08/28/2026
Greetings again, Surfside Beach. Starting with this week’s council meeting, Communications featured a presentation from SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) on cyber fraud threats, followed by staff reports. SLED indicated the method employed against the town, where a legitimate email account of a service provider is taken over, is the most prevalent and successful method employed by cyber criminals. In summary, SLED recommended slowing down on urgent payment requests to allow for proper verification. Staff report highlights informed us that the courthouse/council chamber bids came in at about $4M plus soft costs (utilities, furnishings, etc) and the purchase of the land adjacent to Public Works is complete and that building should commence around the end of the year. Beach renourishment has completed and cleanup of the pipe equipment is winding down—we needed the sand and glad this one is done!!!
The Discussion and Business sections followed; in Discussion, the town considered a presentation on PlaQRd, a digital guide to what is going on in town. The Discussion section is used to allow Town Council to make motions (not permitted in Communications section) on items that are not ready for final vote (as in Business section). Town Council expressed interest in the idea and voted to approve the concept, have staff continue developing the idea to reduce cost and to reach out to local businesses to gauge their interest in paid participation in order to recoup costs. If progress is made on these fronts, the town will develop an RFP for the program and other providers will also be able to bid. In Business, Town Council approved a memorandum of agreement with the SC Department of Juvenile Justice for youth detention needs and multiple resolutions: a $1000 donation from Eugene Reid to the Surfside Beach Fire Department (SBFD) in recognition of its life-saving efforts and a $300 donation from Jane Morgan to the Keep Surfside Beach Beautiful Committee (KSBB), which will be used to purchase a branded tent for event usage. Two other resolutions reappointed Public Works Director Adair to the Technical Advisory Committee for the Horry County Solid Waste Management Plan (his 4th appointment—well done, Director Adair!!!) and approved a letter of support for construction of I-73 in South Carolina.
The town is closing in on the 2nd annual End of Summer Fireworks Festival; make your plans to attend Sunday evening before Labor Day. The following Friday, SBFD will hold the 3rd Annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Surfside Beach Fishing Pier to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the attack; let’s show our support for our first responders. I will climb as long as I can that morning and I hope you will be there too—even if you can’t climb the stairs, please come and honor those who gave their all 25 years ago and those who are still willing to do so today. The next day is Celebrate Surfside Beach Festival, sponsored and organized by My Horry News and several local businesses; a portion of proceeds will benefit Surfside Beach K-9 Association and the Grand Strand Humane Society.
Another exciting item ahead—the evening of September 15, Town Council will hold a workshop also involving Planning Commission and Business Committee—a follow-up to the meeting held early this year on economic development potential in Surfside Beach. We will discuss some ideas that have been raised and likely funding sources and hear from the Conway City Manager about what has worked and what difficulties were encountered throughout Conway’s redevelopment efforts. Most of all, the town wants to know what you think—please plan to attend and offer your ideas in the public comment portions.
Before the events above, Memorial Park hosts the final Live Music in Memorial Park event of the season this Sunday; come check it out. In addition, the town and its pier businesses have been invited to appear on Grand Strand Today with HalleyMay Murrow, this Monday morning, August 31 at 11 AM in advance of the End-of-Summer event. Please tune in to support The Family Beach and our local businesses.
Thanks again for your attention and interest in The Family Beach; please stay engaged and involved with your town. Contact town staff or council members via phone, text, email, or especially through in-person meetings and attend public meetings and comment when you have something to say. I continue to hold open office hours most weeks on Thursdays from 3 to 4:30 PM and I remain available by appointment. Thanks again for being a part of Surfside Beach.
Mayor Robert Krouse
Town of Surfside Beach
210 U.S. Highway 17 South Surfside Beach, SC 29575
P | 843-913-6330
M | 843-995-6714
E | [email protected]
“The Family Beach”
