Newspapers / The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, … / Sept. 12, 1991, edition 1 / Page 6
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HOW WAS MONEY SPENT? Holden Beach Board Plans Workshop On Occupancy Tax Fund BY DOUG RIUTKR Holden Beach homeowners and real es tate agents want to know how town offic ials have spent the occupancy tax money they've collected the last two years and how they plan to spend it this year. Town Manager Gary Parker will set up a public workshop on the matter. But he said this week that the town has spent the tax money according to state law, which says it must be used for tourist-related expenses. "The ways in which the town is using the money are perfectly OK." Parker said at Monday's town meeting. "1 don't think there's any doubt about it." Vacationers pay the occupancy or nx>m tax to homeowners or a'a! estate companies, who then pay it to the town. Holden Beach expects to receive about S2(X),(XK) from the tax tins fiscal year. Parker said both the town attorney and officials with the N.C. League of Municipalities have reviewed Holden Beach's occupancy tax records. He also said the auditor would tell the town if it was do ing something wrong. Alan Holden. who owns a real estate com pany on the island, said agents would like to know how the money has been spent in the [\ist and how it's been allocated this year. "We're not questioning your integrity." Holden said. "We just want to know where it went." He said real estate agents need the infor mation so they can pass it on to the people who own the rental houses and the vaca tioners who rent the homes and pay the tax. Last year. Holdcn said the people were told that some of the money would he used for sidewalks. The town budget included S-U).(XX) for sidewalks, but they were never built. Reacting to Holden's comments. Mayor Pro Tcm Gloria Barrett said the town's oe cupancy tax records arc public and the town doesn't owe anyone a written report. She accused the real estate developer of putting out a "propaganda sheet" which said the occupancy lax issue was a reason that only one commissioner was running for re election in November. But Holdcn isn't the only person interest ed in seeing how the occupancy tax mon ey's been spent. Retired residents Don Pollard and John Broadnax also questioned how the dollars have been used. Pollard said the town has been allocating some ol its occupancy tax money lor the police department, but the town has the same number of officers as it did in I^S^ \shcn it started collecting occupancy tax. Parker suggested residents and real estate agents get more involved in the budget pro cess it they're not happy with how occupan cy tax revenues arc allocated. In the meantime, he said he would get in formation out to the real estate companies showing how the money was spent last year and what it was allocated lor this year. Commissioner Bob Buck admitted Monday night that the town has made at least one mistake handling its occupancy tax fund. In the past, he said occupancy tax money "We're not questioning your integrity. We just want to know where it went." ? Alan 1 loldcn On occupancy tax funds thai wasn't spent went into the general liiiul balance at the eiul ol the fiscal year instead of staying hi the occupancy tax fund. Canal Dredging Despite earlier talk, of coordinating a canal dredging project, several commission ers said Monday they're worried about the liability the town will have il it gets in volved. Parker said property owners groups in all three canal subdivisions at I loldcn Beach are presently getting signatures from landowners who willing to pay their share for the work. They want the town to hire a dredging company and then assess landowners for the work. Parker said two of the canal areas only need the mouths dredged, and the oth er needs more extensive work. But several commissioners said Monday night that dredging the canals could cause damage to docks and bulkheads and open the town up for a lawsuit. "I'm gun shy as the devil," Commis sioner Buck said. Board member Judy Bryan said the town could get into " lot of trouble" if it took on the project. Commissioner Kenner Amos said the canals were built to accommodate small fishing huts. "We never intended to have a marina up and down those canals." Amos said the canal property owner groups want the town to oversee die project becausc some people didn't pay the last lime it was done. Mrs. Barrett said she thinks the canal property owners should handle the work again and leave the town out of it. Other Business In other business Monday, commission ers: ?Accepted the low bid of $23,603 from MAC Construction of Shallottc for the paving of Shrimp and Salisbury streets. Commissioners also held a public hearing and decided to proceed with the paving of Burlington Street. ? Voted to purchase an above-ground gaso line storage tank to replace the underground lank, as recommended by the town manag er. Parker said the tank will cost about the same as buying gas from a service station in the long run. The initial cost will be be tween $6,IXX) and S7,(XX), and an architect's design will cost at least S5(X). ? Met in executive session for 20 minutes to discuss land acquisition. Mayor John Tandy said no action was taken. ?Referred to the planning and zoning board a proposal to raise the fee from $35 to $50 tor appealing the building inspector's deci sion U) the board of adjustment. ?Voted to continue the