City of Myrtle Beach

What City of Myrtle Beach does

The City of Myrtle Beach is a municipal government entity incorporated in 1938 that became a city in 1957, operating under a Council-Manager form of government and serving 35,000+ permanent residents plus millions of annual visitors to South Carolina's Grand Strand coast. The city is governed by an elected mayor and six council members who appoint a professional City Manager (Jonathan "Fox" Simons, Jr.) to oversee approximately 900 full-time and 150+ part-time employees across more than sixteen departments and divisions, including Police, Fire, Emergency Management, Public Works, Solid Waste & Recycling, Parks/Recreation & Sports Tourism, Convention Center, Planning & Zoning, Construction Services, Financial Services, Human Resources, GIS, and Communications.

The service portfolio spans public safety (300+ officer Police Department, Fire Department, Municipal Court, Emergency Management with the Regroup-powered MB Alerts system), infrastructure (roads, drainage, stormwater, water/sewer coordination with Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority, solid waste collection across four zones), community development (zoning, building permits, business licensing, code enforcement), recreation (five recreation centers, Chapin Memorial Library, Rivers Lynch Tennis Center, sports tourism venues, plus an upcoming esports program), and civic engagement (My Beach 101, Citizens Fire Academy, ATAX grants). Core technology infrastructure includes ESRI-based GIS, BidNet Direct procurement, Revize CMS, Municode for code publishing, JustFOIA, and online service portals for utilities, parking decals, and licensing.

The city's revenue model is funded through a diversified mix of compulsory and transaction-based municipal charges. The FY27 operating budget of $384 million draws from property taxes (88.9 mills with a 67.45% Tourism Development Fee credit), business licenses and permits (~32% of General Fund), hospitality fees (~27% of total budget), accommodations tax, utility billings (water/sewer/stormwater with pass-through rate increases), solid waste fees ($32.85/month residential), recreation memberships ($20-$295/month tiered), and Convention Center bookings operating at 70% occupancy. The city maintains a fund balance exceeding $40 million and receives supplemental federal funding such as a $1.5 million 2020 COPS grant covering 75% of salaries for 10 new officers.

Name

City of Myrtle Beach

Legal name

City of Myrtle Beach

Website

https://cityofmyrtlebeach.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The City of Myrtle Beach is a municipal government serving 35,000+ residents and millions of annual visitors with public safety, utilities, infrastructure, recreation, and Convention Center services, operated by 900+ full-time staff under a Council-Manager form of government with a $384 million FY27 budget.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Government Services

NAICS

Police Protection (922120), Fire Protection (922160), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Planning, Zoning, Permitting & Code Enforcement (BPAIACAE), Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Municipal government services
• Public safety administration
• Utility and infrastructure
• Parks and recreation
• Business licensing and permitting

Headquarters

HQ city

Myrtle Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices15 records

Markets served

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Taxes: Ad valorem property taxes at 88.9 mills rate with TDF credit of 67.45% for owner-occupied homes. Property taxes account for approximately 23.9-28% of General Fund revenue.
2. Business Licenses and Permits: Business license fees providing approximately 31-32% of General Fund revenues. Includes hospitality fee and local accommodations tax collection.
3. Accommodations Tax (ATAX): Total funding awarded each year averages about $750,000 to $800,000 to 40+ applicants annually for tourism-related activities and facilities.
4. Hospitality Taxes and Fees: Tourism-related revenues including hospitality fees provide approximately 27% of total budget. Includes Tourism Development Fee (TDF) which generates tax credits for homeowners.
5. Utility Services: Water, sewer, and stormwater services with rate increases passing through wholesale costs from Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority plus system maintenance charges.
6. Recreation and Facility Fees: Membership fees for recreation centers ranging from $20-$295/month depending on age and residency. Facility rentals, class fees, and sports tourism event fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The City of Myrtle Beach is a municipal government providing essential public services to approximately 35,000 permanent residents and millions of annual visitors. Its core offerings include public safety (police, fire, emergency management), infrastructure maintenance (roads, stormwater, water/sewer), solid waste and recycling collection, parks and recreation programs, business licensing and permitting, planning and zoning, municipal court services, and operation of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and sports tourism venues. The city collects property taxes, business license fees, hospitality fees, accommodations taxes, and utility fees to fund operations under a Council-Manager form of government.

