June 2008 The Shoreline Page
Budget Needs
Continued from Page 1
Reserve Ftind were utilized to balance
the annual budget. When the 2006-
2007 audit revealed the Reserve Fund
had fallen below state required levels,
an analysis exposed the accounting
error. With the assistance of the State
and Local Finance Division a Special
Revenue Fund has been established and
a process of replenishing the Reserve
Fund is underway.
The evening meeting that convened
at 7 p.m. attracted a number of citizens.
The mayor, three commissioners and
the town manager were in attendance
as were the town department heads
and some staff. Town Manager Brian
Kramer in a power-point presentation
identified more than a dozen decisions
facing the BOC before they finalize the
2008-2009 fiscal year budget. He then
asked each of the five department heads
to briefly identify their programs and
services so as to present the context upon
which those decisions would be based.
Following these presentations the floor
was opened for questions.
Of the approximately 55 in attendance
20 individual citizens spoke. Some asked
questions, others offered opinions and
suggestions. Positive support for the
various services provided by the town
was also expressed. Some specific
reactions, including the practice of
the police using the town's cruisers to
drive to and from their homes, elicited
some strong opinions both pro and con.
Likewise, the town's contract with the
Sports Center elicited some favoring
its discontinuance while others held
the opposing position, citing the fact
that some employees and volunteers
perform duties that require physical
fitness. Comments about the planned
Soundside Park tended to be in favor
of either completely dropping the plans
or postponing them to a future date. A
strong concern was expressed about the
underlying cause of the current income
shortfall and what is being done to keep
it from occurring in the future. Several
citizens acknowledged a need to increase
taxes but cautioned that such increases
should be modest and only considered
after expenditures had been reduced as
much as possible.
Kramer reported that when the
income shortfall was discovered it
totaled approximately $920,000. He
immediately had the departments
review their current and expected
expenses to determine which should be
continued and identify those that could
be eliminated or postponed. Examples
included delaying replacement of
high mileage police cars; deferring
replacement of the heating / ventilating
/ air conditioning system at town hall
and some other reductions. With
those cutbacks a total of $350,000 was
identified thereby reducing the deficit to
$570,000. He noted that as a consequence
those expenses remaining constitute
needs not wants and further reductions
would of necessity come as a result of
personnel cutbacks.
Prior to adjourning the meeting
Kramer noted that the 2008-2009 town
budget is required to be in place on July 1
and that he expected the BOC to approve
the budget at its regular meeting June
10. He reminded everyone both the June
and July BOC meetings are scheduled
to begin at 7 p.m.
Mayor Lamson offered two points of
clarification. First, she reported that
according to current IRS regulations
the use of an automobile by town police
was not considered a perquisite since
their employment required them to be
available 24 hours per day. Second, she
noted that the Sports Center contract
was a flat fee. The contract allows
any employee, elected official or town
volunteer to sign-up to utilize the center.
Further, this fee has been in place for a
number of years at a significant discount
to the town.
Finally, commissioners Danehy, Peter
and Ed wards each expressed their thanks
to those in attendance and welcomed
additional thoughts and ideas.
Tennis (Over 80) Anyone
By Jane Ashland
Whoever thought people over 80
can't play tennis should think again. A
vigorous group of veteran players at the
Country Club of the Crystal Coast is not
even thinking of retiring arid some are still
participating in local tournaments.
Knee replacement recipient, John Adler
happened to mention this morning that he
was playing three different times today.
a fellow player piped up, "If I could play
tennis three times a day. I'd have knee
replacements too." Adler also swims in
the ocean and bikes everyday. One of the
most avid players, Evelyn McCord, was
not available for the picture on page 1.
So hats off to the spritely seniors
including Jeanne Mays who was quoted
as saying "We're still having fun."
Tour Guides For Fort Macon
Fort Macon State Park on the eastern
tip of Bogue Banks needs volunteer tour
guides to fulfill its upcoming season
schedule. In the May issue of NCMagazine
Fort Macon was listed as fifth out of the
25 most visited historic attractions and
museums in the state.
The FortMacon staff and volunteer corps
will provide interested men and women
with the necessary background reading
material, a mentor to work with you and
guide you in developing your own tour
style and a park historian to see you
through the actual tour process.
A recent visitor taking the Fort Macon
Tour remarked that they had a terrific
guide who made history come alive for
them. Actually, her words were, "It's as
if I stepped out of history!"
If you would like to become a guide
or need more information, please call
John Rhodes at 393-7313 or Paul Brand
at 726-8908.
Annual Fourth of July Parade
It will start at Garner Park at 10 a.m. and adults, kids and pets are welcome to
participate. Watch for signs at the park and around town for more details.
Town of Pine Knoll Shores
Board of Commissioners
Joan E. Lamson
Robert M. Danehy
Clark S. Edwards
Vincent Larson
Ted H. Lindblad
Bonnie J. Peters
Mayor 240-3110
Administration, Emergency
Management, Finance 240-2945
Police, Streets &
Public Property 726-7429
Finance, Fire & Rescue
Streets & Public Property 247-3187
Emergency Management,
Fire & Rescue, Planning 240-0580
Administration, Planning
Police 726-2735
Town Hall Phone: 247-4353 • Fax: 247-4355
E-mail: admin@townofpks.com • Web site:www.townofpks.com
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Public Safety Building
Police 247-2474 • Fire/EMS 247-2268 • Police/Fire Fax: 247-2897
After Hours Non-emergency Phone for Police: 504-4800
Emergency call: 911