town's membership in the Cape Fear Council of Governments. The annual dues arc $60(1, for which the town receives 20 hours of stall time. ?Talked about building a sidewalk along Ocean Boulevard, but came to no decision on where it should be built or when work should begin. The town has to coordinate the construction with crews putting power and cable television lines underground. Holdcn Beach has enough money in this year's budget to build 5,000 lect of sidewalks. ?Briefly discussed whether the town should try to save Hillside Drive from erosion. The ocean has been eating away lots on the south side of the street. Parker said the town has the option of building sandbag bulk heads if the ocean comes within 20 feel ol the street. ?Postponed action on a proposed ordinance that would require property owners to bulk head canal lots before they arc developed. The planning and zoning board is still working on ihe ordinance. ? Heard from Parker ihat ihe town had to re advertise for bids on a new public works garage after it only received two bids the first time around. The town is getting bids on both a "stick-buili" and meuil garage. ?Accepted 1 (K) blue reflcclors as a gift from Tri-Bcach Volunteer Fire Department. The reflectors, which were donated to the fire department, will be attached to fire hy drants on the island. Health Board Resets Meeting The Brunswick Counly Board of Health failed to reach a quorum for its regular meeting Monday night Chairman Bill Rabon rescheduled the meeting for Monday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m., because just three of the 1 1 board members were present. On the agenda is a discussion of a proposed seafood inspection ordi nance, to be presented by Environmental Health Specialist Gary Mc Donald. The ordinance is aimed at inspecting and licensing fresh sea food vendors in Brunswick County in a move to protect the public's health. District 3 County Commissioner Gene Pinkerton last month asked the board to consider such an ordinance. He also told commissioners last week that he had asked the health board to explore the issue. McDonald, whose supervisor's position was eliminated by county commissioners in June, has rejoined the department as an environmental health specialist. Two health specialists later resigned from the depart ment following the county budget cuts. On a 3-2 vote. McDonald's position was eliminated, leaving the 10 year veteran of the department without a job. Health Director Michael Rhodes on Monday also congratulated Mary McCarley of Long Beach, who has been certified by the state as a registered health specialist, trained to make on-site soil evaluations. Presently, the department has a backlog of 184 applications for on site soil tests for new scptic systems, said John Crowder, environmental health supervisor. Of those applicants, 44 have been waiting four weeks or longer, he said. PEOPLE IN THE NFWS Local Students Receive Honors Seven Brunswick Count) resi dents received academic honors during the summer quarter at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington. Five local students were named to the president's list for earning straight A's. They arc Ruby S. Casanova of Winnabow, Eileen T. Ericksen of Ocean Isle Beach, Ivcy A. Hollis and Milch R. Lanier of Leland, and Alan M. Shirley of Southport. Students named to the dean's list for earning a grade point average of 3.5 or better with no grade below C were Angela D. Butler of Leland and Lindcll Randolph Jr. of Bolivia. Completes Training U.S. Navy Fireman Apprentice Billy D. Inman recently completed training at Recruit Training Com mand. Naval Training Center, San Diego. He is the son of Shelion D. and Martha A. Inman of Route 2, Ash, and is a 198X graduate of West Brunswick High School in Shallotte. He joined the Navy in March 1991. Peedin Is Promoted U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. John R. Peedin has been promoted to his pre sent rank while serving with 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif. The son of Darine S. and John R. Peedin Sr. of Long Beach, the for mer Smithfield resident joined the Marine Corps in September 1990. Arrives For Duty Air Force Airman Christine T. C'.iClon, an apprentice personnel specialist, has arrived for duty at Grissom Air Force Base, Ind. She is die daughter of William T. and Janice Curelon of Boiling Spring Lakes and is a 19X9 graduate ol South Brunswick High School. Rural Areas Face Expensive Water Projects BY TERRY POPK Rural communiiics that have gone shopping for county water re cently arc finding few bargains. "A lot of them want the water, they just don't like the method," said Jerry Webb, Brunswick County Public Utilities director. "They don't wain to pay for it." The remaining communities that can be served from the county's r.x isting water lines arc not as heavily populated as previous Special As sessment Districts (SADs). The fewer the homes served in an SAD, the higher the cost for cach home. SADs are areas where properly owners arc assessed the cost of ex tending water lines from main dis tribution lines into adjoining neigh borhoods. About 2(H) people attended a community meeting held Friday to discuss the next round of SADs, planned for five communities from Bolivia to Winnabow. About 650 residents had been invited, said Webb. The majority in attendance said they were against the SADs, he said. If some communities decide they do not want county water, the cost will