Sheila Hamilton and Police Chief Kyle Lamparter for
their extra work and efforts to get the space up and
running. Also, thanks to John Iles, general contractor
who did a great job making the required changes.
August 2014
Message from Mayor Gary Pell Regarding Town
Operations at 121 North Gate Road:
We are extremely pleased to announce that the purchase
of 121 North Gate has been finalized. All zoning
changes have been approved and our final certificate of
occupancy has been received. We are excited about our
new Town Offices and what they represent for the future
of our Town. And we invite you to drop by and see our
new space anytime - hours of operation remain
unchanged. We plan to hold an open house for residents
once we are completely unpacked and the artwork has
been hung. Judy Ellis has volunteered to help us obtain
and display artwork by several of the Town's artists.
Some pieces will be permanent and some will rotate on
a temporary basis.
Sheila Hamilton, Town Clerk, at Town Office
located at 121 North Gate Rd.
Financial details of the transaction and change in
occupancy will be discussed at the August Town
meeting. But you should know that the overall
transaction was generally consistent with what was
presented to you in several public hearings and meetings
that took place as we considered making the purchase.
Special thanks to Mayor Pro-Tem Abby Stewart for
spearheading the financial arrangements and the change
in occupancy process while Mayor Pell was away the
past two months. Also special thanks to our Town Clerk
Other Ongoing Town Issues :
Several residents have inquired about the status of Lot
65 and the Flood Plain Sewer System. We will
communicate more on these two matters as details
unfold later this year. However, you should know that
we continue to anticipate full recovery of our costs
incurred to demolish the former structure on Lot 65,
including costs incurred during the lengthy legal process
which continues. Total recovery is expected to exceed
$40,000 which, if recovered, will be placed back in the
Town's General Reserves.
We continue to work toward an agreement with the City
of Myrtle Beach to complete the final stages of
construction on the Flood Plain Sewer System. The City
of Myrtle Beach which owns and operates the existing
system has agreed in principle to fund any shortfalls in
private funding by flood plain residents and continue to
own and operate the completed system. We expect that
flood plain residents who haven't paid their full share of
the system by the time of completion will be charged a
market rate of interest by Myrtle Beach Water & Sewer
and allowed to pay over time. Details will be
communicated as they unfold and any residents with
questions should feel free to contact Mayor Pell.
Town Budget-No Increase in Millage:
The town budget for
fiscal year 2014-2015
was approved at the
June Town meeting.
There is no increase in
the millage rate from
last year’s budget of
50.8 mills. In fact, this
will be the fifth year in
a row that Council has
not increased the millage rate. The millage rate for the
Town of Briarcliffe Acres is low in comparison to other
cities and towns in Horry County. There are only two
other municipalities which have lower millage rates and
both of them require residents to pay separately for
garbage and recycling pick-up along with all other
municipalities except ours. Of course, they also rely
heavily on commercial properties and tourism for tax
revenues.
Town of Briarcliffe Acres-August 2014 Newsletter: Page 1 of 2
Mayor and Council were able to purchase the property at
121 North Gate Rd, meet the requirements for change of
use, and set up Town and BAPD operations without
raising taxes on residents.
The Town still has a significant reserve of funds for
unexpected expenses such as clean up and repairs of
damage from hurricanes and storms.
For 2013, below are the municipalities in Horry County
and their associated millage as listed on the Horry
County website.
2013 Municipalities Tax Levies
Loris
111.7
Atlantic Beach
84.5
Conway
79.3
Myrtle Beach
66.1
Aynor
60.8
Briarcliffe Acres
50.8**
Surfside
40.0*
North Myrtle Beach 38.0*
*Millage increase under consideration
** Briarcliffe Acres millage would be 43 mills without
garbage pickup included in tax base for comparison to
other municipalities
FEMA Reimbursement:-Town Receives a $27,000
check:
Because of the February
ice storm, the Town
incurred significant
expenses for clean up on
Town property and
significant expenses for
the removal of
residents’ storm debris
from their yards.
Governor Nikki Haley
was able to secure FEMA reimbursement for the storm
which then translated to local municipalities being
eligible for reimbursement. Our Town was able to apply
for FEMA reimbursement and received the standard
reimbursement of 75% of the Town’s total expenses
which were $36,000. A check for $27,000 was recently
received by the Town. Special thanks to Rebecca Hinds
who led our cleanup efforts, with help from Huston
Huffman, and for handling our successful FEMA
application.
Public Hearing- New Zoning Ordinance:
A public hearing will be held in August or September to
complete our review of the recommendations of the
Planning Commission on the Town's zoning ordinance.
Following that meeting Town Council will vote on
second reading to approve the new zoning ordinance.
Details of the public hearing will be announced once
the date for this meeting has been finalized.
We wish to thank the members of the Planning
Commission for their outstanding work over the past
two years in connection with the review of our zoning
and the work involved to rezone the property at 121
North Gate.
Roadwork Planned in September
In keeping with the Town’s theme of “measured
progress” on maintaining the infrastructure of the Town,
roadwork is planned for September. Portions of the
Town’s roads will be repaired, sealed or resurfaced.
Those residents’ affected will be notified a few days in
advance of the work. Any changes in driving patterns
through Town will be explained in an email.
Why Clean Up After Your Dog?
1. Good neighbors do it. (Bad neighbors don’t.)
2. Briarcliffe Acres Town Ordinance requires it as
part of the town's Stormwater Permit.
3. When pet
waste is left
behind, it
washes into
storm drains
and ditches.
From there it
heads to our
lakes, swash
and ocean.
Please pick up after
your pet and dispose
of it in the trash to
help keep our town,
beach and water clean.
Suggestions or comments welcomed on this newsletter.
Please contact Councilperson Abby Stewart at
[email protected]
Town of Briarcliffe Acres-August 2014 Newsletter: Page 2 of 2