The South Carolina State Ports Authority will pay nearly $1 million in a severance package to its former president and CEO, Barbara Melvin, who resigned unexpectedly last week. The bulk of the payout will be $822,780 in salary continuation payments through the end of this year, and a $100,000 contribution to her state retirement account. Melvin will also be hired as a consultant on an as-needed basis to help with the transition to new leadership through the end of this year. Melvin's payout does not come from state taxes, as the authority's employees are paid through revenue generated by the port, not the state budget.