North Myrtle Beach leaders on Monday, June 23, gave final approval to the city's $211.9 million聽budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The budget does not include a property tax increase this year, though City Manager Ryan Fabbri said during the city鈥檚 annual budget retreat meeting that a property tax increase may be needed in the next fiscal year.
In fiscal year 2026, property tax millage will remain at 45 mills on each $1,000 of assessed property value. Property taxes are the largest revenue source for the city, expected to be $27.2 million, a drop from 2025鈥檚 estimated $28.3 million.
The city is spending big on water and sewer infrastructure with many major projects. In the 2026 fiscal year, $35.7 million in capital improvements are funded, including $20 million in water transmission improvements and $10 million for a transmission line from Myrtle Beach. Water and sewer fees charged by the city will increase by seven and eight cents per 1,000 gallons, respectively. Budget documents say that Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority, where the city gets its water, has raised their rates.
Pay raises for employees are budgeted in the 2026 fiscal year 鈥渂ased on the pay increases of surrounding governmental jurisdictions,鈥 according to the 鈥渂udget policies鈥 in the 2026 fiscal year budget document.
The number of full-time positions staff positions is increasing from 505 to 554, which includes 14 new employees in the fire department. Personnel and training costs are increasing from $41.2 million to $48.9 million due to the pay raises and increased staff positions.
The city is making investments in equipment for the police and fire departments, including the purchase of 10 new North Myrtle Beach Police Department patrol vehicles for $720,000, and an SUV and a transit van for the North Myrtle Beach Fire Department for $165,000, a $350,000 pre-emption system to change traffic lights during emergency response and $765,000 for NMBPD computers and radios.
Another $12 million is also budgeted for the construction of Fire Station No. 7.
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