Horry County Administration Committee Meeting - June 24, 2025

The Horry County Administration Committee met on June 24, 2025, at 1:00 PM in the County Council Conference Room. The meeting included updates on the Council on Aging, a financial report for May 2025, an auditor presentation, GASB updates, a FEMA update, and approval of multiple resolutions related to the fiscal budget, HOME funding, Coast RTA, and employee guidelines. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the meeting agenda.
• Approval of the minutes from the April 29, 2025 meeting held on June 24, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public input was received.

Discussion Items

• Council on Aging Update (Elaine Gore): Gore reported that the Council on Aging celebrated its 50-year anniversary. Key service statistics for the first three quarters of FY2025 included: 50,748 congregate meals, 55,053 home-delivered meals, 3,679 homemaker services, and 21,118,000 miles of medical transportation. They currently operate 10 senior centers, with a consolidation of Loris and Mount Vernon reopening on June 30, 2025. Despite concerns about high costs, they are prepared to sustain service levels for FY2025-26.
• Financial Update – May 2025 (Jamie Norman): Norman presented financials for the 11th month (ending May 31, 2025). Total revenues across all funds were $402.5 million (69.5% from the general fund). General fund revenues were $279.7 million (102.7% of budget), expenditures were $209.0 million (79.2% of budget). General fund revenues were 10.3% higher than the prior year, and expenditures were 7.7% higher. Most revenue categories were performing at or above expectations.
• Auditor Presentation – Mauldin & Jenkins (Grant Davis): Davis outlined the scope and timeline for the FY2025 audit, including compliance with GAAS, GAS, and the Single Audit Act. The county is a low-risk auditee. Management’s override of internal controls was noted as a significant risk. Audit phases: interim work completed in May 2025, final field work in September/October 2025, and completion/delivery in November 2025.
• GASB Update & Implementation Schedule (Jamie Norman): Norman noted two new GASB standards required this fiscal year: GASB 101 (Compensated Absences, already implemented) and GASB 102 (Certain Risk Disclosures, applicable only if risks are identified).
• FEMA Update (Beth Tranter): Tranter reported on proposed federal changes to disaster funding, including a potential fourfold increase in public assistance declaration thresholds, elimination of automatic mitigation fund authorization, a cap on federal cost shares at 75%, and limitations on recreational facility reimbursements. The BRIC program has been eliminated. The county is monitoring changes and planning new cost strategies.
• Proposed Revisions to Employee Guidelines (Patrick Owens): Owens summarized changes: adding smoking policy to guidelines, clarifying grievance procedures, updating personnel file maintenance, adding flexibility for intermittent FMLA leave, clarifying employee arrest procedures (suspension without pay, possible termination), and clarifying FLSA classifications for exempt employees. Additional revisions on paid leave and hiring guidelines are anticipated in the fall/winter.
• Coast RTA Resolutions (Randy Haldi): Haldi presented two resolutions: (1) expressing support for Coast RTA’s federal grant application for low-emission buses and facilities, and (2) declaring intent to provide $25 million from RIDE IV funds for construction of a maintenance complex and passenger stations, subject to a future funding agreement.
• GSATS Policy Committee Appointment (Barry Spivey): Spivey noted a bylaw change requiring designated alternate members for the GSATS Policy Committee. The committee amended the resolution to appoint Chairman Tyler Servant and Councilman Mark Causey as alternate members for Council Chair Johnny Gardner and Councilman Gary Loftus, respectively.

Key Outcomes

• Council on Aging Update: Received as information.
• Financial Update: Received as information.
• Auditor Presentation: Received as information.
• GASB Update: Received as information.
• FEMA Update: Received as information.
• Resolution – State ATAX 30% Advertising & Promotion Fund Budget: Approved unanimously. The FY2026 budget is $2,088,149.30, subject to reduction based on May Policing Proviso.
• Resolutions – Reimbursement for Bond Expenditures (Items B, C, D, E): Four resolutions allowing reimbursement from tax-exempt bond proceeds for public safety facilities, fire facilities, RIDE IV projects, and stormwater projects at the Inlet Square Multi-County Business Park. All approved unanimously.
• Resolution – FY2027 Budget Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• Resolution – Revised Employee Guidelines: Approved unanimously.
• Resolutions – HOME-ARP and HOME Consortium Funding: Approved unanimously. Awards: $800,000 and $600,000 to Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO) for tenant-based rental assistance and supportive services; $390,000 to Habitat for Humanity for six new homes; $400,000 to ECHO for tenant-based rental assistance.
• Community Benefit Fund Requests: Approved unanimously: $15,000 to Christian Academy (District 2), $4,500 to Aynor FFA Booster Club (Districts 9,10,11), $3,000 to Fraser Community Center (District 7).
• Resolutions – Coast RTA Grant Support and RIDE IV Funding: Approved unanimously.
• Resolution – GSATS Alternate Members: Approved as amended (Tyler Servant and Mark Causey as alternates).
• Next Meeting: July 22, 2025.