Horry County Council

Horry County Plans To Sue Myrtle Beach Over Sale of Campground

Horry County is planning to sue the city of Myrtle Beach following a push by city officials to sell campground land, which directly benefits the Myrtle Beach International Airport.

A lis pendens was filed in court last week, which signals a “suit pending.” The court document highlights the 145 acres of contentious land inside the Lakewood Camping Resort and Pirateland Family Camping Resort that the city of Myrtle Beach plans on selling.

The Myrtle Beach City Council voted in November to sell the land. However, a second vote is needed and should occur in the next month or so.

Horry County officials directly oppose the sale of the land, citing its numerous benefits to the airport and the alleged overreach of legal obligations to the county.

“We’re going to do what we can do legally to protect that property so that we can protect the airport. The airport’s important to Horry County. The sole purpose of the money generated from [the properties] is to support the airport. If that is sold and that money goes somewhere else, it won’t be supporting the airport,” said Johnny Gardner, Horry County Council Chairman.

The court filings came as a shock to Myrtle Beach officials and it is unclear at this time how these actions may affect the next city council vote on the proposed sale of the land.

News

Mask Mandate to End this Month in Horry County

Beginning on October 30th, individuals in Horry County will no longer be required to wear a mask.

The Horry County Council voted 8 to 4 to end their mask mandate, as well as their current state of emergency.

Masks are still required in Myrtle Beach city limits. Businesses can also still require customers to wear a mask while at their establishment.

Those in favor of the mandate argued wearing masks could inevitably save lives and limit the spread of the pandemic. However, others argued there was little the county could do to enforce the mandate itself.

In an email forwarded to council members, Conway Medical Center CEO Bret Barr argued in favor of the mandate, highlighting the increasing number of cases that are “heading in the wrong direction and will soon become a skilled labor shortage issue if things don’t reverse.”

The council could issue a special meeting to vote on the mandate again within the next week or so.

Even though the mask mandate is set to end soon Horry County, officials are still suggesting the public wear them when necessary.

News

Tax Redesign To Be Launched in Horry County

Each year, tax-related confusion sets in on a number of Americans. Those owning property in Horry County can expect a new look to their bills in an attempt to reduce this perplexity. Plus, these changes have the possibility of saving Horry County thousands of dollars each year.

Amid an Administrative Committee meeting held by the Horry County Council, Treasurer Angie Jones claimed that the Assessor’s office and the County Auditor will work together to reduce muddled notices that weren’t specific enough. Taxpayers can expect more straightforward claims to be sent their way.

“Our tax notices have literally, what I call, turned into a monster coupon book,” Jones explains. “We’ve got so many inserts in them. Taxpayers are looking at the inserts and not looking at the tax notice or looking at the tax notice and not looking at the inserts.”

These efforts will go on to save what the county projects to be more than $50,000. Residents can expect personal property tax notices to see similar changes as well.