Horry County Council passed a 7.2 tax millage increase they say to help balance the county’s budget as well as add funds to its operations.
The tax increase will cost residents $28 per $100,000 household and bring in a surplus of $13.5 million to the county.
The majority of the money $8.03 million will go back into the county’s budget.
The rest will go towards employee raises ($2.9 million) and first responders expenses like body cameras, new detectives, and new stretchers.
The millage increase is the most the state will allow in a fiscal year and several council members were opposed to the increase.
Council Member Gary Loftus proposed an alternative budget that would lower the millage increase down to 6.1 mills, however the plan was reject by council majority.
Several council members suggested moving forward with the county’s first proposed budget that included no pay increase for employees, but that was also rejected.
In a six to five vote, the budget with the full 7.2 millage increase passed.
Council members Johnny Vaught, Gary Loftus, James Frazier, Bill Howard, Al Allen and council chairman Mark Lazarus voted in favor of the increase.
Council members Marion Foxworth, Paul Prince, Jody Prince, Harold Worley and Tyler Servant voted against the increase.
As well as the property tax increase, the budget also included increases in road maintenance fees and building permit fees.
