Horry County Council and County Administrator Chris Eldridge agreed to terms of a four-year contract with $10,000 annual pay increases through 2018, when he will be paid $200,000.

The contract makes Eldridge the highest paid county employee. He manages a $373 million annual budget in a county where more than 2,100 employees either report to him or his department heads.

Eldridge’s current contract was signed in 2012. This year he makes $157,624.48, and will make $170,000 beginning July 1. It increases by $10,000 annually until 2018.