PUBLIC HEARING IS JUNE 28
Ocean Isle Beach
Reduction In Prop
Eyeing 3-Cents
erty Tax Rate
BY SUSAN USHER
Property tax revenues would go up about
S 25, 000 and the tax rate would drop 3 cents at
Ocean Isle Beach under a proposed 1994-95 bud
get.
Commissioners will hold a public hearing on
the budget June 28 at 9 ?.m. at the town hall as
part of a continuation of their June 14 meeting.
The proposed budget is based on an estimated
tax base of $382.37 million, up from a year ago
by $67.4 million following county revaluation
and still subject to adjustment, said Mayor Betty
Williamson. It calls for a tax rate of 17 cents per
SI 00 of real property valuation and a 99 percent
collection rate.
Of that 17-cent tax rate, 3 cents, or roughly
$114,712, is designated for the beach restoration
and erosion control fund.
The overall budget reflects two new positions,
one in administration and one in the sewer depart
ment; a move to handheld units for meter reading;
two police vehicles and one vehicle for the wa
ter/ sewer departments; adding to town hall a sep
arate wing to house the police department; and
expansion of the town's emergency headquarters
into a substation for the Shallotte Volunteer
Rescue Squad (See related story in this issue.).
Personnel costs reflect a pay plan revised with
the help of the Cape Fear Council of Govern
ments and a new 401K plan for all employees,
with the town contributing 5 percent. A 401K
plan, which the state already requires be provided
for police officers, allows employees to set aside
money for retirement from their wages before in
come tax is calculated.
Broken down by fund, the 1994-95 budget
look* like this:
? general fund (day-to-day operations), $1.05
million;
? water fund, $458,000;
? sewer fund, $613,007;
? accommodations tax, $425,500;
H airport, 527,500, reflecting a $25,000 con
tribution from Brunswick County.
General departmental totals are as follows:
?dmuuMmnm, $147,577; buiauiiig unycuiuiia,
$58,930; professional services, $2,000; policy de
partment. $315,962; first respondent $9,350,
mosquito control, $6,930; sanitation (including
recycling), $105,200; street and right-of-way.
$78,857; municipal buildings, $166,500; canal
dredging, $5,000; planning and zoning and under
ground utilities, $36,000; beach re nourishment,
$114,712; fire department, $5,000; cleaning and
mowing lots, $1,000.
Reserve Funds Boosted
Reflected in the fund balances are the pro
posed addition of nearly $235,000 to reserve ac
counts to address future needs such as beach re
nourishment and expansion of water, sewer and
street services.
The $114,712 contribution from the general
fund and $90,000 in accommodations tax rev
enues will increase the beach restoration and erb
sion control reserve fund to $655,694; while an
other $20,000 in general fund revenues and
$25,000 in accommodations tax revenues will
bring the streets and right-of-way reserve fund to
$95,000. Another $5,000 in accommodations tax
revenues will increase the sidewalks and bike
path fund to $62,836, for work expected to be
done once the underground utility project is com
pleted.
In the enterprise departments the town will '
add $25,000 io the sewer capital project reserve-'
fund, for a cumulative total of $140,749, and
$45,000 to the water capital project reserve fund,
for a cumulative total of $62,836.
The town also has set aside $359,739 to pay
principal and interest on its sewer project debt;
$136,2X3 for the underground utility project: and
$50,329 to cover meter deposit refunds.
Accommodations Ifcx Fund
Accommodations tax revenues will also be
used to support police and administration,
539,000; trash collection, $98,000; park manage
ment. strand cleanup, causeway beautifi cation.
$17,000; Shallotte Volunteer Rescue Squad,
$5,000; Ocean Isle Beach Volunteer Fire De
partment Association, $10,000; South Brunswick
Islands Chamber of Commerce, $14,000; canal
dredging. $25,000; lighting, $57,000; public park
ing. $2,000; signs and public relations, 52^500;
and $5,000 for contingency and miscellaneous
administrative purposes.
Other Business
In other business Tuesday, with Commis
sioners Debbie Fox and Kendall Suh absent:
? commissioners met in executive session
with attorney Elva Jess over a legal matter relat
ing to accessways and a property owner's efforts
to withdraw dedication of part of sn sccessway
from public use. The attorney was directed to in
vestigate further.
5 Poiice Chief Curi Friichprd reported offi
cers responding to 129 calls during May.
? Building Inspector Druicd Eooerson report
ed issuing seven building permits in the extrater
ritorial area for construction valued at $179,980.
and 43 permits in town for construction valued at
$546,390.
B Utilities Commissioner Odd! Williamson
reported that rust and turbulence in water over the
Memorial Day holiday was caused by a drop in
county water pressure. Increased water flow
shook loose rust in the water mains.
