06 – Town Meeting

Lou’s Views

“Unofficial” Minutes & Comments

BOC’s Special Meeting 06/03/25

Board of Commissioners’ Agenda Packet » click here

Audio Recording » click here 

1. Budget Workshop

2. Request for Exceptional Performance Merit Bonuses for Employees Directly Involved in Completing the Components of the ADA Agreement – Interim Town Manager Ferguson (Commissioners Smith and Paarfus)

3. Closed Session Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(6), To Consider the Qualifications of Prospective Employees

Previously reported – May 2025
Update on Town Manager Recruitment Process from S. Renee Narloch – Town Clerk Finnell (Interim Town Manager Ferguson)

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Update on Town Manager Recruitment Process with S. Renee Narloch

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Renee Narloch will attend via conference call to provide an update to the Board on the status of the town manager recruitment process and will answer questions on the process moving forward.

Renee via conference call provided an update on the Town Manager recruitment process. They have received forty-five (45) applications and are in the process of reviewing them. The Board agreed to schedule a Special Meeting/Executive Session on June 3^rd at which time Renee will make recommendations of candidates to the Board. At that meeting they will review the candidates and then come to a consensus in order to narrow the field to just three (3) to five (5) candidates. On June 16^th after the Budget Meeting, they will interview candidates for the position.

BOC’s Special Meeting 06/16/25

Board of Commissioners’ Agenda Packet » click here

Audio Recording » click here 

1. Closed Session Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(6), To Consider the Qualifications of Prospective Employees and North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3), Consult with the Attorney

Previously reported – May 2025
On June 16^th after the Budget Meeting, they will interview candidates for the position.

BOC’s Public Hearing / Regular Meeting 06/17/25

Board of Commissioners’ Agenda Packet click here

Audio Recording » click here 

Public Hearing 

PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 – 2026

 Budget Message » click here

THB Newsletter (05/27/25)
TOWN OF HOLDEN BEACH OFFICIAL NOTICE
FY – 2025/2026 BUDGET
June 17, 2025, 5:00 p.m. or shortly thereafter

Notice is hereby given that the Budget proposed for the Fiscal Year, beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026, has been submitted to the Board of Commissioners and is available for public inspection online. Click here to view the Budget Message.

A public hearing on the proposed Budget will be held by the Board of Commissioners at 5:00 p.m. or shortly thereafter on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 in the Holden Beach Town Hall Public Assembly, 110 Rothschild Street. Oral and written comments will be received at the hearing from any interested person.

The Town of Holden Beach does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you need an auxiliary aid or service or other accommodation in order to attend or fully participate at this meeting, please contact the Town Hall as far in advance of the meeting as is possible so that your request may be considered.

Proposed Budget by Fund

                                                           2022                  2023               2024                2025
General                                       $4,326,093        $5,169,737    $4,736,246     $4,802,398
Water & Sewer                          $7,483,258        $8,007,682    $7,665,209     $2,873,651
W&S Capital Charge                 NA                     NA                  $1,482,145     $1,352,662
BPART                                          $4,935,100       $6,274,144     $6,239,679     $5,757,489
Canal Dredging                           $3,289,057      $3,370,912     $3,553,603     $4,889,843
American Recovery Plan          $211,616         NA                   NA                  NA
FEMA Capital Projects Fund    $73,644,019    $73,644,019   NA                  NA
Water Capital Reserve Fund    $151,051         $212,571        $244,674        $303,056
Sewer Capital Reserve Fund    $301,543         $358,063        $579,461        $675,440
Beach & Inlet Reserve Fund     $2,247,002      $1,375,110    $1,744,053     $6,507,152
Capital Project                             NA                   NA                  NA                   $4,581,336
Total All Funds                            $96,588,739   $98,412,238   $26,245,070   $31,743,027

                                                       $22,924,720   $24,768,219   $26,245,070   $27,161,691    

2022 / $96,588,739 – $73,664,019 = $22,924,720
2023 / $98,412,238 – $73,664,019 = $24,768,219
2024 / $26,245,070                          = $26,245,070
2025 / $31,743,027 – $4,581,336    = $27,161,691

The General Fund budget serves to fund daily and long-term operations and infrastructure of the town. This includes administration, police department, building and inspections as well as sanitation and streets.

The Water and Sewer Fund is an Enterprise (business type) fund that finances the daily administration and operations of the water and sewer department.

The Beach, Parks, Access and Recreation Tourism Fund (BPART) is a special revenue fund enabled by local legislation for the purpose of providing for beach nourishment and tourism related expenses.

