Maria Caspento, Realtor

Conveniently located to Hwy 501 and Hwy 544, it is just 5 minutes from Conway Medical Center and 10 from CCU. This 2 bedroom/2bath condo has all new LVP flooring and crown molding throughout living areas, carpet in bedrooms. Master bedroom with large walk in closet. New kitchen cabinets, counters, and stainless steel appliances. Don't miss out on this beautiful condo.

Myrtle Beach City Council gave the final approval this week to a $330.2 million budget for next fiscal year, which starts July 1. This is a 7.8 percent decrease from the prior budget year. There will not be a tax increase. Myrtle Beach's property tax rate remains 88.9 mills, and owner-occupied homes will continue to receive a 67.45 percent credit. That's $600 per year in savings on a home valued at $250,000, thanks to the Tourism Development Fee (TDF).

As you can see below, Myrtle Beach's property taxes are among the lowest in the state. The new budget also does not increase business license fees. There are slight increases in the solid waste fee ($1.01 per month) and water and sewer rates ($5.44 per month). A 2021 rate study also suggested an increase for the storm water fee ($2.50 per month).

The budget includes 14 new fulltime positions within the City of Myrtle Beach and a five percent salary increase for all fulltime employees. Some of the additional positions include two Zoning Code Enforcement Officers, two Paramedics, a FOIA paralegal and a handful of various city maintenance positions. In order to recruit and retain employees in the ever-changing job market, the salary increase is necessary to remain competitive.

Some of the projects added the to five-year General Capital Improvement plan include a new Fire Station No. 1, family locker rooms at Pepper Geddings and Mary C. Canty Recreation Centers, a Vietnam War Memorial, splash pad at McLeod Park and renovations at Ashley Booth Field and the Myrtle Beach Tennis Center. The grand total for the new additions to the five-year plan is $41.2 million. Only the first year of the five-year plan is authorized with the adoption of the FY25 budget.

Projects you are likely to see construction on during FY25 include public restrooms along Ocean Boulevard, the Vietnam War Memorial, the deepwater ocean outfall at 24th Avenue North, parking garage maintenance at The Market Common, Doug Show Memorial Stadium renovations and Grand Park field replacements.

Property taxes (23.9%) and business licenses and permits (32%) make up more than 55% of the General Fund revenue. State law requires the city to pass a balanced budget, and this one is. Deficit spending is not allowed in South Carolina.