continue to increase for those who do. "We'd like to do it as one pro ject," said Webb. "II some choose they do not want the water, it wouldn't be cost effective for us to go into those other areas." The Brunswick County Utility Operations Board voted Monday to ask county commissioners to set a public hearing on SAD 19, to deter mine if residents there still want water. That SAD will include Green Hill Road, Cherry Tree Road, Crabapple Road, Governor's Road, Zion Church Road, Town Creek Road, Old Town Creek Road, Maco Road to Oak View Estates. Snowfield Road and Goodland Drive. These Winnabow and Town Creek com munities can tap onto the main line on U.S. 17. Approximately 572 parcels of land can be served in this SAD, said Webb. Residents who oppose the project say they don't understand why it wasn't funded through revenue bonds and why residents on the main distribution line on U.S. 17 were not assessed. "Those issues conic up at every meeting," said Webb. "There may be a time when customers on U.S. 17 will get a bill. It's being dis cussed." UOB Attorney Michael Ramos advised that a public hearing should Ik- held lor each SAD, rather than a single hearing for all of die areas now under discussion. UOB mem bers appeared hesitant over which area to take to a hearing first before deciding on the Town Creek and Winnabow community. Also included in the next round of SADs are I'iney Grove Road, Kando!|?liviHc Road, Alternative School Road and Mill Cieek Road, near Bolivia. Preliminary cost estimates were given before combining areas into one or two SADs to help cut costs. Those estimates ranged from $2,335 per home at Oak View Estates to $1,879 per home along Town Creek and /.ion Church roads. The Governor's Road projeel would cost ail estimated S3, 495 per home, based on those early figures. Shell Point resident Bob Black, who has gathered petitions in his community from people who want county water, has asked the board if Farmers Home Administration (FmllA) loans arc not available lor such projects. A S998,()00 FmllA grant was awarded to a tri-county area near Dillon, S.C.. in July, Black said, to expand the regional water system there. "The money's out there," said Black. "Perhaps someone should look into these grants." The county's median income lev el is too high to qualify, said Webb. "We've been told in the past that Brunswick County could not meet the requirements," said Webb. "I know Farmer's Home has been looked into before." Shell Point's median income isn't typical of the county's. Black said. Thai area cannot become a SAD until a main line is extended there through a capital improvements project. "Civictown is not an affluent area," he added. UOB member Robert Nubel said he is concerned about the smaller SADs that are now under considera tion. "Petitions arc fine," Nubel said, "but keep in mind what the mandate is ? to serve the maximum number of people." If the smaller SADs and oilier communities do not join forces in favor of water, then all areas will hurt, he said. "Once some arc eliminated," said Nubel, "the cost skyrockets." In other business Monday, the UOB: ?Voted to recommend that A.D. McLamb and Son Construction Co. of Thomasboro receive the contract for installing water lines in SAD 12 at a cost of S24 1,473. SAD 12 is a collcction of 10 subdivisions be tween Occan Isle and Calabash. The board will ask county commission ers to give Carmichael Construction Co. a contract for providing service taps, at a cost of SI 03,900. Both were low figures from four compa nies that submitted bids. Development, Inc. Sewage Disposal & Water ?Consulting/Permit Application* ?Designs/Plans/Installation* ?Conventional Septic Tanks/ LPP Systems* ?Drainage Plans/Fill Dirt Plans* ?Maintenance Agreements* ?Water Line Installations* Site Preparation & Paving ?Clearing* *Chipping* ?Fill Dirt* -Grading* ?Sock Tile Installation* ?Minor Paving* ?Home Driveways* ?Parking Lots* NORTH CAROLINA MM? Ricky Parker - Owner 4 842-4003 Monday-Friday 9-5, Saturday by appointment only Hwy. 130, Holden Beach Rd., 41A miles from Shallotte member THE CAPE FEAR SOUTH BRUNSWICK ISLANDS MKDICAL PARK FOOT CENFER "wy. 17 south and UNION PRIMARY SCHOOL ?OAD Professional, Thorough and Gentle Foot Care ?Heel Pain / I !eel Spur 'Running / Sports Injuries / Broken Bones ?Bunions, Corns, Calluses *Diabetie Foot Care / Nail Care ?W;irts, Ingrown Nails 'Alternatives to Surgery ?In-Office Surgery ? Insurance Forms Filed For You 'Most Insurances Accepted ?lilue C'oss C ostwise Provider * Medicare Assignment Accepted Dr. (ire gory Young, I)PM By Appointment Only 579-0828 Medical & Surgical Specialist of the Foot and Ankle CI >11 THf. WUN-V?LK BFACO The Shallotte Electric Stores Three great stores serving all facets of our growing area from contractors to the general public. "Leaders In progress for the South Brunswick Islands" MILLIKEN'S HOME CENTER ? J Eliminate Smelly Water With Our Chemical Injection Feed Pumps & Accelerator Why Lease When You Can Own Your Own? LANCASTER WATER Conditioning Systems ?Helps save on repairs and water heating cost ? '24.000 Grain, fully automatic ? Tastes Great! *PJ&A Plumbing-Authorized Dealers models in stock FREE WATER ANALYSIS SAVE on 80 lb. Bag Salt Only $579 TJ.r IT VTJJM-ll I'lian m ? ? Large selection lamp shades S9.99 each in
The Brunswick Beacon (Shallotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 12, 1991, edition 1
6
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