July 6, 2026 — Regular Meeting
At its July 6, 2026 regular meeting, the council gave final reading to the amended waste-disposal fee schedule (Ordinance 07-26), 6-1, and first reading to the Bayboro Street rezoning (Ordinance 06-26), 5-2. It approved contracts with its financial auditor and the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments, deferred a drainage-engineering contract to August, recognized a retiring city employee, and, after an executive session, voted 5-2 for the interim administrator to continue as treasurer and interim administrator at a salary of $122,000.00. Outcomes and votes here are confirmed against the City's approved minutes.
At a glance
- Approval of minutes — June 1, 2026 (Regular City Council Meeting), June 11, 2026 (Public Hearing on Re-zoning Request), June 29, 2026 (Public Hearing on Budget for 2026-2027), and June 29, 2026 (Special City Council Meeting)
- Recognition of Von Williams on his retirement from the City after 27 years of service
- First reading of Ordinance 06-26: amend the Official Zoning Map and rezone property owned by Harriett D Hardee identified as Parcel No. 186-00-00-0001
- Second reading of Ordinance 07-26: amend the sanitation/disposal fee structure
- Discussion and consideration of authorization to enter into a contract with Sheheen, Hancock & Godwin, LLP, Certified Public Accountants, to provide annual financial auditing services
- Discussion and consideration of authorization to enter into contract with Diamond Shores, LLC, for engineering services regarding the Community Development Block Grant for the Upper Pleaseant Meadow Drainage Improvement Project
- Discussion and consideration of approval of the Wacammaw Regional Council of Governments annual contract for planning technical assistance for fiscal year 2026-2027
- Discussion of the City Administrator position
- Executive session — personnel matters, contractual matters, and legal matters
Read the full summary
At its July 6, 2026 regular meeting, the City Council approved the minutes of four June sessions and recognized Von J. Williams on his retirement after 27 and a half years of service.
On first reading, the council approved Ordinance 06-26, which would rezone about 23.2 acres on the south side of Bayboro Street, also known as Highway 45, from FA (Forest-Agriculture) to R-1.5 (Residential, Low Density); Councilwomen Coleman and Gerald opposed. On second and final reading, the council adopted Ordinance 07-26, the amended sanitation and disposal fee schedule; Councilwoman Sykes opposed.
The council unanimously approved continuing Sheheen, Hancock & Godwin, LLP as the city's auditor and the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments planning technical assistance contract for fiscal year 2026-2027 at $30,000.00, and unanimously deferred a proposed engineering contract with Diamond Shores, LLC to the August meeting because the final contract was not available. After an executive session on a personnel matter, where no action was taken, the council voted for Angel Neighbours to continue in her dual roles as treasurer and interim administrator at a salary of $122,000.00; the minutes record the salary had been $90,000.00.
Councilman Padgett and Councilwoman Sykes opposed. Three people spoke during public comment.
Outcomes and votes here are confirmed against the City's approved minutes.
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
Click “Jump to …” on any item to play the video at the moment it was taken up.
Approval of minutes — June 1, 2026 (Regular City Council Meeting), June 11, 2026 (Public Hearing on Re-zoning Request), June 29, 2026 (Public Hearing on Budget for 2026-2027), and June 29, 2026 (Special City Council Meeting)
Recognition of Von Williams on his retirement from the City after 27 years of service
From the approved minutes: "Mayor Suggs presented Mr. Von J. Williams with a plaque recognizing him for 27 and a half years of service with the City of Loris. Mr. Williams began working with the city on January 28, 1999, and retired on June 30, 2026." No vote was taken.
First reading of Ordinance 06-26: amend the Official Zoning Map and rezone property owned by Harriett D Hardee identified as Parcel No. 186-00-00-0001
An ordinance to amend the Official Zoning Map and rezone property owned by Harriett D Hardee identified as Parcel No. 186-00-00-0001. Section 1 states the property, on the Horry County Tax Assessor's Records and GIS Mapping, is "located on the southern side of Bayboro Street, also known as Highway 45, (S-26-45), presently zoned as FA (Forest-Agriculture) on the Official Zoning Map be changed to R-1.5 (Residential, Low Density) on the Official Zoning Map." The rezoning application (File No. PC-202604-001) describes the request as "approximately 23.2 acres." Section 2 provides the ordinance becomes effective on approval of the Loris City Council as second reading. Public hearing June 11, 2026; first reading July 6, 2026.
- What it is
- This is a first-reading vote on an ordinance to change a parcel's zoning on the Official Zoning Map from FA (Forest-Agriculture) to R-1.5 (Residential, Low Density), on the south side of Bayboro Street (Highway 45). A public hearing on the request was held June 11, 2026. An ordinance requires two readings before it takes effect.
- What it does
- Adopted on first reading, the rezoning advances toward a second reading and would take effect after that second reading. It would change the designation of approximately 23.2 acres from FA (Forest-Agriculture) to R-1.5 (Residential, Low Density) on the Official Zoning Map.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Second reading of Ordinance 07-26: amend the sanitation/disposal fee structure
An ordinance to amend the sanitation/disposal fee structure. "WHEREAS, in order to keep pace with the rising costs of the collection and disposal of solid waste it has been determined by the city council that a small increase in disposal charges has become necessary." Section 1 amends the sanitation/disposal fee structure to read per Attachment Schedule A ("CITY OF LORIS WASTE DISPOSAL FEES FY 2026-2027"), which lists rates "Effective July 1, 2026." Section 2 provides the ordinance becomes effective upon the approval of council after second reading. The attachment notes "Waste Disposal Services are provided by Jordan Waste." First reading June 29, 2026; second reading July 6, 2026.
