Public Safety Committee

Horry County Public Safety Committee meeting, October 14, 2026: The committee approved moving forward with staff recommendations to accept, if awarded, a South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs grant of up to $70,000 for the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s veterans’ drug court; staff said it would involve no county cost or ongoing county obligation. It also approved using $231,490 already budgeted in the Fire Fund contingency for FY2027 rescue leadership positions associated with a SAFER grant providing nine firefighters, with no change to the budget. Members also advanced community-benefit allocations, including $1,500 for Whitney Long’s volunteers, $4,000 for Aynor High School FFA, and $2,500 each for the Conway High School Education Foundation and Grand Strand Down Syndrome Society. The committee approved a resolution declaring a retiring sergeant’s weapon surplus; this was a surplus disposition, not a purchase.

Public commenters urged changes to animal-welfare rules, stronger breeding enforcement, pet licensing, and expanded spay/neuter services, suggesting license and penalty revenue could support shelter and animal-control programs; no related policy or spending action was taken. Staff presented a proposed public transparency portal for the existing Flock camera system, with no purchase decision reported. Fire and EMS updates covered staffing shortages, overtime and special-event costs, recruitment, and possible staffing changes for future budget consideration. No other procurement approval was identified.