The Canal Dredging Fund is also a special revenue fund authorized by local legislation. Its purpose is to maintain navigability of the islands’ twenty-five thousand linear feet of canals

The American Rescue Plan Fund accounts for federal appropriations associated with the Holden Beach portion of President Biden’s Coronavirus Relief package and are designated for storm water projects.

The FEMA Capital Projects Fund serves to provide pass through federal grant reimbursements for debt service on storm damage repairs performed during the winter of 2021/2022 along the central portion of the island’s beach

The Water Capital Reserve and the Sewer Capital Reserve Funds were established in accordance with the Water and Sewer System Development Fee Act of2017 as amended and will be used to fund capital improvements to the Town’s water /sewer infrastructure in the coming years.

The Beach Re-nourishment and Inlet Management Capital Reserve Fund provides funding for future year beach and inlet maintenance projects.

The Capital Project Fund/Sewer Lift Station Project Fund is required to be established by the grants that will remain open across budget years until the project is complete.

Executive Summary

The following document presents the proposed annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026, in accordance with the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. The document shows a balanced budget that totals $31,743,027. It is meant to serve the public in understanding the Town’s spending plan for next fiscal year and the process by which it was developed.

With the family beach moniker, the Town prides itself on proposing and adopting an annual budget that provides services for all those who enjoy the beautiful island, both resident and visitor alike. Budget preparation each year involves evaluation and analysis of existing services and identification of cost-effective ways to improve or broaden them. Department heads supply revenue and expenditure input which is evaluated by the finance officer and manager and refined to try to balance resources. The following is a culmination of what has been expressed in previous budget discussions and updates provided to staff from outside entities since that time.

Main Points

The total budget is $31,743,027 and provides for the following initiatives to improve or maintain service delivery.

• • Proposed tax rate is fourteen cents: no change from prior year
  • Satisfies all debt service and capital obligations
  • Continuation of Lift Station 2 Upfit
  • Initiation of stormwater design/permitting
  • Initiation of police restructuring for recruitment and retention
  • Continuation of pier engineering evaluation and initiation of next level design work
  • Implementation of cooling solution for Lift Station1/ventilation for Lift Station 4
  • Completion of Block Q restroom and parking
  • Continuation of annual streets resurfacing program
  • Phasing in new playground equipment
  • Construction of a new concert venue
  • Implementation of Lockwood Folly Inlet/AIWW Crossing Project
  • Significant transfers to the Beach and Inlet Capital Reserve Fund
  • $3. 90 increase in base rate for sewer/ elimination of free gallons
  • Additional certification pursuits for personnel
  • 5% Cola/2.5% merit for personnel

The proposed budget sets forth four main governmental funds (General; Water & Sewer; Beach, Parks, Access, and Recreation Tourism (BPART); and Canal Dredging).

Additionally, it outlines three Capital Reserve Funds and one Capital Project Fund. Each fund is represented in the following pages with detailed revenues and expenditures proposed for the upcoming fiscal year.

Update –
The Board is required to hold a Public Hearing prior to adopting the budget. The $31.7 million dollar budget as presented reflects budget meeting dialogues, is balanced as required by the Local Government Budget & Fiscal Control Act, and is scheduled to be considered by the BOC’s later on tonight’s agenda. The public was given an opportunity to comment but there were no comments made.

