March 19, 2026 — Special Council Meeting
At this March 19, 2026 special meeting, Loris City Council passed three measures unanimously: a first-reading ordinance to sell 5.75 acres ± of the old Loris High School campus to Horry County for $315,000.00, $35,000.00 in hospitality-tax funds for new downtown seasonal decorations, and a $13,500.00 tree-trimming contract for downtown. A closed executive session on a personnel matter and a contractual matter produced no action.
At a glance
- Authorize the interim administrator to sign a contract to sell and purchase real property — convey 5.75 acres ± to Horry County
- Expenditure of hospitality tax funds for the purchase of seasonal decorations for downtown
- Review and consider proposals for downtown tree trimming
- Executive session — personnel matter and contractual matter
Read the full summary
On March 19, 2026, the Loris City Council held a special meeting with all seven elected officials present. The Council gave first reading to Ordinance 01-26, authorizing the interim administrator to sign a contract conveying 5.75 acres ± of the old Loris High School campus (PIN 186-00-00-0024, portion, bordering McQueen Street and Bryant Street) to Horry County for $315,000.00; the conveyance requires two readings and no public hearing, and the county will be responsible for the survey plat.
Council also approved $35,000.00 from the hospitality fund for new downtown holiday and seasonal decorations, and accepted a $13,500.00 bid from Mr. D's Tree & Landscaping Service LLC to trim and shape downtown trees, remove old Christmas lights, and haul away debris.
All three measures passed unanimously, with Mayor Suggs and all members voting favorably. No one from the public signed up to speak, and a reporter from The Loris Times attended without comment.
The Council entered executive session at 6:22 pm to discuss a personnel matter and a contractual matter and reconvened in open session at 6:54 pm; the mayor announced that no action or votes were taken in executive session.
Written by an AI from the verbatim record below, a convenience, not the official record. It may contain errors; the sourced items below are authoritative.
The item-by-item record
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Authorize the interim administrator to sign a contract to sell and purchase real property — convey 5.75 acres ± to Horry County
An ordinance to authorize the interim administrator to sign a contract to sell and purchase real property located in the City of Loris, so as to convey 5.75 acres ± owned by the City of Loris to Horry County, a body politic, said property bearing property identification number 186-00-00-0024 (portion), and the purchase price being Three Hundred Fifteen Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($315,000.00). Read by title only. Attorney Zilinsky gave a brief description of the property — a portion of the old Loris High School campus, bordering McQueen Street and Bryant Street. The conveyance requires two readings and does not require a public hearing; the county will be responsible for the survey plat, which will be brought back to council for approval by resolution.
- What it is
- This ordinance lets the interim administrator sign a contract to sell a 5.75-acre ± piece of the old Loris High School campus to Horry County.
- What it does
- Passed on first reading. A second reading is still required before the sale can take effect. The sale price is $315,000.00 for property identification number 186-00-00-0024 (portion); the county is responsible for the survey plat, which comes back to council for approval by resolution.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Expenditure of hospitality tax funds for the purchase of seasonal decorations for downtown
Administrator Neighbours presented to council her ideas on making downtown brighter and more appealing by purchasing several new holiday/seasonal decorations. Ms. Neighbours requested $35,000.00 dollars from the hospitality fund to cover the cost. Council was informed that it had been confirmed by the city's outside auditor that this purchase could be funded by hospitality funds.
- What it is
- This measure sets aside hospitality tax funds to buy new holiday and seasonal decorations for downtown Loris.
- What it does
- Passed. The city draws $35,000.00 from hospitality tax funds for the decorations.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Review and consider proposals for downtown tree trimming
Administrator Neighbours briefed council on the facts that tree trimming and care of the trees in the downtown area has not been done properly in a number of years. Ms. Neighbours solicited bids/proposals regarding the tree trimming and recommended that council accept the bid received from Mr. D's Tree & Landscaping Service LLC in the amount of $13,500.00. The owner of Mr. D's Tree Service is a certified arborist and will trim and shape the trees to allow them to grow properly, will remove the old Christmas lights that are still hanging in some of the trees and clean up and haul all debris away from the city. A portion of the tree trimming expense may be an allowable hospitality fund expenditure; Administrator Neighbours stated that she would double-check with auditor on the funding sources; however, the City has sufficient funds available for this project if it is determined that hospitality funds cannot be used.
- What it is
- This measure accepts a bid to trim and shape the trees in downtown Loris and remove old Christmas lights and debris.
- What it does
- Passed. The city contracts with Mr. D's Tree & Landscaping Service LLC for $13,500.00.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Executive session — personnel matter and contractual matter
Mayor Suggs stated that a personnel matter and a contractual matter needed to be discussed in executive session. Council entered executive session at 6:22 pm and reconvened in open session at 6:54 pm. Mayor Suggs announced that in executive session Council got an update on a contractual matter and discussed a personnel matter, however no action or votes were taken in executive session.
Beyond the votes
Reports, announcements, and public comment from the same meeting, also drawn verbatim from the minutes.