The Myrtle Beach City budget was approved last week.
S.C. State law requires each unit of local government to approve a balanced budget for each new fiscal year beginning July 1, with operational and financial expenditure details.
For reference sake, the city of Conway has an $85 million budget for the coming year. The North Myrtle Beach budget is over $207 million, and includes a 3 mil tax increase from 45 mils to 48 mils. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will receive $54 million in tax subsidies, putting it on par with most city governments in S.C.
The Myrtle Beach City Budget is $330.2 million, even though the city has no more land mass than its sister cities in Horry County.
Notable highlights of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget include:
- No Tax Increase. Myrtle Beach’s property tax rate remains 88.9 mills. Owner-occupied homes will continue to receive a credit of 67.45 percent. That’s $600 per year in savings on a home valued at $250,000, thanks to the Tourism Development Fee (TDF).
- No Increase to Business License and Myrtle Beach Convention Center Fees. These fees will remain unchanged.
- Increases to Solid Waste and Recreation Fees. Myrtle Beach residents will see a $1.01 per month increase in their solid waste fee. This fee reflects the level of service provided to a growing number of residential and commercial customers. Youth Sports fees are rising to accommodate the rapidly increasing number of participants. The City of Myrtle Beach covers all costs per child associated with uniforms and sports equipment. The average uniform costs per child for baseball, football and cheerleading are $33, $260 and $89, respectively. Baseball, softball and basketball fees will be $35 for residents and $60 for non-residents. Cheerleading fees will be $50 for residents and $75 for non-residents. Football costs will be $50 for residents and $75 for non-residents. Children are eligible for youth sports scholarships if their family is receiving government assistance.
- Increases in Water and Sewer Rates. Much of the nine percent increase is due to increasing wholesale costs per gallon by the city’s supplier, Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority. The rest is for system upgrades, maintenance and operations to accommodate the increasing number of customers. The increase will average to $5.44 per month for a typical family of four using 7,500 gallons of water. Less, if you use less water.
- Increase to Stormwater Fee. The fee is increasing based on 2021 rate studies. The fee will increase 22%, or $2.50 per month for a homeowner. Effective stormwater planning and management allows the city to recovers quickly from heavy rainfall events, improves community members’ health and quality of life, provides significant long-term savings and supports economic resilience.
- Capital Improvement Projects. Projects on the list to be completed in FY25 include a Vietnam War Memorial, visitor locker rooms at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium, a special events storage building, roof repairs and renovations to Fire Stations 5 and 2, field replacements and a new walking path at Grand Park and façade and lobby renovation at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. The new deepwater ocean outfall at 24th Avenue North is also on the schedule to be completed in the next year along with other stormwater management and water and sewer improvements.
- Five Percent Salary Increase for Fulltime City Staff. The budget includes a five percent salary increase for all fulltime employees to help maintain a more competitive marketplace. This is especially important for the recruitment and retention of public safety positions. Without adequate staffing, the city cannot provide the “First in Service” level of staffing that residents, businesses and visitors expect. Part-time staff received a raise earlier in the year that put part-time positions in line with the current market.