Myrtle Beach councilwoman absent since losing re-election but is still getting paid
A Myrtle Beach Councilwoman has not attended four consecutive city council meetings after losing her re-election campaign last month and continues to be paid.
Since Councilwoman Mary Jeffcoat’s loss to newcomer John Krajc in the Nov. 19 run-off elections, Myrtle Beach officials have held four meetings — a two-day planning retreat on Dec. 5-6 that provided an overview of the year and discussed future plans for the city ahead of 2020, a regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 10, and a special meeting called to vote on the controversial hospitality fee lawsuit Monday night.
In addition to bi-weekly paychecks to fulfill a $15,000 salary, Jeffcoat, who served two terms on council from 1984 to 1992 and was elected to a third term in 2015, also receives a $495 monthly car allowance, according to City Spokesperson Mark Kruea.
Jeffcoat told The Sun News she didn’t attend the two-day planning retreat as it related to the future of Myrtle Beach. Since she wouldn’t be serving another term on council, she felt it would be “appropriate” to leave the planning to those who will be.
“I have explained why I haven’t been there, and they have been completely legitimate reasons,” Jeffcoat told The Sun News. “They are perfectly legitimate reasons.”
She was on vacation in San Juan during the following meeting, and said she was too ill to attend Monday’s special meeting.
“I have a very bad cold and did not want to share my germs with my co-workers,” Jeffcoat said. “I advised Mr. (John) Pedersen that, in the unlikely event I was needed for a quorum, to let me know and I would attend.”
Officials only addressed her absence during the Dec. 10 meeting.
Jeffcoat also mentioned she likely won’t be in attendance during council’s Jan. 14 meeting, citing a family obligation.
“I don’t know yet if I’ll be there because my granddaughter needs me on that day,” Jeffcoat said. “My life has been nothing but City Council for the last four years. I have put everything on hold for the city, and if my granddaughter needs me, I’m going to be there with her.”
While Krajc will officially be sworn in and take his seat on the dais during that meeting, Kruea said Jeffcoat will continue to be paid through that date, resulting in about $2,600 earned in her absence.
This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 9:50 AM.
