I-73, stormwater and recreation centers: Horry County Council debates long term projects
Horry County Council canceled its contract to build I-73, but the interstate is still a part of the county’s 10-year capital improvement plans.
While the future of the road is still in question due to the hospitality fee lawsuit, the county is including the road in its long range planning document.
“It’s good planning,” Council Member Harold Worley said at Friday’s budget meeting. “It sends a message we’re putting ours in.”
To be clear, putting a road project into a capital plan does not mean any tax or fee money is going to change hands anytime soon. The capital improvement plan just lists what projects could be funded over the next 10 years and when the money will be needed. Council will debate, subtract and add to this plan as they fine tune the budget later this spring and at future budget retreats.
But if this plan was enacted exactly as presented on Friday, $50 million could go toward I-73 construction over the next decade. Of that, $4.3 million could be committed in next year’s budget with council’s approval.
Horry County Chairman Johnny Gardner said putting I-73 in the plan shows the federal government Horry County is serious about building the road. But leaders in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Washington D.C. need to get on board or Horry County will decide to spend its money elsewhere.
“I have said all along I support I-73, but I do not want Horry County to go it alone,” Gardner said. “If they’re not going to help, I don’t see why Horry County should be the only one.”
For Horry County, the funding will most likely be taken from hospitality fee revenue collected in unincorporated Horry County which is not in dispute. Myrtle Beach and the municipalities are only contesting the hospitality fee being collected within their borders.
Local leaders across Horry County are expected to vote on a deal to end the lawsuit this week.
Beyond I-73, the capital improvement plan identifies potential projects the county could fund, including J. Reuben Long Detention Center repairs, fire station relocation, drainage improvements, Loris and Aynor Recreation centers and purchasing land for a Carolina Forest interchange onto S.C. Highway 31.
Particularly, the stormwater projects aim to clear obstructions to waterflow and increase the capacity of watershed, according to Assistant County Administrator David Gilreath.
The projects will be funded in future projects through a variety of funding, including tax money, bonds, grants and impact fees depending on when they need funding.
For projects to be funded in the upcoming budget, the council will have a second budget workshop in the spring to fine tune which projects will be financed first ahead of approving the budget in June.
Longer term projects will be decided at future budget retreats.
This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 3:29 PM.
