Horry County Council announced Tuesday night a new four year contractual agreement with county administrator Chris Eldridge.

In the new contract, Eldridge will receive $170,000 pay with $10,000 increases each year over the next three years — ending with a $200,000 yearly salary in his last year of the contract. In addition to the base salary, the contract calls for a sum of $9600 per year as a vehicle allowance to be used to purchase, lease or own, operate and maintain a vehicle. The monthly allowance will increase each year by 4% per the contract.

Eldridge currently makes a little more than $157,000 annually per the contract he signed in 2012.

Related: Click to view Horry Co. Administrator Chris Eldridge’s 2015 contract (pdf document)

Council said a big reason for the raise and subsequent raises is that Eldridge will take on the responsibilities of the County’s Public Safety Director. That salary for that position is $140,000. In Tuesday’s meeting, Chairman Lazarus says Eldridge is doing the job council hired for him and making tough decisions.

News13 looked into how the raise is possible considering last month council discussed cutting employees benefits. News13 reached out to Mr. Eldridge who declined on camera and phone interviews. Instead, he would only respond via email through the public administration officer.

When asked what he would say to county employees about his raise, Eldridge replied, “Council has had no discussions about cutting benefits. Council voted at their recent budget retreat to separate general leave back into vacation and sick leave.”

However, in March County Council discussed ways to reduce the millions of dollars going towards benefits to county employees.

“We are not balancing this budget and will not balance this budget on the back of the employees of Horry County so anybody out there that doesn’t hear that, we’re not going to do that. We’re going to come up with, this council is going to do it. I’m telling you. We’re going to make it happen but we’re going to have to make some extremely tough decision to make that happen,” Chairman Mark Lazarus said Tuesday’s meeting.

Council hopes to approve a final budget in June.