Dont ComplyWPDE Myrtle Beach/Florence reports that at the November 2 Loris city council meeting, auditor Marc Wood said he found more than $1.3 million in hospitality tax revenue was misused between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2023. State law limits that money to tourism-related purposes. Wood reviewed 531 transactions totaling nearly $1.7 million and deemed 292, totaling nearly $1.2 million, questionable because they lacked an invoice or council approval. His report also found 91 transactions, totaling more than $150,000, that did not meet guidelines, including three police cars, Watson Park cameras, police car decals and a mural painted without a contract. Wood also said money was moved from the hospitality fund to the general fund, which is not allowed. WPDE said it reached out to city leaders and had not received a response. It noted that city leadership has changed since the period audited.
Why it matters
State law restricts hospitality tax revenue to tourism-related uses, and the auditor found that large amounts were spent without invoices or council approval. The report points to gaps in documentation of public spending.
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