City council met Monday, May 18 and passed the first reading of a $111,029,313 municipal budget that will add 30 new jobs, increase staff pay, hire 30 new, full-time employees.
The proposed budget for the 2027 fiscal year is about $100,000 less than the current budget. This decrease is due to the completion of several large projects that the city has been carrying for the last few years.
The proposed budget will include cost of living salary increase of 3.3% for qualifying employees. To help fund this pay raise, the city will increase property tax millage, by the same percentage, from 98.1 mills to 101.3 mills.
This would mean that a property valued at $400,000 will pay $51 more for annual property taxes this year — costing about $1,621.
Taxes on a $300,000 property will be $1,215 — an increase of $38, while taxes on a $200,00 property will be $810 — an increase of about $25.
Water and sewer rates
Under the proposed budget, if it passes a second reading, solid waste collection fees will increase from $32 to $33.
Water and sewer rates are also on the rise. While water and sewer rates were initially projected to increase by only 3.3%, a significantly larger rate hike from Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority forced city officials to adjust. Consequently, water rates will increase by 10%, while sewer rates will hold at the projected 3.3% increase to keep pace with rising service costs.
Grand Strand Water is the only water provider that is available to the city.
Monday’s meeting also served as the public hearing for the budget. No residents spoke in favor or against the budget.
City council’s next meeting is planned for Monday, June 1 at 4 p.m.