Surfside Beach is launching an internal investigation after thwarted pay hikes. Here’s why

After several Surfside Beach leaders were handed pay raises through budget amendments that were later vetoed by the town’s council, changes to how the spending plan is written could be on the way, Mayor Bob Hellyer said July 13.

“It’s just a matter of paperwork getting cleaned up. And yes, I will say that maybe some of the processes that we have were not followed, you know, 100 percent. But that’s something that we can clear up, and that’s no big deal,” Hellyer said. “There’s nothing criminal.”

Minutes from the June 27 and July 3 meetings where the salaries were discussed don’t include compensation rates.

The town on July 13 issued a press release acknowledging heavy social media chatter around former interim administrator and current fire chief Robert Clemons, police chief Kenneth Hofmann and other unnamed staffers.

The town’s police department came under criticism over the July 4 weekend when it posted to Facebook that concealed and open carry of weapons was barred at town-sponsored events like its farmers market - prompting some critics to call for Hoffman’s removal.

Hellyer declined to provide more information about the nature of complaints or whether any of them were related to the Independence Day post, but said officials felt the need to publicly respond given the fire and police chiefs’ stature.

“...the Mayor and members of Town Council take very seriously any allegations of misconduct or impropriety and are committed to acting promptly upon receiving any such allegations, the statement says. “However, equally as important is ensuring our Town employees are not unjustly accused of impropriety, and if/when allegations emerge that the public may view as having originated from Council, that Council promptly disassociate from any such false allegation.”

Town administrator Gerald Vincent is expected to present “corrective measures” to council members after completing an investigation.