Myrtle Beach budget proposal focuses on infrastructure, doesn’t increase property tax

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - City officials are working to finalize next year’s budget and so far the focus has been on infrastructure and pay increases for city staff while maintaining property tax.

Tony Peterson is one of nearly 40,000 people who call Myrtle Beach home, but he said one of his biggest challenges should be a simple pleasure-- walking around his neighborhood.

“A lot of sidewalks, they’re cracked and they’re unlevel and they need to be repaired,” said Peterson.

But, Peterson’s annoyance may become a thing of the past. City leaders said they want to hire someone who will focus on sidewalk maintenance. It’s just one of several hires the city wants to make with their $330 million proposed budget for the next fiscal year.

“The budget itself answers all of the city’s priorities and goals, which is public safety, infrastructure, economic development and communication,” said City Manager Fox Simons.

Simons also said the public safety piece comes with hiring more paramedics and keeping the police department’s take-home car program alive.

First responders, along with all other city staff, could also see a pay increase, something City Councilman Bill McClure said he’s on board with.

“If we want the best, we have to be able to hire the best and pay the best,” said McClure.

Another goal -- Simons said the city wants to tackle nuisance properties. If passed, the budget could fund two more code enforcement officer positions.

Peterson tells WMBF News he has seen a lot of nuisance properties in his neighborhood.

“If the city has to pay to tear down all of those abandoned houses if they’ve already claimed them uninhabitable, then they need to allot that money, give them that money,” said Peterson.

Residents will not see a tax increase or an increase in business license fees.

The budget is not yet finalized and will need to go to the council for a first and second reading. If passed, it will go into effect in July.

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