service awards, police reaccreditation, and Fire Prevention Week. Several ordinances were debated and voted on, including a denial of a rezoning for a residential expansion and a denial of the Interstate 73 official map amendment. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of September 3, 2024, were approved. - Consent Agenda (as amended): The council approved the consent agenda, which included 15 third-readings of zoning map amendments (Ordinances 43, 71, 74, 75, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98), six third-readings for future land use and rezoning (Ordinances 72-73, 77-78, 86, 88-92), 11 first-readings for airport concession and lease agreements (Ordinances 100-104, 107-108, 109-110, 105, 106, 113, 115, 116), four road dedication resolutions (R-109, R-110, R-111, R-112), a resolution authorizing a budget transfer for parking software (R-113), and approval of a Shoreline Behavioral Health board nominee. Councilman Servant recused himself from the consent agenda vote. Public Comments & Testimony - Willa Carter (Race Path community resident) spoke in support of the Race Path Revitalization Plan, specifically requesting that phases 2 and 3 (drainage, roadway, and sewage improvements) be prioritized. She urged the council to partner again with the Phoenix Renaissance nonprofit and highlighted the community's desire to avoid homelessness and displacement. Presentations & Resolutions - Horry County 4-H Program & Cooking Capable Project: Ivy Prince and Miracle Rabon presented on the 4-H program's growth and Ivy's Cooking Capable project, which teaches cooking skills to the special needs community. Ivy noted that Cooking Capable won a grant competition in Atlanta. Braden Laurie and his mother also spoke about the program's impact. - Employee Recognition: Assistant County Administrator Randy Webster and Councilman Danny Hardee recognized three employees for 30 years of service: Wanda Campbell (Detention Center office manager), Detective Jeffrey Todd (Police Department bloodhound handler), and Judge Aaron Butler (Magistrate). - Police Reaccreditation: Retired Police Chief J.J. Jones of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation Association presented the Horry County Police Department with a reaccreditation certificate. Chief Joe Hill thanked his command staff. - Fire Prevention Week Resolution (R-108-2024): The council unanimously approved a resolution designating October 6–12, 2024, as Fire Prevention Week, with the theme “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” Chief Tanner noted that over 3,000 smoke detectors have been installed since 2020. Discussion Items - Ordinance 106-2024 (Havenview Expansion): First reading of a rezoning request (PINs 46300000029 & 46300000042) from PUD, MSF 40, and MRD 1 to MRD 2 for 138 single-family units. Councilman Servant moved to approve, but after discussion, the motion failed (nays prevailed). The ordinance was denied. - Ordinances 109-2024 and 110-2024 (Future Land Use and Rezoning for PIN 25800000003): These items were deferred to a future meeting to allow the development agreement to catch up. - Ordinance 87-2024 (Hwy 17 Business South Overlay): Third reading of an amendment to the overlay zone. Councilman Allen offered an amendment (text included in the packet), which was approved. The main motion was then deferred to the next meeting. - Ordinances 111-2024 and 112-2024 (Cates Bay Subdivision): First reading of a rezoning (FA to MRD 1) and a future land use change (Rural to Rural Communities) for PIN 37800000041. The ordinances passed first reading. - Ordinance 114-2024 (AG 2 Rezoning): First reading of a rezoning from LFA to AG 2 for PIN 29702030001. Councilman Hardee asked for a no vote, and the ordinance was denied on first reading. - Ordinance 70-2024 (I-73 Official Map): Third reading to add Interstate 73 to the Official Map Index. Councilman Allen moved to separate the resolution and asked for a nay vote, stating that property owners should not be penalized until funding is secured. The ordinance was denied on third reading. - Resolution R-115-2024 (I-73 Exemption): This resolution was not voted on, as it became moot with the denial of Ordinance 70-2024. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda approved (with recusal by Councilman Servant). - Ordinance 106-2024 denied (first reading) – motion to approve failed; nays carried. - Ordinances 109-2024 and 110-2024 deferred to a future meeting. - Ordinance 87-2024 amended and deferred to the next meeting. - Ordinances 111-2024 and 112-2024 passed first reading. - Ordinance 114-2024 denied (first reading) – nays carried. - Ordinance 70-2024 denied (third reading) – nays carried. - Resolution R-108-2024 (Fire Prevention Week) approved unanimously. - Memorial dedications: Councilman Anderson and Hardee recognized several individuals.