Myrtle Beach residents began contacting members of Horry County Council this week requesting help with public safety problems in the city.

This is not as ridiculous as it sounds. After all, they are paying for it.

Countywide tax millage is paid by all property owners throughout Horry County. The Horry County Police Department is funded from the county’s general fund whose main revenue source is countywide tax millage.

City residents pay an additional level of taxes (citywide millage, fees and the like). The Myrtle Beach Police Department is funded from the city’s general fund whose main revenue source is the additional citywide tax millage.