Councilman Harold Worley District 1 Horry County SC

Councilman Worley has and will continue to focus on the vital issues effecting Horry County's growth, quality of life, and financial soundness. Among those issues are:

-Impact Fees: During the years Harold has served his community in various elected positions, he has NEVER VOTED FOR A TAX INCREASE—and he does not plan on changing that record. Harold believes that imposing an impact fee on new building activity will provide the funds necessary to keep public services at optimum levels without raising property taxes. Without this impact fee, property taxes will eventually be raised to provide the services so essential to our quality of life. Horry County is one of the fastest growing areas in America. The families and retirees moving here every day want increased recreational opportunities, quick response from public safety during emergencies, better roads, libraries, and the best education possible—and current residents and property owners want the same thing! DO NOT BE MISLEAD—IMPACT FEES ARE NOT A TAX ON CURRENT PROPERTY OWNERS AND RESIDENTS—THEY ARE A ONE TIME FEE ON NEW CONSTRUCTION.

-The Loris-Chadborn Connector: This key road initiative establishes a long-needed access point to the Grand Strand from North Carolina, providing a four lane highway connector between the cities of Chadborn, NC, and Loris, SC. The initiative was announced following several meetings with the Columbus County, North Carolina Transportation Commission, and a resolution is expected to be introduced shortly. Harold has been working on this project for approximately ten years. He believes strongly in the benefits the Connector can provide our region by giving travelers easy access to I-95.

-The Myrtle Beach International Airport Expansion: Harold knows the importance of an efficient Airport to the economy of Horry County. He also understands that a large portion of the $228 MILLION price tag needed to build a proposed new terminal—a number that grows with our ever-changing economy— will eventually become the burden of local tax-payers. Infrastructure to support the new terminal, which includes new roads and bridges, will add millions more to the project. Harold supports a plan to renovate the existing terminal using funds available in an airport account currently funded by passenger fees. By doing this the burden of a possible tax increase on local property owners to pay for a new terminal would be lifted. He does not support a regional airport in Marion County.

-The RIDE Initiative: Harold believes new state roads and improvements to existing state roads should be paid for with State and Federal gas taxes. Arterial roads should be paid for with a road impact fee. Harold has consistently voted against imposing a one percent sales tax for roads while serving in the SC House of Representatives and today on Horry County Council.

-The Myrtle Beach International Trade Center: This issue warrants further study and exploration, as we determine the best ways to grow Horry County's vital tourism industry, and to elevate this region to one of national and international prominence as a destination for large meetings and conventions.

-Zoning Issues: For the past two years Harold has fought to get the Highway 17/Little River Corridor changed to the new highway commercial classifications. He believes it is crucial for the county to address matters of zoning which have the potential to destroy existing residential neighborhoods and lower the quality of life every Horry County citizen deserves. Harold is opposed to golf course developers and owners who sell golf course lots, homes and condos then later, to the detriment of those homeowners, abandon the golf course to high density development.

-Casino Boats: Harold understands the many issues surrounding the casino boats currently docked in Little River. He realizes as well that an attempt to remove the boats could take many years and cost the taxpayers millions of dollars in specialized legal fees. Harold has voted to allow the boats to remain but only under the stipulation that boat owners pay a significant fee to the county. Harold supports a 10 percent boarding pass fee and a 5 percent tax on gross wagers. Combined, these fees will generate over $2 million a year! Harold proposes using this money to fund the additional police officers presently needed to effectively protect and serve the citizens of Horry County.

COUNCILMAN WORLEY CURRENTLY SERVES AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE.