Tax hike coming for Myrtle Beach as city looks to hire more police, retain talent

Taxes will be going up for Myrtle Beach property owners next month when a $292 million budget takes hold to cover pay increases and 47 new hires within the fast growing city.

Overall, it’s a 4 percent increase from current spending levels. The 2022-23 fiscal year begins July 1.

The City Council approved a budget June 14 that bumps property tax rates by $10 annually on an owner-occupied home assessed at $100,000. The collection amount varies depending on a home’s value and ownership status but the tax hike is expected to generate an extra $4 million per year.

Taxes derived through tourism activities such as fees on hotel rooms will bring in a projected $1.8 million more.

“I don’t think you can read any article, any trade paper that doesn’t tell you that wage inflation has gone through the roof,” Michelle Shumpert, the city’s chief financial officer, said June 14 at a City Council meeting.

The pandemic-fueled “Great Resignation” that led to more than 47 million people voluntarily quitting their jobs in 2021 means recruitment and retention are top priorities for city leaders.

“To be able to attract those folks here to the government, to be able to provide those services that we do, we need to keep some of the best employees here,” Shumpert said.

City manager Fox Simons recommended Myrtle Beach’s minimum wage for public sector workers would jump from $12.71 an hour to $15.75 in the fiscal year that starts July 1, while the average dollar increase would rise by $4,592.

Police officer pay would be even more significant, than the proposed average 8% pay increase for all city employees: An overall average of 12.1 percent more specifically for police officers, or $6,766 a year.

Shumpert said 25 of the 47 new positions would be for police officers as the city continues to beef up public safety.

“We’ve all talked about that being a priority for both council and our citizens,” she said. “Myrtle Beach is one of the top fastest growing MSAs in the country. So to meet those needs, we’ve added these positions.”

This story was originally published June 15, 2022 at 10:39 AM.