Myrtle Beach City Council gave first reading to a tight budget for 2020-21 fiscal year

Myrtle Beach plans no change in property taxes and no fee increases for next year’s budget.  During Tuesday’s meeting, the Myrtle Beach City Council gave first reading to a tight budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.  Council approved a 2020-21 spending plan of $193.7 million.  That’s down $7.8 million from the current fiscal year.

The proposed budget calls for no property tax increase and no rate increases for water, sewer, stormwater or recreation services.  It does include money for 10 new police officers, thanks to a federal grant that pays 75 percent of their salaries for the next three years.  The city will fund the remaining 25 percent, along with two new police cars, equipment and training.

Otherwise, next year’s budget features:  limited capital outlays; no new general capital projects; a suspension of fleet replacements; a delay in filling staff vacancies; a continued limit on use of temporary and part-time staff; suspension of merit and/or market pay increases; management of overtime expenses; and a suspension of the holiday bonus.  The plan strives to keep service levels unchanged in a tight economic environment.

As shown in the attached graph, Public Safety accounts for 57 percent of the General Fund, or $48.3 million for Police and Fire.  The General Fund provides core city services through property taxes, business license fees and other general revenues.  Enterprise funds are fee-based city services, including the water and sewer systems and solid waste collection. 

The second graph shows the number of authorized full-time positions, by department and function, in next year’s budget.  The only increase in personnel will be the 10 additional police officers.  Second and final reading of the new budget is scheduled for June 23.