The year 2023 saw the City of Loris plan for the future, elect a new mayor and hand the responsibility of conducting local elections over to Horry County. It celebrated successful sports teams, acquired a once-admired building that had become an eyesore, and survived several storms that flooded streets and a handful of homes.
Loris City Council voted Monday, Dec. 4 to lay the groundwork for the possible sale of the city’s water and sewer system to the Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority. Council ordered that spreadsheets be prepared showing the finances for the system, so citizens can decide if the city should retain the water and wastewater systems, or sell.
Incumbents Joan Gause, Jan Vescovi and Lewis Hardee will face competition from newcomers Keith Massey and Tonya Faulk Sykes in the race for three Loris City Council seats in the Tuesday, Nov. 7 election.
A special audit may be conducted to determine if hospitality tax funds collected by the city of Loris have been properly spent. Loris Mayor Todd Harrelson termed the audit proposal a "political ploy."
In exchange of $1.5 million, the city of Loris will receive the 17-acre tract of land where the old high school is located, enabling it to immediately secure and beautify the property.