Saturday, November 16, 2024
As Horry County Council continues talks on next fiscal year’s budget, a large increase in county taxes will be part of the deliberations.
According to county sources familiar with budget planning, a tax increase of approximately 6.3 mills for the county’s general operating fund is being considered by Horry County Council.
The plan amounts to a 17.7% increase in county tax millage for the general operating fund, which is expected to bring in an additional $13-$15 million in new tax revenue.
Oversight of the Horry County Department of Airports may change based on an ordinance that will be considered by the county’s Administration Committee.
The ordinance, if approved by Horry County Council, would eliminate the Horry County Airport Advisory Board.
The Airport Advisory Board is appointed by Horry County Council. It meets once a month to provide input and recommendations to council about airport matters.
In the past, the Airport Advisory Board has been a rubber stamp for airport staff and Horry County Council, especially on issues like new terminals at Myrtle Beach International Airport. Frankly, it failed to perform its advisory oversight mission.
More recently, however, it was questions by several board members that led to not tearing down portions of the old terminal complex at the airport.
I was happy to see Horry County Council table a budget amendment Tuesday for façade work on the old passenger terminal at Myrtle Beach International Airport.
The action keeps $3.5 million from being spent needlessly since plans for what to do with that portion of the old terminal don’t exist.
Saving $3.5 million is a drop in the bucket of money that has been spent needlessly at the airport over the last 15-20 years.
Coast RTA will receive its 4th quarter funding from Horry County despite not completing some required tasks in its funding agreement with the county.
However, if Horry County Council comments Tuesday night were any indication, it is still unclear if Coast RTA will receive the same level, or any, funding from the county in the new fiscal year that begins July 1, 2015.
By an 8-3 vote, council followed the suggestion of council chairman Mark Lazarus to release 4th quarter funding “for the public’s benefit, for riders and for employees (of Coast RTA).”
The Horry County Department of Airports is preparing to spend at least $10 million refurbishing the old passenger terminal building.
This is on top of the approximately $120 million spent in the last few years for a new terminal building.
There should be some justification for these expenses, but it’s hard to fathom what that is when looking at passenger numbers at Myrtle Beach International Airport.
Blaine Garren announced his candidacy for the open Horry County Council seat in District 6 during a press conference Friday.
The press conference was held at 3 p.m. at the Socastee Library on Hwy 707.
A special election will be held to select a new member to fill the unexpired term of recently deceased council member Bob Grabowski.
If perception is reality in politics, Coast RTA funding from Horry County is in deep trouble.
That is the perception I have after watching last night’s Horry County Council meeting.
It centers around one huge public relations gaffe and several shortfalls on the part of Coast RTA.
It’s not a good thing when the chairman of Horry County Council says to Coast RTA representatives “it’s almost as if we don’t exist up here” and “that board (Coast) is not taking this county council seriously.”
One of the more interesting discussions at the recent Horry County Council budget retreat dealt with the county’s Department of Airports.
Concerns were expressed about the county’s three general aviation airports, Grand Strand, Conway and Loris, all losing money.
The Department of Airports showed a net operating loss of approximately $150,000 last year. The three general aviation airports accounted for a total loss of approximately $400,000 while Myrtle Beach International Airport showed a profit of approximately $250,000.
Special election dates have been set for Horry County Council District 6 to fill the unexpired term of Bob Grabowski.
Filing for the special election will open April 17, 2015 and close April 27, 2015. Candidates will file with the respective party they wish to contest in on the primary ballot.
The special primary elections for District 6 will be held June 16, 2015.
According to several sources, Horry County Council member Bob Grabowski died from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound approximately one hour ago.
According to those sources, Grabowski called his brother to tell him of his intentions and gave the contact information for Horry County Police Chief Saundra Rhodes.
Grabowski, who has worked for PTR Industries for approximately one year, took his life in the woods near the plant in Cool Springs Industrial Park.
Speak Up…