Sunset Beach Taxpayers Association

                                        SBTA Membership Meeting

                                                 Meeting Minutes

                                                  August 31, 2024

 

 

Opening

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The Labor Day weekend Saturday membership meeting of Sunset Beach Taxpayers Association was called to order at 10:30 am on August 31, 2024 at the Sunset Beach Community Center, 200 Station Trail, Sunset Beach.

Attendance

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Board members present:  Mark Cramer, Tom Barker, Bruce Hovermale, John Wells, Mac Nelson 

Absent:  Ken Sekley, Nina Marable

 

Attendance:  20

 

Presentations & Discussion

 

Mark Cramer opened the meeting with a welcome, introduction of board members, and members present introduced themselves.

 

The members present voted to approve minutes of the March 30, 2024 Easter Saturday membership meeting.

 

Mark Cramer reviewed his newsletter article, Observations on the Town of Sunset Beach’s FY 24-25 Budget. During the discussion following, John Corbett, a Town Council member and SBTA member, noted that Council had received no citizen input on the budget and also noted that the budget is basically established by March each year with the subsequent meetings for final reviews. He noted that walkway replacement costs, paving costs, and other items had greatly increased. The Council was adamant about not raising tax rate and had to make tough choices. He noted the competitive aspects of pay for Town employees. The junior employees are more likely to change jobs for a relatively small increase.The Council is currently reviewing the salary structure, pay ranges, etc. It was also noted that the Town provides fire support outside Town limits in the ETJ. Rates are set by the County. The Town does not normally provide police services outside Town limits except when requested under a mutual support agreement with the County Sheriffs Department.

 

John Wells reviewed the Palm Cove Dredging Application status. Palm Cove HOA is requesting a state grant to dredge a navigational channel adjacent to the western border of Palm Cove to Tubbs Inlet. As private entities cannot apply, the Town is supporting a grant application at PCHOA’s cost. The project should qualify for State grant funding subject to permitting. Currently the engineering of the project is out for bid.

 

The Calabash Bridge replacement project is currently on schedule and looks good for early completion. There are financial incentives for the contractor to complete the work early.

 

Mac Nelson reviewed his article on problems that have been observed with increased golf cart usage on the island. The Board asked the members for input on the problems. John Corbett noted that when one sees a problem, report it immediately to the police.One can also take a photo and send it to Chief Klamar with a cc: to Lisa Anglin to get attention. He noted that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. John also noted that neither the cart rental companies nor accommodation rentals agencies provide information on the rules specific to golf cart use on public roads. This might be an area where SBTA could assist. He suggested partnering with Sunset Vision.

 

Tom Barker reviewed the Angel’s Trace proposed development. The Town Council and developer have approved annexing the development into the Town limits. The final approval will need to come from the State Legislature. John Corbett noted that the Jaguar’s Lair long running dispute with the developer regarding completion of the infrastructure for that development has been settled and the bond cancelled.

 

John Wells reviewed the situation with algae growth in the Twin Lakes and some of the proposed solutions. It was noted that drought in the past few years has made the growth worse.

 

Bruce Hovermale reviewed the several new other news items such as the three new Town staff, the Pedestrian/Cycling Path, the Town Park Parking Project, and the Majestic Oak Park plan. Bruce noted that since the newsletter was issued, the Town was notified that it will receive the $500,000 NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Grant from the State that was applied for.

 

The Board thanked John Corbett for his attendance at the meeting and for providing insights into the issues raised.

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Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 12 noon.  

Minutes submitted by:     Bruce Hovermale, secretary