Product overview

The City of Myrtle Beach operates as a municipal government providing a comprehensive portfolio of public services to approximately 35,000 permanent residents and millions of annual visitors. The city's service portfolio spans public safety (Police, Fire, Emergency Management, Municipal Court), infrastructure (Public Works, Solid Waste & Recycling, Engineering, Utilities), community development (Planning & Zoning, Construction Services, Business Licensing), recreation (Parks, Recreation Centers, Sports Tourism, Library), and administrative services (Human Resources, Finance, Communications). Key platforms include the Convention Center for event hosting, GIS mapping services for spatial data, emergency notification systems (MB Alerts), online permitting and payment portals, and various community programs like Citizens Fire Academy and My Beach 101. The city processes ATAX grants totaling $750,000-$800,000 annually and operates capital improvement projects including Fire Station No. 1, stormwater improvements, and water/sewer infrastructure updates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Police Department Services Law enforcement, emergency response, crime prevention, and community policing services with over 300 officers and staff. Services include 911 emergency response, non-emergency calls, detention facility, training, animal control, and crime prevention programs.
• Fire Department Services Fire suppression, emergency medical response, water rescue, and fire prevention education services provided by the city's fire department.
• Emergency Management Services Disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation leadership including the Emergency Operations Plan and MB Alerts emergency notification system for hurricanes, severe weather, and public safety alerts.
• Public Works Services Infrastructure services including asphalt/concrete maintenance, city vehicle maintenance, drainage system maintenance, street maintenance, stormwater management, traffic coordination, and water/sewer services.
• Solid Waste & Recycling Collection Residential garbage, recycling, yard waste, and bulky junk collection services provided weekly through a four-zone system at $32.85 per month. Includes operation of the Jake Abraham Transfer Station and curbside roll cart collection.
• Utility Billing Services Water, sewer, and stormwater utility billing services for residential and commercial customers within the city's service area east of the Intracoastal Waterway.
• Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Operation of multiple recreation centers (General Robert H. Reed, Mary C. Canty, Pepper Geddings, Crabtree Memorial Gymnasium), maintenance of city parks, recreation programs, and management of sports tourism events and facility rentals.
• Myrtle Beach Convention Center City-owned and operated convention and tradeshow venue hosting conventions, tradeshows, and public events with Administration, Concessions, Convention Services, Engineering, Operations, and Sales and Marketing divisions.
• Business License Services Issuance of business licenses, collection of hospitality fees, and local accommodations tax collection for businesses operating within the city. Renewals due by April 30 annually.
• Construction Services & Permits Building permits, property maintenance enforcement, plan review, construction inspections, trade permits (electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical), and floodplain administration.
• Planning & Zoning Services Formulation of plans, policies, and ordinances for physical, social, and economic growth. Includes zoning administration, GIS mapping, annexation guidance, tree protection permits, and board of zoning appeals.
• Special Events Permitting Permitting for organized activities using public property, facilities, parks, sidewalks, or public roadways, ensuring events are safe and have minimal community impact.
• Municipal Court Services Court handling criminal-traffic matters, bond court, jury trials, quality of life court, and domestic violence court. Services include ticket payment processing and court appearance management.
• ATAX Grant Program Accommodations Tax Grant program awarding approximately $750,000 to $800,000 annually to 40+ applicants through an application and review process managed by the Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee for tourism-related activities.
• Resident Parking Decal Program Residential parking permits for city residents who have paid property taxes on vehicles, available online or in-person with vehicle-specific decals. Non-resident decals available for $100 per year for defined areas.
• Chapin Memorial Library Public library services offering free membership to city residents, Horry County residents, and military personnel, with computer access, digital resources, and programming.
• Capital Projects Management Capital Improvement Program coordination, construction management, existing and new building renovations, and future maintenance programs including Fire Station No. 1, stormwater improvements, and water/sewer infrastructure.
• GIS Mapping Services Geographic Information System services managing layers including parcels, streets, 9-1-1 data, sewer, water, and drainage utilities, providing public access to zoning maps and spatial data using ESRI software.
