November 3, 2025 — Regular Council Meeting
At its November 3, 2025 regular meeting, Loris City Council took first-reading approval of Ordinance 11-25 to annex 54.88 acres (Diamond Shores) into the city, and passed second reading of Ordinance 10-25 updating the Business License class schedule as required by state law. Council also approved a $10,000 holiday bonus for 33 full-time staff and a new copier/printer lease projected to save about $8,000 a year.
At a glance
- Approval of minutes — October 6, 2025 regular meeting
- Approval of minutes — October 21, 2025 special meeting
- McLeod Loris presentation — Ronald Fowler, Chairman of the Board of McLeod Health, and Scott Montgomery, CEO of McLeod Health Loris
- Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of McLeod Health Loris
- Amend the Business License Ordinance of the City of Loris to update the class schedule as required by Act 176 of 2020
- Receive Planning Commission report — Zoning recommendation for annexation petition A-202508-002 (54.88 acres, Diamond Shores, Agent)
- Annex 54.88 total acres into the corporate limits of the City of Loris (A-202508-002, Diamond Shores, Agent)
- Discuss and approve 15th Judicial Circuit Traffic Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement
- Discussion and approval of the annual holiday bonus for fulltime City of Loris staff
- Discuss copy machine and printer lease — Integrity Business Machines
- Executive session — personnel matter and legal/contractual matter
Read the full summary
The council passed several routine and substantive items unanimously (Mayor Suggs and all six members present voting favorably). On land use, it gave first-reading approval to Ordinance 11-25 annexing 54.88 acres (PIN 176-00-00-0026, TMS 048-00-01-036) along Cannon Road into the city — Parcel A (31.73 ac) zoned R-2 residential and Parcel B (23.15 ac) zoned industrial — after receiving the required Planning Commission zoning report (no vote needed on the report itself).
It also passed second reading of Ordinance 10-25, updating the Business License class schedule to comply with Act 176 of 2020, which must be enacted by year's end. Council adopted Resolution 05-25 commemorating the 75th anniversary of McLeod Health Loris, following a presentation by McLeod board chairman Ronald Fowler and Loris CEO Scott Montgomery.
On city operations, council authorized a $10,000 budgeted holiday bonus for the city's 33 full-time staff (prorated for partial-year employees), approved the biennial 15th Judicial Circuit Traffic Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement, and approved a contract with Conway-based Integrity Business Machines to replace the city's copiers and printers — a deal staff said saves roughly $8,000 per year. Council also held one executive session (7:02–7:47 PM) on a personnel matter and a legal/contractual matter, taking no action.
Residents raised flooding and drainage concerns at several locations during public comment, with the building inspector directed to follow up.
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 — October 6, 2025 regular meeting
Approval of minutes — October 21, 2025 special meeting
McLeod Loris presentation — Ronald Fowler, Chairman of the Board of McLeod Health, and Scott Montgomery, CEO of McLeod Health Loris
Mr. Fowler, Chairman of the Board of McLeod Health, thanked the mayor, council, and citizens for their support of the hospital system. He gave a brief presentation on how Loris Community Hospital was started in 1949, the merger with McLeod, and the hospital's growth. Mr. Montgomery went over some stats and new additions made to McLeod. A 75th Anniversary ceremony will be held at the hospital on November 11, 2025, at 11:00 am.
Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of McLeod Health Loris
Mayor Suggs read Resolution 05-25 in its entirety. The Resolution will be presented to McLeod Health Loris Hospital on November 11, 2025, at the anniversary ceremony.
Amend the Business License Ordinance of the City of Loris to update the class schedule as required by Act 176 of 2020
Mayor Suggs read Ordinance 10-25 by title only and reminded council that this ordinance is required by state law and must be enacted by the end of the year. Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes gave details of the process of updating the Business License.
- What it is
- This ordinance updates the city's Business License Ordinance to match a class schedule required by state law (Act 176 of 2020). This was the second reading; the ordinance had its first reading at an earlier meeting.