- What it is
- This was the second (final) reading of an ordinance to amend the sanitation/disposal fee schedule to the rates listed as effective July 1, 2026. The ordinance text states it becomes effective upon the approval of council after second reading.
- What it does
- Adopted on second reading, the amended waste-disposal fee schedule takes effect. For once-per-week residential cart service, the rate goes from $28.00 under the schedule effective July 1, 2023 (the most recent one the city has posted) to $30.00. The new schedule also lists a $22.50 rate for residents 65 and older, a tier the 2023 schedule did not include, and it raises the commercial rates.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Discussion and consideration of authorization to enter into a contract with Sheheen, Hancock & Godwin, LLP, Certified Public Accountants, to provide annual financial auditing services
Listed on the agenda as a discussion and consideration item. The posted agenda packet does not include the contract or a dollar figure for these services. From the approved minutes: "July starts a new fiscal year, and council is required by state statute 5-7-240 to designate its auditing firm within thirty days of the beginning of the fiscal year."
Discussion and consideration of authorization to enter into contract with Diamond Shores, LLC, for engineering services regarding the Community Development Block Grant for the Upper Pleaseant Meadow Drainage Improvement Project
Listed on the agenda as a discussion and consideration item. The item title is transcribed verbatim from the agenda, which prints "Upper Pleaseant Meadow." The posted agenda packet does not include the contract or a dollar figure for these services. From the approved minutes: "A contract with Diamond Shores LLC has been drafted. However, a final copy of the contract was not available during the meeting. Mayor Suggs, and Attorney Zilinsky recommended that Council defer action on the item until the August meeting to review the final contract."
Discussion and consideration of approval of the Wacammaw Regional Council of Governments annual contract for planning technical assistance for fiscal year 2026-2027
The agenda item title is transcribed verbatim from the agenda, which prints "Wacammaw"; the contract in the packet is titled "The Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments Planning Technical Assistance Contract with the City of Loris, SC." Under the contract the Contractor provides planning and technical assistance to City staff, the Planning Commission (PC), Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), and City Council. Section V (Term of Performance) covers the 2027 fiscal year, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Section VI (Compensation): "the City shall pay the Contractor $30,000.00 for Contractor staff time and expenses," with preauthorized work beyond the base contract billed at $135 per hour. Section VII (Method of Payment): quarterly invoices in the amount of $7,500 each.
- What it is
- This is a vote on the annual planning technical assistance contract between the City and the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments for fiscal year 2026-2027. Under the contract, the Council of Governments provides planning and zoning technical assistance to City staff, the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and City Council.
- What it does
- Approved, the City will pay $30,000.00 for the Contractor's staff time and expenses over the term July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, billed as quarterly invoices of $7,500 each.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Discussion of the City Administrator position
Listed on the agenda as item 4.H (the agenda skips item 4.G; the approved minutes letter it G). No supporting document is included in the posted agenda packet. From the approved minutes: "Item G was deferred until after executive session to get advice from Attorney Zilinsky regarding personnel and contractual matters that will relate to the discussion of that item." After executive session, the minutes record: "The salary has been $90,000.00 up until now."
Executive session — personnel matters, contractual matters, and legal matters
The agenda lists an executive session with three listed topics: personnel matters, contractual matters, and legal matters. From the approved minutes: "Mayor Suggs stated that a personnel matter needed to be discussed in executive session."
Beyond the votes
Reports, announcements, and public comment from the same meeting, also drawn verbatim from the minutes.
Reports & announcements
- Mayor's report. Mayor Suggs hoped everyone had a happy and safe July 4th weekend as we celebrated the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.
- Mayor's report — new businesses. Congratulations to Karen Suggs and her daughter at Southern Charm and Dwayne and Rhonda Alford at District 10 Coffee Shop. Both businesses celebrated grand openings in June. Southern Charm held a ribbon cutting on Thursday, June 11th and District 10 Coffee held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, June 24th.
- Mayor's report — West Main Street repaving. SCDOT is scheduled to repave West Main Street. Crews will begin working this afternoon near Loris Cold Storage and will move east to Broad Street. The project should be completed within a week.
- Mayor's report — Morning with the Mayor. Morning with the Mayor and City Administrator will be held July 16th from 9:00 to 11:00 here at City Hall.
- Mayor's report — severe drought proclamation. The proclamation was issued by Mayor Suggs on behalf of the City on July 1st. The proclamation asks citizens to voluntarily reduce the use of water and will remain in effect until the Department of Natural Resource Committee informs us that the drought conditions have ended.
- Administrator's report — sewer project. Ms. Neighbours stated that the project was coming to an end and that the company is working to place all property back to its original state before the project began. This work will be overseen by the engineer, contractor and city officials with a walk through to make sure all property has been restored back to the original or better condition before final funds are distributed to the contractor.
- Code enforcement & planning. The Planning Commission is discussing some possible text amendments to the zoning ordinance. One amendment discussed at the last meeting regards parking requirements in the C-1 district. It is still in the discussion phase so it will be forthcoming within the next couple of meetings.
- Fire. Fire Marshall Robert Rudelitch was not present at the meeting, however, he did have a written report included in the agenda packet for council.
- Police. Chief Buley was present and informed council that the department had received approval for the renewal of the grant which reimburses the city a portion of the costs to provide School Resource Officers.
- Public works. Administrator Neighbours reported that a couple of new employees have been hired for the public works department. Inspections are still ongoing as well as hydrant flushes.
- Recreation. Recreation Director Woody Hinson was not present due to attending the 10U boy's baseball state championship tournament game. A written report was provided in the agenda packet for council.