[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6544958,"mediaKeyId","3384966-1ec468c8659ef251756e45f40ba690eb","parentId",3384966,"title","Conway council gives first reading to proposed $109 million FY2025–26 budget after public hearing","audioSeconds",944,"startMs",1810000,"endMs",2754000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3384966-1ec468c8659ef251756e45f40ba690eb&start=1810&end=2754","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3384966-1ec468c8659ef251756e45f40ba690eb/thumbnail_1810000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6544958/Conway/Horry-County/South-Carolina/Conway-council-gives-first-reading-to-proposed-109-million-FY202526-budget-after-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544958-6e1305e9d1d882a5038d9f9f00b428b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152070&Signature=gm4OaszqCaWDXBSy0a4o~jQ2g4GeLhRIbL7su0FsxZGDfEwaKjCTRusUWhK-0WfxcrcTTqgxl0c4j2wR7RcShLccqu4FbpvAi3e3HYJPwHvh~GDC3dxZKl3j4Rv7UJU76iIntppn46zClOH5e-qvGUKdLc2~4YM6wJOFBkt9NceHkMdWWjhTHTVFxa0wOhSvI8sk1ynIC8uSE3o0W4C00PqNG69Lw8HWzr6Lki2krSPcWKd1xZQ6focKKoQJ9Ni0CUTiVnGWofGxICsfIzcbVt9QuJmPHnU6O7tc3b3eSSXYgBqLeM85mhurFACm0o6ERh~obeQbDZ99GWlVo4qJAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Conway, SC","date","2025-05-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Conway City Council on May 19 held a public hearing and gave first reading to the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 municipal budget, which city staff said totals about $109,000,000 and represents a roughly 27% increase from the current year.

City staff member Miss Williams presented the budget as the council opened the hearing. Miss Williams said the increase reflected roughly $9,000,000 of rebudgeted projects not yet complete and about $7,500,000 of the city’s share of the SCDOT 701 Wyoming project. The presentation included proposed employee compensation changes — a 3% cost-of-living increase for qualifying employees and selected $5,000 salary boosts for qualifying employees — an increase in Christmas bonuses to $1,000 for full-time staff, 23 proposed new full‑time positions, and a proposal to raise some fees (solid waste 5% and stormwater 9%). The administration also proposed a paperless utility billing option by January 2026 with a $2 paper-bill fee for customers who request printed bills.

The budget drew public comment. Resident David Conti told council he had written previously and remained concerned about the size of the budget and recent revenue changes; he said he opposed what he characterized as repeated increases in the city’s budget and staffing levels. “You’re going from $83,000,000 to over a hundred million dollars,” Conti said. “When do we slow down?”

Mayor (name not specified), responding during council discussion, and several council members framed the proposal as largely revenue‑neutral with increases tied to rebudgeting and the cost of living rather than a broad tax-rate spike. Council members asked staff for additional detail, and the mayor asked that the council receive more information about a separate request from the police chief on staffing before a final vote.

After discussion the council voted to approve first reading of the budget ordinance. The vote carried unanimously.

Why it matters: the first reading advances the budget process but is not the final approval. The numbers shown in the staff presentation will be the subject of follow‑up briefings, including a requested presentation on police staffing, and at least one more public hearing and second‑reading vote will be required before the budget becomes final.

Votes at a glance

- First reading of FY2025–26 budget ordinance — outcome: approved (first reading; unanimous vote). Ordinance number: not specified in discussion. Staff estimated the proposed comprehensive budget at approximately $109,000,000, driven in part by rebudgeted projects and a $7,500,000 city share of SCDOT 701 work.

- Rezoning request ZA2025-562b (Davidson Road & Highway 501) — outcome: denied (see separate agenda item). Vote: unanimous.

- Lease of city-owned floodplain lot at 214 (Brahe/McGraw Avenue) to adjacent homeowner (private lease) — outcome: approved (unanimous).

