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Council passes packet budget amendments after failing to strip $300,000 Solid Waste study line; approves volunteer pay increase
Summary
During second reading of the FY2026–27 budget, council rejected an amendment to remove a $300,000 study allocation tied to the Solid Waste Authority, then approved the packet amendments as presented, added a $5 per-call raise for volunteer firefighters and directed staff to prepare revenue projections for services at the Central Coast Complex.
Horry County Council conducted the second reading and public hearing of the fiscal-year 2026–27 budget (Ordinance 28-2026) and debated amendments included in the packet. Councilmember Hardy moved to remove Section 31 — a $300,000 line item related to a Solid Waste Authority study — and return that funding to the authority’s original budget; that motion failed on the floor, with the clerk recording the amendment’s failure as 4 to 8.
After the failed motion, Councilmember DeSoto moved to pass the packet amendments as presented; council voted to approve the packet amendments, and the budget moved forward. The assembly also approved a motion (Causey) to increase volunteer firefighters' pay by $5 per call and voted unanimously to adopt that change.
Councilmember DeSobato requested staff prepare revenue projections before third reading specifically related to departments moving into the Central Coast Complex (treasurer and assessor offices) to ensure adequate funding; the chair said staff direction could be handled as part of the comprehensive budget process and would be addressed in two weeks.
Why it matters: The packet amendments alter the proposed county budget ahead of third reading. The $300,000 funding question for the Solid Waste study was a point of contention — council voted to retain the funding in the packet as printed — and the volunteer pay increase directly affects public-safety volunteer compensation.
What the record shows: The motion to remove Section 31 (the $300,000 figure) failed 4–8; the packet amendments as printed were then adopted. The record does not show detailed scope for the $300,000 study beyond references to the Solid Waste Authority.