Holden Beach maintains tax rate, awards bonuses in proposed budget
The town of Holden Beach has set a public hearing date of June 17 at 5 p.m. for its proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, which will keep the property tax rate at $.14 per $100 value and increase the base rate for water and sewer usage by $3.90. The Holden Beach Board of Commissioners made revisions to the $31,743,027 budget during its June 3 special meeting, including a unanimous motion to give out $5,000 worth of bonuses to the staff who were directly involved in the recent completion of the town’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) agreement. “The budget priorities are high quality infrastructure, community improvements, accessibility, communications and growing human capital,” Interim Town Manager Christy Ferguson said during the June 3 meeting. “Challenges that we see are unknown assistance from other levels of government going forward, and inflation.” The proposed FY 25-26 budget includes, among other expenditures, the construction of a concert venue, funding for pier property planning and a 2.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for town employees. The town’s general fund revenue for the next fiscal year is projected to match general fund expenditures at $4,802,398, which is $62,485 more than in the fiscal year 2024-2025. Of that revenue, $3,335,278 is projected to come from ad valorem (property) taxes, a $646 decrease from the FY 24-25 budget. The largest chunk of the town’s general fund expenditures, $1,559,672, is for the police department, which will undergo a restructuring initiative to improve recruitment and retention. Police Chief Jeremy Dixon gave an update on this process during the May 20 board meeting. “We increased the training budget,” Dixon said, “and the training budget is going to cover the fitness programs as well as books, uniforms, things like that.” The town is projected to spend $185,000 on professional services in FY 25-26 — $65,000 more than the $120,000 it spent on professional services in FY 24-25. This expenditure includes the bond attorney and financial advisor that the town recently hired for assistance in creating a pier referendum, which is projected to cost between $25,000 and $30,000. The proposed budget also includes a transfer of $100,000 to the town’s beach renourishment fund. Last fiscal year, the town transferred $126,988 to that fund. Planning and inspections department expenditures are projected to be $508,486, which increased $44,732 from last fiscal year’s total of $463,754. This is due to incentive increases for reaching required training certificate levels, the budget message states. Public works, streets, building and grounds expenditures are expected to total $883,503 in FY 25-26, a $353,450 jump from the projected FY 24-25 amount of $530,053. The increase is primarily to cover the cost of $300,000 worth of engineering designs and permitting for a phased stormwater initiative. Sanitation expenses are projected to cost $236,842 in FY 25-26, which is $21,356 more than FY 24-25’s projected cost of $215,486. Beach, parks, access and recreation tourism (BPART) fund revenues, designated for beach preservation and tourism related expenses, are projected to match expenditures at $5,757,489. The projected FY 25-26 BPART revenue is $482,190 less than last fiscal year’s total of $6,239,679. The largest component of the projected BPART fund revenue is $4,050,000 from accommodation tax, roughly the same amount as in FY 24-25. The total parking revenue estimate for FY 25-26 is $916,255. Revenue generated from paid parking goes into the BPART fund. The town is projected to spend $314,024 in FY 25-26 to maintain the pier property and make debt payments on the property’s purchase. Pier parking revenue will generate $128,275 for the town and rent from the pier’s six camping sites is projected to make $22,000. During FY 25-26, BPART is projected to fund capital projects including the construction of a concert venue on Block Q and design and engineering services for the pier project. It also includes a $600,000 transfer to the beach and inlet capital reserve fund.

Water and sewer
The base rate for monthly water usage will increase from $22.72 in FY 24-25 to $26.62 in FY 25-26. The base rate for wastewater will increase from $16.10 to $20. Additionally, the town will end its practice of not charging for the first 2,000 gallons of water and wastewater used monthly by residential, business and commercial customers. The town will not change its rates for metered water usage. A household that typically uses an amount between 2,001 and 6,000 gallons of water per month, for example, will pay $14.86 more per month for that amount of water in FY 25-26 compared to the last fiscal year. This calculation is based on the town’s fee schedule, updated Dec. 17, 2024, and accounts for the $3.90 base rate increase, as well as the first 2,000 gallons of water, which cost $5.46 per thousand gallons. A household that produces between 2,001 and 6,000 gallons of wastewater per month in FY 25-26 will pay an additional $18.80 compared to what it paid for the same amount of wastewater FY 24-25. This includes the $3.90 base rate increase and $14.90 for the first 2,000 gallons, which cost $7.45 per thousand gallons.

ADA agreement completion, employee bonuses
During the May 20 Board of Commissioners meeting, the board approved an ADA completion agreement that marked the end of a two-year process focused on improving beach accessibility. Consequently, during the June 3 budget workshop, the board unanimously agreed to budget $5,000 total in bonuses for the staff who completed the work. The town of Holden Beach entered the Key Bridge Foundation Americans with Disabilities Act mediation agreement with resident Martha Myers in April 2023. Myers attended the May 20 board meeting to give her final comments. “My hope is that other area beach towns, on their own, will take a close look at their facilities, programs and services with regard to accessibility,” Myers said, “and maybe even learn from Holden Beach.” To complete its obligations in the agreement, the town replaced sidewalks, installed slip resistant surfaces, installed accessible paths to the beach and ensured access to restrooms, among other actions, the agreement notes. “It took a whole lot more work than I think it was really anticipated to start with,” Commissioner Rick Smith said during the budget workshop, “and I think that our staff went above and beyond what was actually required.” The town spent more than $727,000 of BPART funding in the last two years to meet the ADA requirements, Ferguson said. Planning and Inspections Director Tim Evans served as the ADA compliance specialist during the process. “[The staff] got them done by the deadline for the ADA agreement,” Commissioner Rick Paarfus said. “Not often you get multiple projects going and you cross the finish line in perfect timing, so that’s a big deal.” This story does not cover every aspect of the proposed budget. The full budget is available for viewing at town hall.
Read more » click here

