Opinion ID: 2508577
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Authority to Enact the Ordinance

Text: Despite Plaintiffs' extensive arguments concerning the question of whether Horry County had the authority to enact the Ordinance, the issue is not squarely before us, as the single question certified to this Court concerns preemption. However, for the sake of providing context to the preemption discussion, and because the two questions are inextricably linked in this case, we conclude Horry County validly enacted the Ordinance in furtherance of its police powers. Recognizing that [t]he management of solid waste is the inherent responsibility of local government, whose authority in this area is derived from its police powers, the Ordinance purports to protect the health, safety, and general well-being of the citizens of Horry County, enhance and maintain the quality of the environment, conserve natural resources and to prevent water and air pollution by providing for a comprehensive, rational and effective means of regulating the collection and disposal of waste. . . . Horry County Code 02-09, Art. I, § 1.1. We note that the mere mention of police power rhetoric as part of the preamble to an ordinance does not guarantee that a local governmental action is a valid exercise of such powers. See, e.g., Henderson v. City of Greenwood, 172 S.C. 16, 24, 172 S.E. 689, 691 (S.C.1934) (The mere statement in the preamble of an ordinance that is passed under the police power does not give a municipality carte blanche to pass an unreasonable ordinance or one opposed to the Constitution or laws of the state.) (citations omitted). However, in view of the counties' longstanding involvement in the field of solid waste management, we find that the Ordinance represents a valid exercise of Horry County's police powers, as articulated in section 4-9-25 of the South Carolina Code. [9]