- What it does
- Passed on second reading, this updates the class schedule in the city's Business License Ordinance to comply with Act 176 of 2020 and takes effect.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Receive Planning Commission report — Zoning recommendation for annexation petition A-202508-002 (54.88 acres, Diamond Shores, Agent)
Mayor Suggs indicated no vote is required for this item. As mandated by the city zoning ordinance, the Planning Commission is required to submit a report to council regarding its recommended zoning of property being considered for annexation. The written report was provided in the council packet. Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes gave details on where the property is located and the plans for the property. Mayor Suggs moved on to Item G, the subject of the Planning Commission's report.
Annex 54.88 total acres into the corporate limits of the City of Loris (A-202508-002, Diamond Shores, Agent)
"Parcel A" (31.73 ac) consisting of R-2 (Residential, Medium Density), and "Parcel B" (23.15 ac) consisting of IND (Industrial), along the northwest and southeast sides of Cannon Road, south of Ralph Ellis Boulevard, and north of Cedar Street (S-26-337). City Clerk Melinda Price read Ordinance 11-25 by title only.
- What it is
- This is the first-reading vote on an ordinance to annex land along Cannon Road into the City of Loris. The land would be split into two parcels with different zoning: one residential, one industrial. An ordinance needs two readings before it takes effect.
- What it does
- Passed on first reading, this advances toward a second reading an ordinance annexing 54.88 acres along Cannon Road into the City of Loris, with 31.73 acres zoned R-2, Residential Medium Density, and 23.15 acres zoned IND, Industrial. It takes effect after a second reading.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Discuss and approve 15th Judicial Circuit Traffic Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement
Police Chief Gary Bulley explained that this is required every two years and discussed what the 15th Judicial Circuit Traffic Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement is about and how mutual aid works. Mayor Suggs stated that this has been done for several years.
- What it is
- A mutual aid agreement lets law enforcement agencies in the 15th Judicial Circuit assist each other with traffic enforcement across jurisdiction lines. The agreement is renewed every two years.
- What it does
- Approved, this authorizes Police Chief Gary Bulley to sign the 15th Judicial Circuit Traffic Enforcement Mutual Aid Agreement on behalf of the city.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Discussion and approval of the annual holiday bonus for fulltime City of Loris staff
Administrator Neighbours stated that $10,000.00 had been budgeted for Christmas bonuses for thirty-three staff members. Bonuses for staff members that have been employed for only a portion of calendar year 2025 will be prorated based on months of service. Councilman Padgett suggested holding a Christmas dinner for council and staff.
- What it is
- This is a vote on the city's annual holiday bonus for its full-time staff. Staff members employed for part of 2025 have their bonus prorated based on months of service.
- What it does
- Approved, this authorizes Administrator Neighbours to distribute $10,000.00 in holiday bonuses, budgeted for 33 full-time City of Loris staff members, at the appropriate time.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Discuss copy machine and printer lease — Integrity Business Machines
The present lease agreement on the city's copy machines and printers had expired; the city is in a month-to-month extension. Administrator Neighbours sought proposals from companies. Integrity Business Machines, based in Conway, proposed replacing all the city's copiers and printers with new machines plus some additional equipment, including a large plotter printer. The proposal also saves the city approximately $8,000.00 per year, and the company has a service technician residing in the Loris area.
- What it is
- The city's existing lease on its copy machines and printers had expired, and the city was on a month-to-month extension. This is a vote on a new contract with Integrity Business Machines, based in Conway, to replace all of the city's copiers and printers with new equipment, including a plotter printer.
- What it does
- Approved, this authorizes Administrator Neighbours to sign a contract with Integrity Business Machines to replace the city's copiers and printers. The proposal from Integrity Business Machines carried a projected savings to the city of approximately $8,000.00 per year.
AI-written from the sourced items above, a convenience, not the official record.
Executive session — personnel matter and legal/contractual matter
Council entered executive session at 7:02 PM to discuss one personnel matter and one legal and contractual matter. Motion by Gause, seconded by Sykes. Council reconvened in open session at 7:47 PM; motion by Gause, seconded by Hardee. Mayor Suggs announced that council received an update on a legal and contractual matter and was briefed on a personnel matter; 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.