Regular Meeting

1.   Conflict of Interest Check

2024 Rules of Procedure for the Holden Beach Board of Commissioners
(e) Conflict Check. Immediately after the approval of the agenda, the Presiding Officer shall poll each member to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. In the event that a potential conflict is disclosed, the members will vote on a motion to allow or excuse that member with respect to the agenda item. If excused, the member may not participate in any discussion, debate, or vote with respect to the agenda item.

The Board was polled by Heather our Town Clerk. All of them declared that there was no conflict of interest with any agenda item at this meeting. 

2.   Consideration and Possible Action on HDR Report – Interim Town Manager Ferguson, Will Fuller and Bill Kincannon, HDR

Agenda Packet – pages 12 – 13

HDR Report » click here

HDR is unable to provide the cost estimate for demolition of the current pier and construction of a new pier until Friday, which is past the agenda’s deadline. A supplement to the agenda will be sent out once staff receives the information. The cost estimate will affect the supporting information for agenda items 8 &9.

ISSUE/ ACTION REQUESTED:
Consideration and possible action on HDR report.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
HDR will deliver a cost estimate for demolition of the current pier and construction of a new pier.

Following the completion of preliminary structural design and an initial constructability review, HDR recommends a Not-To-Exceed (NTE) construction cost for the Town’s fishing pier at $7,300,000. This amount reflects the demolition of the existing structure, material and labor for the proposed pier structure, the material and labor for the most conservatively priced construction methodology, and a 25% contingency factor.

Previously reported – May 2025
Discussion and Possible Action on Securing Bond Counsel and a Financial Advisor for a Possible Referendum – Scott Leo, Parker Poe & Andrew Carter, DEC Associates (Interim Town Manager Ferguson)

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Discussion and possible action on securing bond counsel and a financial advisor for a possible referendum.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Following discussions in the budget workshops about potentially moving forward with a referendum for the pier rebuild, staff coordinated with our bond counsel and financial advisor. Bond counsel will be present to lead you through what would be involved in this process.

Bond Attorney and Financial Advisor Services
At the April meeting and at a subsequent budget workshop, there was a reference to a possible referendum regarding the pier. At the budget workshop, I stated I had  been  in contact  with our financial advisor and bond attorney and there was a lengthier process involved than what had been discussed. Scott Leo, with Parker Poe, has prepared an engagement letter and  included  sample calendars with required actions for board  consideration of entering this process.  He will  be available to answer questions.

Town of Holden Beach, North Carolina General Obligation Referendum
(Pier Project)

Scope of Engagement.
Our understanding is that the Town is considering holding a general obligation bond referendum for the authorization of the Bonds in either 2025 or 2026. As bond counsel, the Firm will provide certain legal services for the Bonds related to referendum process. Specifically, our services include:

• • participation in meetings with Town staff and the Town Board of Commissioners, as required;
  • preparation of various resolutions, bond orders and public hearing notices relating to the authorization of the referendum on the question as to whether to approve the issuance of the Bonds; and
  • participation with the Local Government Commission in the approval of the Bonds;

If the voters of the Town approve the Bonds at the referendum and the Town proceeds to  Issue the Bonds, the Town and the Firm will determine at that time the services to be rendered related to the issuance of the Bonds.

I would expect that the total costs for the referendum process would range from $25,000 to $30,000

DEC Associates Inc is a financial advisory firm based in Charlotte, NC, specializing in providing worry-free and fast digital or printed financial document services. With a commitment to accessibility, they offer 24/7 support to their clients, ensuring efficient handling of their financial needs.

 As experts in their field, DEC Associates Inc assists clients in various financial matters, including the issuance of special obligation bonds. They work closely with reputable institutions like BofA Merrill Lynch and Parker Poe Adams Bernstein LLP to provide comprehensive financial advice and support. With a team of experienced professionals, DEC Associates Inc is dedicated to delivering reliable and efficient financial solutions to their clients.

