Myrtle Beach Council Members May See Significant Salary Increase After 25 Years

Myrtle Beach Council Member Salaries Could Get a Boost!

Are you ready for some exciting news from our beloved Myrtle Beach? Well, it turns out our Horry County Council might soon be getting a big ol’ **pay raise**! According to the latest updates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Horry County is not just the largest county in South Carolina by area; it’s also the fastest-growing one! With all that growth comes some discussions about how to compensate our hardworking council members. Let’s get into it!

A Long Time Coming

Now, here’s the scoop: The Horry County Administrative Committee has put together a budget ordinance that suggests awarding council members a **$5,000 annual raise** starting January 1, 2025. That’s a **30% increase** on what they currently earn! Can you believe the last time they saw a raise was back in 1999? Yep, it’s been a whopping 25 years! They almost had a hike back in 2023, but that idea was voted down.

Here’s the kicker: state law says they can’t just up and give themselves a raise right away. They need to wait until after the next general election, which is coming up in November. So fingers crossed that this proposal sails through the council.

Current Salaries and Comparisons

So, what does the council currently earn? Each member currently makes **$15,966.08 a year**, and they can spend up to **$4,000** on related expenses like travel and training. The chairman, on the other hand, holds a slightly cushier spot with a **$25,750.40 salary** and up to **$5,500** for expenses. When you compare these numbers to larger counties like Greenville and Charleston, it’s clear our council members are quite a bit on the lower end of the pay scale. For instance, a Greenville County council member makes about **$33,760**! That’s quite a difference.

Why the Raise is Needed

The proposed increase isn’t just about giving the council members a little extra cash; it reflects the **increasing cost of living** we’ve all felt, with inflation hitting over 89% in the past 25 years. The total cost to the county for the new raise could be around **$77,040**, but supporters of the raise argue that it’s necessary given the current economic climate and the growth our county is experiencing.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The ordinance will need to pass three readings by the county council before it can officially kick in. If everything goes smoothly, we could see our council members walking away with a fatter paycheck in no time! Isn’t that exciting?

As residents of Myrtle Beach, it’s always great to see changes that reflect our town’s growth and health. And while we might not all be council members living on a comfy salary, we’re still part of the community that gets to witness and share in its progress!

So, keep your ears to the ground as this story continues to unfold. Let’s hope our council members receive the recognition they deserve for the hard work they’ve put into making Horry County such a fabulous place to live!