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), which now takes effect, and first reading to the Bayboro Street rezoning (Ordinance 06-26). It approved contracts with its financial auditor and the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments, deferred a drainage-engineering contract to August, recognized a retiring 27-year city employee, and, after an executive session, voted to have the interim administrator and treasurer continue in both roles. Outcomes here are from the city's meeting video, pending the 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 earlier June sessions and recognized Von Williams on his retirement from the city after 27 years of service. On first reading, the council took up Ordinance 06-26, which would amend the Official Zoning Map to 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); it is recorded as adopted on first reading, on a divided vote whose tally will be confirmed against the minutes, and it would take effect after a second reading.
On second and final reading, the council adopted Ordinance 07-26, so the amended sanitation and disposal fee schedule listed as effective July 1, 2026 takes effect. The council approved continuing its contract with Sheheen, Hancock & Godwin, LLP for annual financial auditing, and approved the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments planning technical assistance contract for fiscal year 2026-2027 at $30,000.00.
It deferred a proposed engineering contract with Diamond Shores, LLC, tied to a Community Development Block Grant for the Upper Pleasant Meadow drainage project, to the first meeting in August after a councilmember asked for a request for proposals and attorney review. The discussion of the City Administrator position was deferred into an executive session; after returning to open session, the council voted to have the interim administrator and treasurer continue in both roles and set her salary for the coming budget year, with one member opposed (the figure is left to be recorded from the approved minutes).
During public comment, residents raised a church outreach event, Horry County's draft industrial-corridor plan and survey, and a property-damage concern from a city sewer project. Outcomes and video timestamps here are from the city's unofficial meeting video, pending the 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.
On the agenda
From the posted agenda packet. Votes and video timestamps will appear here after the meeting.
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 meeting video (pending minutes): the mayor and council recognized Von Williams, a crew leader in the city's street department, on his retirement after 27 years of service, and presented him a plaque. 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. The first-reading vote was divided; the tally will be confirmed against the approved minutes.
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 meeting video (pending minutes): council voted to continue with Sheheen, Hancock & Godwin as the city's auditor; staff noted an engagement letter would be signed on the city's behalf.
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 meeting video (pending minutes): staff described the engineering contract as the city's match on a Community Development Block Grant application for the Upper Pleasant Meadow drainage project. A councilmember asked whether a request for proposals was required and asked the city attorney to review it; council voted to defer the item and bring it back at the first meeting in August.
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). No supporting document is included in the posted agenda packet. From the meeting video (pending minutes): the discussion was deferred into executive session and resolved by a vote in open session afterward (see the outcome note).
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 meeting video (pending minutes): council moved into executive session at roughly 6:47 PM and reconvened in open session at roughly 7:47 PM. No votes were taken in executive session.
Beyond the votes
Reports, announcements, and public comment from the same meeting, drawn from the city's unofficial meeting video, pending the approved minutes.
Reports & announcements
- Independence Day and the 250th anniversary. The mayor noted the July 4th weekend and the 250th anniversary of American independence.
- New businesses. Two new businesses held ribbon cuttings in June: Southern Charm at 4262 Main Street on June 11, and the District 10 coffee shop on June 24.
- West Main Street repaving. SCDOT is scheduled to repave West Main Street, working mainly in the evenings; the start was delayed by rain.
- Severe drought proclamation. After the S.C. Drought Response Committee declared a severe drought for the Pee Dee River Basin, the city issued a proclamation on July 1 declaring a severe drought condition in its water service area and asking residents to voluntarily reduce water use. It remains in effect until the state gives notice the drought has ended.
- Morning with the Mayor and Administrator. A 'Morning with the Mayor and Administrator' is set for Thursday, July 16, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
- Sewer line project. The interim administrator reported a grant-funded sewer line project is wrapping up, with a remaining stage to repair property affected during the work, using retained funds and overseen by an engineer, a contractor, and city officials.
- Planning and zoning. Staff reported 61 inspections for the month, continuing issues with off-premise and right-of-way signs addressed by the zoning ordinance, and a draft text amendment on downtown (C-1) parking still in the discussion phase at the Planning Commission.
- Fire department. The fire department reported submitting four federal grant applications in June and receiving a South Carolina Fire Safe Community designation at the state firefighters' conference; a portable radio project is in its final stages.
- Police department. The police chief reported renewing the school resource officer grant for another year and, from a months-long investigation, a June 23 search warrant that led to two arrests on drug and firearm charges, one of them a fugitive from Florida.
- Recreation. Football cheerleading and fall softball registration is open through August 1; the city's youth baseball team was playing in the state tournament.
Public & press comment
‹ Newer meeting · Older meeting › · All meetings