HDR Executive Summary » click here

In summary, the overall condition of the existing fishing pier was assessed to be in POOR condition and HOR recommends replacing the timber superstructure in its entirety. The pier approach (superstructure and substructure) will also be required to be replaced in its entirety to satisfy federal ADA requirements. The existing substructure has many structural deficiencies which would require extensive repairs and is currently at the end of its useful service life. This coupled with the fact that the recommended construction methods would be similar for both repair and replacement options supports the conclusion that repairing the existing pier would not be structurally cost effective, nor would it provide the longevity or service life that results from replacing the timber fishing pier. Therefore, it is HDR’s recommendation that the Town of Holden Beach consider a pier replacement option only.

A presentation was made by Scott the Town’s bond counsel on a possible bond referendum to fund the pier project. He explained what a general bond obligation is, that is to  issue debt for a capital project. Since we signed over the land rights of the pier property for grant money we have no collateral to borrow against. That said, the only viable financing option is a general obligation bond. The key is that we are pledging the taxing power of the town. In order to do that the taxpayers must approve the pledging of that taxing power therefore the referendum on the general election November ballot. The main issue with a referendum is that a majority of property owners are not registered to vote here and will not be able to participate. Unfortunately, the referendum is the only option that meets statuary requirements.at is We will need to state what we are doing the bond for and for how much money. There are very specific protocols that spell out the required actions the Board will need to take. He proceeded to walk them through the proposed calendar that they would need to adhere to.  The statute tells us the prescribed language that is required to be put on the ballot. If the referendum is approved by the voters, the bond order will then need approval from North Carolina’s Local Government Commission. When the Town was pursuing the purchase of the pier property in 2022 we were told not come back and ask for more money for the pier and we told them that we wouldn’t but now we are going to have to ask for additional funding approval .  The LGC typically tend to defer to the voters will. Voter-approved General Obligation bonds are pretty much the only viable way for us to get approval from the LGC to borrow money for funding a new pier. The town retains flexibility, as it is not obligated to issue bonds even if the referendum passes, and additional funding sources can supplement the pier project. We knew that paying for the pier was going to be challenging, if we want to move forward with a building a new pier this is what we have to do. Commissioner Thomas made a motion to secure bond counsel and a financial advisor and possible referendum for a pier rebuild and to move ahead with the second schedule in the agenda packet.

A decision was made – Approved (3-2)
Commissioners Smith and Dyer opposed the motion

Update –
The projected construction cost not-to-exceed number of $7.3 million dollars is with the most conservatively priced construction methodology. That is the ceiling that we are planning on going to move forward with for the construction of the pier. The Board by consensus accepted the report.

Holden Beach plans referendum to decide pier project’s future
The Holden Beach Board of Commissioners is planning to hold a referendum in November to let voters decide if they are willing to pledge their tax dollars to fund the cost of a new pier. During its May 20 meeting, the board voted 3-2 to secure the services of a bond counsel and financial advisor. The board may now move forward in the process of creating a bond order and referendum to fund the pier. “If we want a pier, we’re going to have to build a new one,” Commissioner Tracey Thomas said. “The only way we can do that is to take on debt.” Partner Scott Leo from the Parker Poe law firm in Charlotte attended the meeting to give an overview of the process and answer commissioners’ questions. He estimated the firm’s legal fees up to the date of the election will cost the town between $25,000 and $30,000. DEC Associates’ Director Andrew Carter, who attended the meeting remotely, said it will cost about $10,000 for financial advising. If the referendum is approved, there will be additional fees for further counsel and advising. Earlier this year, the board hired an engineering firm to assess the condition of the existing pier, which recommended that the pier be demolished and fully reconstructed. The firm, HDC Engineering, will provide an estimate of reconstruction costs prior to June 17, Interim Town Manager Christy Ferguson said. After receiving the estimated costs, the board will choose an amount for the general obligation bond. It must add a level of contingency funding to the estimate to determine the maximum principal balance of the bonds, which must be included on the ballot, Leo said. “I think paying for the pier is going to be challenging,” Commissioner Rick Paarfus said. “I mean, we’re probably going to have to borrow some money, and I think the bond route may be the most likely successful route.” The board will consult with Carter to determine how the town will fund the bonds. Discussions will include whether the bonds will require a tax increase, Carter said, as that information is legally required to be included on the ballot. If additional funding sources for the pier arise, the board can use those sources. Additionally, the town is not obligated to issue the bonds if approved, Leo said. “So basically, if we get this approved,” Paarfus said, “it becomes a financial tool we could deploy. We don’t have to. In other words, we can still go seek grants or other ways to fund this project.” When a town issues a general obligation bond, it pledges the full faith and credit of the taxing power of the town. The citizens must approve the pledging of that taxing power, hence the referendum. If approved, the board will have seven years to issue the bonds, Leo said. “You’re asking the voters, do you approve this bond order and authorize the town to issue up to this amount of bonds for this purpose?” Leo said. After deciding on a maximum principal amount and purpose for the bond order, the board must set and hold a public hearing. It may hold more than one, but North Carolina statute requires at least one. The draft calendar Leo presented at the board meeting set the hearing for Aug. 19. At the end of the future public hearing, the board will adopt the bond order and a resolution to set the referendum. Commissioners will then no longer be allowed to increase the amount of the bond, but it may decrease it, Leo said. Commissioner Rick Smith expressed concern about how the referendum would be received by the citizens. He recalled that when the town initially bought the pier, citizens warned the board not to come back around asking to borrow money. “At that time, we said, ‘Well, we’re going to start paid parking on the island, and that’s how we’re planning to finance it,’ ” Smith said. Smith and Commissioner Page Dyer voted against the motion to move forward with the bond counsel and financial advisor. Commissioner Tom Myers, Paarfus and Thomas voted for it. Myers called the motion a “no-regrets action,” stating that if the town moves forward with constructing the pier, it is an essential step. Dyer brought up the large portion of taxpayers who are not able to vote in Holden Beach and wanted to make sure that their input will be taken into consideration. “With the majority of people that might see a tax increase not being able to vote, certainly their information is going to have to be considered at a public hearing because they can’t vote,” Dyer said. If the referendum is approved by the voters, the bond order will then need approval from North Carolina’s Local Government Commission.
Read more » click here