Reports & announcements
- Conway leaf/limb assistance. Mayor Suggs thanked the city of Conway for assisting us with leaf and limb pickup over the past couple of weeks. Our truck that was involved in an accident has now been repaired. We should now be able to get back on a regular schedule.
- Loris Lions football. Loris Lions finished the regular season undefeated. Congratulations on a perfect record 10-0. They will play Battery Creek this Friday November 7th, 2025, at home to begin play off action. Congratulations to B team for winning the Horry County Championship. All our Loris football teams, from recreation leagues to varsity, have had an outstanding year.
- Loris Women's Coalition veterans day program. Saturday November 8th, 2025, at 10:00 am, the Loris Women's Coalition will hold its annual veteran's day program. The event will take place at Loris High School, and everyone is invited to attend.
- McLeod Health 75th Anniversary celebration. McLeod Health Loris will hold a celebration to commemorate their diamond anniversary. The event will be held November 11th, 2025, at 11:00 am. This year is the 75th anniversary of the founding of our local hospital and Mr. Ronald Fowler and Mr. Scott Montgomery are here to tell us a little more about it later in the meeting.
- HGTC Community Forum. Horry-Georgetown Technical College will have a community forum at the State Theater Building. The event will be held November 20th, 2025 beginning at 5:00 pm. The purpose of the event is to seek input from the community regarding a local campus or learning center in the Loris area. A local HGTC would be a major asset to Loris and Northern Horry County.
- Thanksgiving closing. We all have so much to be thankful for and we hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving coming up. In observance of Thanksgiving, City Hall will be closed Thursday November 27th, 2025, and Friday November 28th, 2025.
- Election Day. Election Day is November 4th, 2025. Please remember to vote.
- Bog-Off thanks. I would like to thank the city of Loris employees for helping make the Bog-Off a success. We appreciate each member from each department that were willing to work overtime to help. We would like to thank the Chamber of Commerce for putting the event together. The lighted animated marquee was a nice addition to the Bog-Off and received many comments.
- Chamber of Commerce report — Samantha Norris. Loris Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Samantha Norris was present and stated that she appreciated all the help with the Bog-off. Samantha announced that there would not be a downtown Tuesday because of it being Election Day. Downtown Tuesday will be held November 11th as scheduled Veteran's Day — A NIGHT FOR HEROS from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
- Administrator's report. Interim Administrator Neighbours reported that she didn't have anything to report, however she did have a personnel matter to discuss in executive session.
- Committee reports. There were no committee meetings during the month of September.
- Code Enforcement & Planning. Planning and Zoning Director Meredith Holmes stated that she did not have her statistical reports to present; however she would present them at next council meeting. She reported a complaint about political signs, as well as other signs, being improperly placed around town. The signs have been collected. Councilman Padgett asked if the election signs could be returned to the candidates. Mayor Suggs stated that he would like arrangements to be made for pick up as soon as possible.
- Fire Department. City Fire Marshall Robert Rudelitch reported a total of 126 calls for the month. They have had 13 calls for November so far and they are starting off busy. A Fall Fire Safety Event and a project with Mcleod Health are in process they are excited about. Mayor Suggs confirmed that the grant was still in process for Slip-On Skid Unit for the brush truck. Equipment has been ordered, and funds have been received. The Fire Department is working towards its 2nd award for Fire Safe Community Designation which will be announced in the spring.
- Police Department. Police Chief Gary Bulley reported that Bog-Off weekend was overall a successful weekend with only one incident with some kids. Councilman Padgett inquired about the twenty-four alarms listed on the written report. Police Chief Gary Bulley confirmed that it was correct and most of them were false alarms, responding to each as a precaution.
- Public Works. No written reports presented.
- Recreation. Recreation Director Woody Hinson presented to council a bracket for the Youth Football State Tournament and went over the schedule and location of the games. Basketball Sign up is in progress with schedules in process. Travel Ball tournament schedule will be submitted in December. Drain tile needs to be installed on field number one, and plans are to do that in January.