- Acceptance of low bid for Kingston Lake stormwater outflow upgrades (Pine Street) and authorization to negotiate with GeoWorks LLC, pending Rural Infrastructure Authority approval — outcome: approved (unanimous).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Conway Council Meeting | May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Conway City Council on May 19 held a public hearing and gave first reading to the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 municipal budget, which city staff said totals about $109,000,000 and represents a roughly 27% increase from the current year.","taxTitle","Conway, Horry County, South Carolina","taxId",53933,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6544948,"Council workshop examines future land‑use map for Jacor/Chacora area; members discuss protecting neighborhoods while accommodating commercial development",1715,4424000,6139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3384966-1ec468c8659ef251756e45f40ba690eb&start=4424&end=6139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3384966-1ec468c8659ef251756e45f40ba690eb/thumbnail_4424000.jpg","/articles/6544948/Conway/Horry-County/South-Carolina/Council-workshop-examines-future-landuse-map-for-JacorChacora-area-members-discuss-protecting-neighborhoods-while-accommodating-commercial-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544948-f1826611afba3e0273e01550a35a61c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152070&Signature=Ek0ANJRhCR68HLvSUxEzS2CsdV1NnfCjVCU2e4vBlxCXDJFR~5hcFeSNf1Ze8TbAg7pJsB2rPT0rOrDGiYcoieU-E0IfI3BUz6-w-lwL4wdqGLSWTFJKPnwtDtu8xo5cOlbVpKNAGE68m3L2vZhvvlKT~qNA5RsIi~1DQVLsXKJpLRE--DOFD2-cPlCjc6yggJDqqEhlGOAx64YSGUT6lgiku5nseQRnN-iTs2dueklSI73eXo7hUpL8JVJ6GXILF~KWm5QEjfdyZ058qWKQuaj7cJxBMqzn36HPNPrSWZtjokOKe9nsp~FDtRO4Y8ccKVRXBEVdnI92UprdUVQzYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conway City Council held a workshop discussion on May 19 about the city’s future land‑use map around the Jacor/Chacora corridor, focusing on where highway‑oriented commercial zoning meets longstanding residential neighborhoods.

Jessica (city planning staff) led the briefing, showing the future land‑use colors on the map and explaining that some parcels fronting Main and other corridors are designated highway commercial in the future‑use map while parcels immediately behind those corridors are low‑density residential. She told council the staff review looks at consistency with the comprehensive plan, existing infrastructure, environmental constraints, and the recommendations of the Planning Commission.

Council members raised concerns that the highway commercial designation can allow intense uses (for example, late‑hour entertainment, title‑loan businesses or other uses some residents find objectionable) that are intrusive in close proximity to single‑family homes. Members noted that some corridors in the city already have buffers and landscaping that reduce impacts and that the city has existing buffers that increase when commercial abuts residential. Several council members argued the city should not force higher‑intensity uses directly against historic residential areas and asked staff to pursue options to reduce the likelihood of undesirable uses along those transition areas.

Staff and council discussed specific policy tools: narrower use lists for highway commercial in sensitive locations, conditional‑use processes or special exceptions for higher‑impact uses, interim standards to limit certain uses while longer area plans or design guidelines are developed, and commercial design standards to raise the quality of new construction. Council members suggested an area plan for North Main and Red Hill corridors, and staff said those area plans and a consultant‑produced strategic plan could supply recommended design standards. Staff estimated that interim zoning or conditional‑use changes could be drafted and taken through the Planning Commission process in roughly three to six months, while a full area plan or design‑standard program would take longer and might be phased over the next year.

Several council members supported using design standards to make corridor buildings feel more like downtown — for example, materials, landscaping and building orientation — and said that would both raise quality and reduce the likelihood of low‑quality, low‑cost commercial strips. Staff noted the consultant team producing the city strategic plan will present in mid‑June and that the Parks Master Plan and strategic plan contain overlapping recommendations that could be incorporated into corridor design work.

