McBride's suit against Myrtle Beach in court today

The lawsuit former Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride filed against the city to stop it from collecting the 1 percent tourism development tax it implemented this summer will gets its first hearing in Horry County Circuit Court today .

McBride says the city held an improper vote on the tax, and therefore has no right to collect it. Horry County 15th Circuit Court Judge Larry Hyman is scheduled to hear motions in the case at 9:30 a.m.

McBride is asking the judge to issue an immediate and permanent injunction. He has also included the S.C. Department of Revenue in his suit over the tax on prepared food, accommodations and retail items that is designed to help the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce promote tourism.

The city is prepared with excerpts of various meetings McBride led when he was mayor, following the same procedure he now says is improper.

City Manager Tom Leath is filing an affidavit about voting procedures, and the revenue department has also responded to McBride's allegations.