Crawford, Loftus, DiSabato, Howard, Bellamy, Vaught and Servant vote to extend tax

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David Hucks
David Huckshttps://myrtlebeachsc.com
David Hucks is a 12th generation descendant of the area we now call Myrtle Beach, S.C. David attended Coastal Carolina University and like most of his family, has never left the area. David is the lead journalist at MyrtleBeachSC.com

The Hospitality Fee (tax) settlement with the City of Myrtle Beach was extended into perpetuity tonight. Councilman Dennis DiSabato added one amendment which requires the City of Myrtle Beach not pay approximately $7 million in legal fees to the city’s lawyers. Those legal fees were included for 8 months of legal work.

Councilman Johnny Vaught informed council that state law does not allow legal fees to be paid with Hospitality tax funds.

Despite strong protests from the other five councilmen, Councilmen Cam Crawford, Gary Loftus, Dennis DiSabato, Bill Howard, Orton Bellamy, Johnny Vaught, and Tyler Servant voted for the amendment.

Crawford, Loftus, and DiSabato are all up for re-election and will likely face strong opposition in the June primaries.

Councilman Harold Worley pointed out that the taxes collected only amount to $14.5 million annually to pay for a $2.4 billion road. The road is underfunded, only reaches to the Horry County line, is an environmental nightmare, and will take 165 years to pay for at the current rate of collections.

How we got here

The tax began as a referendum in 1996. The resident referendum failed. However, in 1997 Representative Alan Clemmons and Senator Luke Rankin worked to change state-wide legislation so as to get the tax passed by County Council vote with the approval of local elected city councils. This effort worked around local voters entirely.

The tax sunset-ted in 2017. However, then Chairman Mark Lazarus and many of those currently on county council, seemed to wave a magic wand and extended the tax into perpetuity.

MyrtleBeachSC news stated, at the time, extending the tax was constitutionally illegal. Leaders inside Myrtle Beach, however, claimed our statements were false. Those elected leaders spoke out on social media claiming MyrtleBeachSC news was anti-tourism.

Fast forward to Spring 2019, Mayor Bethune and the entire Myrtle Beach City Council sued, stating the tax had been extended illegally.

Insiders For McMaster
BEST FRIENDS…. Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune and Husband. Former Horry County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus and Wife

The city, however, now wants the illegal tax extended with 30% of the tax revenues dedicated to building I-73.

As Council Chairman Johnny Gardner stated, “The City of Myrtle Beach is unwilling to put their signatures on any of the highway contracts.

Councilman Al Allen warned that passing this agreement puts Horry County on the hook for the next 12 years minimum.

History indicates that once right of ways are bought and the pavers begin, this tax is sure to last longer than the 165 years.

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