CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – The Horry County Council meets Tuesday evening to discuss the final reading of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
According to county spokesperson, Kelly Moore, there are no planned tax increases for the new budget. One of the key parts of the new budget includes more funding for public safety officials. “In addition to that merit-based raise in our public safety division, the proposed budget includes an additional three percent raise for fire rescue personnel, as well as a one-dollar-per-hour increase for police officers,” said Moore. “That’s on top of that three percent countywide raise.”
Moore said with the county growth over the past year, more taxes are collected, which will fund the pay raises.
She said also there is a proposal to add a fourth litter crew to the county to help maintain major county roads. Right now, there are only three crews, but they are designated for tourist areas of the county.
Councilman Paul Prince said there will be discussion about two community centers in rural parts of the county. He said the county needs more of them, and he also said he wants to discuss allotting money for a fire and EMS station in the Longs area.
“If we don’t wise up in this county, and try to keep up with the services that are needed, our infrastructure’s going to just get deplorable,” said Councilman Prince. “We need to do things that are going to benefit our children, grandchildren, and our senior citizens.”
He also said he doesn’t agree that money collected for roads maintenance fees should only be used for that purpose. He said it’s being proposed to use some of the money for transportation with Coast RTA. “That’s not a department under county government, so we don’t have to do anything, because that’s state and federal,” said Councilman Prince. “We should figure out some other way if we’re going to be involved in it.”
He said he isn’t against raising taxes, but there will also be discussion on potentially adjusting stormwater fees.
The council meeting is at 6 p.m. at the Horry County Government and Justice Building. The budget will be voted on at the meeting, and the new fiscal year begins July 1.
