CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – The Horry County Infrastructure and Regulation Committee will meet Tuesday morning to discuss the Parks and Recreation systems and how it affects county taxpayers.
Horry County Councilman Johnny Vaught said they’ll be discussing if people living in unincorporated parts of Horry County should be paying for city parks and recreation programs.
Vaught said this discussion came about because the county refunds $200,000 to municipal parks and recreation departments in Horry County. That money comes from taxpayers, and it’s supposed to help support programs at city recreation centers. However, Vaught said people living in unincorporated parts of the county aren’t able to participate in city programs like basketball or soccer leagues because they live outside city limits. If they do participate, he said they have to pay an extra fee.
As for Tuesday’s meeting, county leaders will be talking about whether or not county residents should continue paying for city programs they can’t use without an extra fee, because people living inside the city limits still participate in county programs at no additional cost.
“We’re looking at that to see, first off, is that a problem?” said Vaught. “If so, is there a way that we can modify that fee structure so that we can recoup some of those fees to help us with our budgetary problems in the county recreation systems.”
Vaught said money is tight in the parks and recreation budget, so they need to take a look at how they’re spending each penny. “We only have one more year with the budget like it is, and then we’re going to have to do something,” said Vaught.
“Do we increase fees or do we cut back programs?” said Vaught. “Neither one of those is a good option, but we may have to do one or the other.” He said they are requesting information to find out exactly how many people living inside city limits are participating in county recreation programs. “We’re exploring all our options possible to try and decide what is the best thing to do to keep as much recreation opportunities going out to the county residents.”
The committee meeting is Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the Horry County Council conference room and it is open to everyone.