• My Beach 101 Program Eight-session government education program providing residents a behind-the-scenes look at city operations, with sessions covering Fire, Financial Services, Police, Public Works departments and city history.
• Citizens Fire Academy 10-week program allowing participants behind-the-scenes access to the Fire Department, including wearing fire gear, driving fire trucks, and learning water rescue skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• Property tax rate of 88.9 mills with TDF credit providing $600/year savings on $250,000 home
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Horry County Emergency Management DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partnership for emergency management coordination between city and county levels. Joint emergency response, shared resources, and coordinated disaster planning for the greater Myrtle Beach area including evacuation zones and Know Your Zone program.
• South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level emergency management agency providing coordination, resources, and support for disaster preparedness and response. Partnership with FEMA for federal emergency response coordination.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing disaster recovery support, floodplain management, National Flood Insurance Program administration, and emergency management funding through grants.
• Grand Strand Water and Sewer AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholesale water and sewer service provider supplying the city's water systems. Rate increases from this provider are passed through to city utility customers. City coordinates water and sewer services east of Intracoastal Waterway.
• Santee CooperminorOthersElectric utility provider for street lighting. Citizens report faulty street lights or power outages through Santee Cooper's system.
• National Hurricane Center (NOAA NHC)coreTechnology or IntegrationFederal weather forecasting agency providing hurricane tracking and warning data integrated into city emergency management systems.
• South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency owning and maintaining certain roadways within Myrtle Beach city limits. City refers citizens to SCDOT for traffic calming requests on state-owned roads.
• Regroup Emergency NotificationscoreTechnology or IntegrationEmergency notification platform powering MB Alerts system for city-wide emergency communications via email, text, and phone calls.
• Cumulus RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio partner for Myrtle Beach Focus Podcast featuring city topics, interviews, and community information.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• City of Pensacola, FL: Gulf Coast beach destination city with similar tourism-driven revenue, beach administration, and hurricane risk profile. Operates comparable municipal services.
• Town of Ocean City, MD: Mid-sized Atlantic beach resort municipality heavily reliant on seasonal tourism revenue, with comparable convention and recreation functions. Similar seasonal demand patterns.
• City of Charleston, SC: Coastal South Carolina municipal government providing public safety, utilities, parks, and tourism-related services. Most directly comparable peer given same state, similar coastal tourism economy, and shared regulatory framework.
• City of Galveston, TX: Gulf Coast tourism municipality with similar beach management, convention facilities, and hurricane exposure profile. Comparable in size, revenue mix, and operational challenges.
• City of Wilmington, NC: Coastal Carolinas city with shared regional tourism dynamics, similar hurricane risk profile, and comparable parks/recreation and public safety service portfolio.
• Town of Hilton Head Island, SC: South Carolina coastal tourism-dependent municipality with comparable beach-administration, hospitality tax, and recreation center functions. Strong match on tourism-driven revenue model.
• City of North Charleston, SC: South Carolina municipal government with similar service portfolio including police, fire, public works, recreation, and business licensing under the same state legal regime. Comparable scale and operating model.
• City of Virginia Beach, VA: Mid-sized Atlantic coastal city with similar resort-tourism economy, convention center operations, beach management, and hurricane exposure. Directly comparable in service mix and revenue model.

Regional players

• Horry County, SC: County government encompassing the City of Myrtle Beach, providing overlapping emergency management, public safety, and infrastructure services. Operates in the same geography with shared revenue dynamics.
• City of Fernandina Beach, FL: Smaller coastal tourism municipality in the same U.S. Southeast region with comparable beach administration, hospitality tax, and small-permanent-population-with-seasonal-visitors profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MyrtleBeachGov
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MyrtleBeachCityGov
• Facebookfacebook.com/myrtlebeachcitygovernment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/city-of-myrtle-beach
• Instagraminstagram.com/myrtlebeachgov

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about City of Myrtle Beach