? Mayor Williamson announced that the
Ocean Isle Beach POA had completed a handi
capped access ramp at Raeford Street, the Pilot
Club of South Brunswick Islands had donated a
beach chair that will allow the disabled to enjoy
the beach, and Janet Sanders had hosted a party
for town employees.
? also, she reported town employees will
soon begin regular raking of the heavily used
strand between the Ocean Isle Motel and The
Breakers, and will begin installing new street
signs next week.
? commissioners approved change orders and
payment of $144,687 to MAC Construction Co.
for a major street resurfacing project completed a
week ahead of schedule.
? citing uncertainty over the cost of watef and
over the town's enforcement ability, the board
took no action on a proposal to allow property
owners to install a second water meter for lawn
irrigation and other non-residential uses. Water
committee members Mayor Williamson and
Commissioners Debbie Fox and Janet Sanders
will consider the proposal as well as review water
rates and fees in relation to the county's new
wholesale rate for water.
? Mayor Williamson named Commissioners
Debbie Fox and Kendall Sub to look into s re
quest from a group of property owners to provide
short-term and long-term relief from erosion on
the east end.
? She told Ron Speakman, who asked about
the town's vacant lot cleanup policy, that town
staff is slightly behind schedule because of other
projects such as debris pick-up on the east end.
? Commissioner Ken Proctor advised Jack
Cements, who was questioning efforts by the
volunteer fire department to improve its fire in
surance rating, and in the process, reduce premi
ums for homeowners, that the volunteers are
working as hard as they can to qualify for a lower
rating. They have encountered additional criteria
that must be met before the current rating of 8 can
be dropped.
S commissioners agreed to donate one sur
plus computer monitor and keyboard each to the
fire department and to the Museum of Coastal
Carolina; and approved advertising of a new sec
retary/receptionist position available July 1, and
for bids on a used police vehicie.
Library Dedication Sunday
The new Leland Branch of the Brunswick
County Library will be dedicated in a ceremony
Sunday, June 19, at 2 p.m. The dedication will be
followed by an open house.
Weekly operating schedule for the library is as
follows: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.; Wednesdays, 9 a.m.
until 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.; Sun
days, 2-6 p.m.
Coxlo- 8.
jiair design
*vntiy~
" Special sjfccisfcr the snare jwr?a
Car la Holdcn, formerly with Touch of Class, Is pleased to
announce the opening of her own salon on Hwy. 17 South.
Tar a & Car La invite their former clients and friends to visit
them at their new salon.
A Full Service Salon
Car la Holden -Owner /Stylist
Tar a Lambert
Manicurist /Nail Technician
Walk-ins Welcome
Open Mon.-Sat. 9-5
579-7326
4
Now Open On Hwy. 17 S.. Shallotte
(across form Holden Brothers Farm Market)
3
Alice Ts
Restaurant
-3 pm
Satr-Sun-7 am -3 pm
_ ? ?
Breakfast Buffet Sat. & Sun.
Breakfast Special
$I,99
Try our new daily lunch specials
*3.95
Dinner Specials
Featuring great seafood
and steaks
Join us for some great
entertainment on
Friday and Saturday
night with Karaoke.
Sing and dance the
night awayl
Open 7 days a week until
Hwy. 130 Holden Beach R<
754-8989
9
announcing the merger of sea oats ,
County Auto Re'taIlerS
COUNTY AUTO RETAILERS , n er 50 CarS & Trucks To Choose* Fmml
To A Valued Customer,
of famishing some of your automotive
At this time, We are proud to announce the merger of COUNTY AUTO
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of Shallotte on Business Hwy. 17 (Resort Plazs). Combining our inventory and
many new parchases, we have a super selection of late raodeb and older model
cars, both top of the line and less expensive. We offer a huge variety of tracks <
' ? - At the present time, we have a large number of med
'91 Ford Explorer ^
' **>, 4x4. Kke nswi 90 day/3000 mi.. iSTi Sho"roonl
*85 Cauiii&c ReetwOOd
Brougham, 4 -dr., Real luxury family driving
'88 Mercury
Station Wagon. 9 passenger.
tamNy wagon!
nice. 3 1
The ulmoat in Europaan luxury. Juat Hke brand
*91 Cad!!!sc Ccape DeVUe-ftxB hear/
*88 Mazda RX-7-bright red, lots of extras. Like new.
*88 Pontlac 6000-4 dr., good economical transportation
affordable price.
'87 SAAB 900-2-dr., like brand new!
*88 Mazda Pickup 4x4-Rollbar w/lights. Real fine truck.
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We offer various financing
plans to fit every budget!