Horry County is considering nearly doubling the passenger surcharge on casino boats that operate out of Little River, a move that has sparked controversy among residents and business owners in the area.
The proposal, which was put forward by the Horry County Council, would increase the surcharge from $3 to $5 per passenger. According to council members, the additional revenue generated from the surcharge increase would be used to fund improvements to the county’s infrastructure, particularly roads and bridges that are in need of repair.
One council member, who requested to remain anonymous, stated that the increase in the surcharge is necessary to address the county’s growing infrastructure needs. “Our roads and bridges are in desperate need of repair, and we simply do not have the funding to address these issues. By increasing the surcharge on casino boat passengers, we can generate additional revenue to invest in much-needed infrastructure improvements,” the council member said.
However, not everyone is on board with the proposal. Local business owners and residents have expressed concerns that the surcharge increase could deter customers from patronizing the casino boats, ultimately hurting the local economy.
“We rely on the casino boats to bring in customers to our businesses. If the surcharge is nearly doubled, it could drive potential customers away and have a negative impact on our bottom line,” said Jane Smith, owner of a gift shop in Little River.
Additionally, some residents have questioned whether the increase in the surcharge is fair to casino boat passengers. “I already pay a fare to ride the casino boat, so why should I have to pay even more just to support the county’s infrastructure projects?” said John Doe, a local resident.
The Horry County Council is expected to vote on the proposal in the coming weeks. In the meantime, discussions and debates surrounding the potential surcharge increase continue to unfold in the community.