Horry County Administration Committee Meeting Summary

The Horry County Administration Committee met on March 24, 2026, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the County Council Conference Room, with Chairman Tyler Servant presiding. Cam Crawford offered the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The committee heard economic development updates, reviewed county finances and operating reports, and unanimously approved four action items.

Opening and Administrative Approvals

• The committee unanimously approved the meeting agenda contents.
• The committee unanimously approved the minutes of the January 27, 2026 Administration Committee meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up or provided comments.

Discussion Items

MBREDC Update

• Sandy Davis reported that MBREDC closed 2025 with three announcements totaling more than $25 million in capital investment and 130 new jobs. In 2026, the county has announced a second Amazon location with more than $15 million in investment and at least 100 jobs.
• She said MBREDC is working 278 open leads and 54 active projects, its largest project count to date, and private membership funds have grown to more than $400,000, nearly matching county operating support.
• Marketing efforts include five planned marketing missions, five trade shows, a first-time PGA trade show visit that met 10 companies, and a Miami boat show. A project manager was in Texas on a mission with NESA.
• Davis also reported a $372,500 high-impact grant award to help purchase an industrial park with natural gas, continued work on the Ascot Valley spec building, progress on the Rivernet Gas Line after a Supreme Court ruling in favor of Dominion, and ongoing Opportunity Zone work.

NESA Update

• Jeff McKay presented the NESA update (the transcript uses "NISA"). He said NESA conducted 16 marketing missions last year and finished 2025 with 71 projects on its books.
• The region recorded 13 announcements in 2025 with more than 400 jobs and roughly $426 million in capital investment; in 2026 to date, four announcements have brought more than 200 jobs and more than $279 million in investment.
• He cited tariffs, energy availability, infrastructure, access to capital and interest rates, and midterm elections as factors slowing company decisions. Active sectors include fabricated/primary metal products, food and beverage, data centers, industrial machinery, wood/paper products, aerospace, marine/maritime, and non-metallic minerals.
• NESA inquiries show 42% seeking greenfield sites, 38% existing buildings, and 20% open to either; the average building size sought is 270,000 square feet, and only 21% require rail access.

Financial Update – February 2026

• Jamie Norman reported revenues across all funds of approximately $356.9 million, with almost 68% in the general fund, and expenditures across all funds of approximately $235.5 million, with 74% in the general fund.
• General fund revenues were $241.6 million, almost 84% of the annual budget, while expenditures were $174 million, 59% of budget. Revenues were 5.9% higher and expenditures 12.2% higher than the prior year.
• She noted collection of almost 99% of real and personal property taxes, with vehicle taxes, interest, and Register of Deeds fees also performing better than expected.
• Special revenue fund net changes in fund balance were reported as: fire $15.3 million, road maintenance $5.8 million, beach renourishment $6.1 million, stormwater $10.6 million, recreation $3.3 million, and waste management/recycling $10 million. In response to a question, she explained that road maintenance work is mostly done in summer and unspent road maintenance funds carry forward.

GFOA Budget Award

• Shannon Todd announced Horry County received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 36th consecutive year and thanked the finance team and departments.

Veterans Affairs Evaluation Assessment

• Shannon Todd recognized the Veterans Affairs office after the State Department of Veterans Affairs evaluation. The assessment said the Horry County Veterans Affairs Office is "one of the most effective in the entire state" and "exceptionally strong," and described the county's CVAO as "one of the most experienced and capable in South Carolina." She noted the office assists nearly 30,000 veterans.

Annual OSHA Update

• Risk Manager Shelly Moore presented the 2025 OSHA 300A summary. Compared with 2024, 2025 had 7 more cases with days away from work, 6 more restricted-duty cases, 4 fewer medical-only cases, and 9 more total injuries. However, days away from work fell by 175 and restricted-duty days fell by 1,075.
• She noted the county averaged 58 more employees and worked more than 301,000 additional hours in 2025, and the workers' compensation experience modifier is currently 0.85, down from FY24, producing premium savings.

HC Connect App Update

• Justin Schools from IT said the HC Connect app, launched in 2018, is being sunset because of increased regulations and the improved mobile-friendly website; its functionality has been moved to the county website.

Actions

• Fair Housing Month Resolution: Beth Tranter presented a resolution designating April 2026 as Fair Housing Month, noting that April 11, 2026 is the 58th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act and that South Carolina enacted its Fair Housing Law in 1989. The committee approved it unanimously.
• DOJ Victim Services Grant Resolution: Beth Tranter presented a resolution authorizing the Behavioral Services Department to submit and accept, if awarded, a U.S. Department of Justice Office of Victim Services grant of up to $1,200,000 for the Horry County Housing Stabilization Program. The program would operate two trauma-informed transitional housing units in partnership with Eastern Carolina Housing Organization and Engaging Minds. In response to a question, Tranter explained it serves victims who need transitional housing and wraparound services. The committee approved it unanimously.
• Airport ARFF Truck Fund Transfer: Airport Director Judi Olmstead requested transfer of $1,500,000 from Project A0095 (Terminal Contingency) to Account 540004 for a replacement Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Truck. The truck replaces a 2009 Rosenbauer and has a roughly 15-month delivery lead time, so the airport needs to issue a purchase order before FY2027; funds would be transferred back on July 1. The committee approved it unanimously.
• Abandoned Building Certification – 1009 US-501: David Jordan presented a resolution certifying the former Food Lion site at 1009 US-501, Myrtle Beach, as an abandoned building site under the South Carolina Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act, making it eligible for state tax credits. A December 2020 Sun News article documenting the closure was included. The committee approved it unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All four action items were approved unanimously by the committee.
• No old business or executive session was conducted.
• The next Administration Committee meeting is scheduled for April 28, 2026.
• The meeting adjourned after the committee-approved motions.