Why it matters: land‑use decisions determine where commercial activity and neighborhood housing coexist; the council workshop sought to balance the need for commercial access and services with protections for established residential areas. Council directed staff to draft options (interim standards, conditional uses and possible design guidelines) for future consideration and public hearings.","City planning staff and councilors reviewed the future land‑use map for the Jacor/Chacora area and discussed policy tools to protect neighborhoods while allowing appropriate commercial development along corridors.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6544953,"Council reviews proposed UDO amendments on penalties and single‑family 'in common' standards; planning commission to hold hearings",332,1287000,1619000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3384966-1ec468c8659ef251756e45f40ba690eb&start=1287&end=1619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3384966-1ec468c8659ef251756e45f40ba690eb/thumbnail_1287000.jpg","/articles/6544953/Conway/Horry-County/South-Carolina/Council-reviews-proposed-UDO-amendments-on-penalties-and-singlefamily-in-common-standards-planning-commission-to-hold-hearings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544953-8e03f73fdf004288cdd27c504699859b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152070&Signature=KoIrDRM4IG~IIv1cqOXpc7wT8QhLoB2A7ZQDttlUNTohOTOeovcICK6ZlVkTMfsdUX0tOxbb0k4iO7f8p38Bsf1kY23D0XC1c~VqbcyhawWzAHGIE-J9R1oxh7gXS2JfY9cm0b9EBrYHkx7IxWH5MbsZ1wWVgxkF3vFs~oEdfjksxbrggvW6MrKBwLE~HrexQ8TgPy1IBRcDlRoJiHr46jkVDI0kpPJ60AYqH1s0KyEbPfqAyZTINntnEKMSHBYPSmKCYNazWqILMgCHggfyeowLaRi-Em8JJDErdDXRwi7zuc6jFuu198RXikUPkIgT42RDHZaxZcLhzh~tZ9r8FQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented two proposed amendments to the City of Conway Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) during the council meeting on May 19.

Miss Hooks outlined a proposed change to Article 15 that would align the UDO’s penalty language with the city’s Code of Ordinances by specifying that violations of the UDO are misdemeanor offenses subject to the penalties in the city code. Staff told council that last year’s Article 15 amendments had treated certain sign violations as civil infractions and that legal guidance from the Municipal Association advised clarifying the penalty language so it is consistent with the general code. Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the amendment on June 5.

Later in the agenda, staff presented a proposed amendment to Articles 4 (use tables) and 6 (design standards) to establish standards for single‑family dwellings built “in common” (single-family homes on a single parcel rather than separate fee-simple lots). The presenter, identified in the record as Miss Hux, said the change responds to developer interest in that product type and would add standards for minimum separation, ingress/egress for fire code compliance, permitted zoning districts, internal offsets, and buffer and landscape requirements. Planning Commission will also hold a public hearing on that amendment on June 5, and its recommendation will accompany the ordinance when it returns for first reading.

Council members asked how state law limits local penalties (including a statutory $500 fine limit discussed during the meeting) and whether enhanced penalties or jail provisions would be an effective deterrent. Staff noted that the city’s ordinances currently include the $500 fine by statute but that court costs and additional penalties can increase the effective amount charged if a defendant is convicted.

Why it matters: the UDO governs land use and development standards. The penalty clarifying amendment would make enforcement language consistent across the city code; the single‑family in‑common amendment would create new dimensional and safety standards for a housing product the city currently lacks explicit rules for. Both items proceed to Planning Commission hearings before returning to council for action.","Council discussed two proposed amendments to the City of Conway Unified Development Ordinance: one to clarify penalties (Article 15) and one to add standards for single‑family developments held in common (Articles 4 and 6). Staff said both items will go to the Planning Commission for public hearings on June 5.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conway council gives first reading to proposed $109 million FY2025–26 budget after public hearing

Council workshop examines future land‑use map for Jacor/Chacora area; members discuss protecting neighborhoods while accommodating commercial development

Council reviews proposed UDO amendments on penalties and single‑family 'in common' standards; planning commission to hold hearings