3.   Review and Undertake Required Initial Board Actions to Pursue a 2025 General Obligation Referendum – Interim Town Manager Ferguson, Scott Leo, Parker Poe & Andrew Carter, DEC Associates
a. Resolution 25-03, Resolution Directing the Publication of Notice of Intention to Apply to the Local Government Commissioner for Approval of Bonds
b. Resolution 25-04 – Resolution Making Certain Statements of Fact Concerning Proposed Bond Issue and Authorizing the Application to the Local Government Commission

Agenda Packet – pages 12, 14 – 20

Resolution 25-03 » click here

Resolution 25-04 » click here 

HDR is unable to provide the cost estimate for demolition of the current pier and construction of a new pier until Friday, which is past the agenda’s deadline. A supplement to the agenda will be sent out once staff receives the information. The cost estimate will affect the supporting information for agenda items 8 &9.

ISSUE/ ACTION REQUESTED:
Review and undertake required initial board actions to pursue a 2025 GO Referendum.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
At the May meeting the board decided to pursue a GO Referendum regarding the pier. The following documents represent required actions to begin the process.

TOWN MANAGER,S RECOMMENDATION:
Consider approval of documents to move forward to the next steps in the process.

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE TOWN OF HOLDEN BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA  DIRECTING  THE  PUBLICATION  OF NOTICE OF INTENTION  TO APPLY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL OF BONDS

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners (the “Board”) of the Town of Holden Beach, North Carolina (the “Town”) is considering the issuance of general obligation bonds of the Town which shall be for the following purposes and in the following maximum amount:

$                           of bonds to finance the capital costs of the demolition and removal  of the existing pier and  construction of a new pier, including any improvements related thereto.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT  RESOLVED  by  the  Board  that  the  Town  Clerk  is  hereby  directed to cause a copy of the “NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL OF BONDS” to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL OF BONDS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intention of the Town of Holden Beach, North Carolina to file an application with the Local Government Commission, Raleigh, North Carolina for its approval of the issuance of general obligation bonds of the Town of Holden Beach, North Carolina which shall be for the following purposes and in the following maximum amounts:

$                           of bonds to finance the capital costs of the demolition and removal  of the existing pier and  construction of a new pier, including any improvements related thereto.

Any citizen or taxpayer of the Town of Holden Beach, North Carolina objecting to the issuance of any or all of said bonds, within seven (7) days after the date of publication of this notice, may file with the Local Government Commission, 3200 Atlantic Avenue, Longleaf Building, Raleigh, NC 27604, Attention: Deputy Secretary, and with the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Holden Beach, North Carolina, a written statement setting forth each objection to the proposed bond issue and such statement shall contain the name and address of the person filing it.

Update –
The $7.3 million is a not-to-exceed number, that number can always be lowered but can’t be raised without starting the process all over again. The referendum is the only option that meets statuary requirements. This is a tool that they may deploy to get the job done. The Local Government Commission (LGC) informed the town that at all of our public meetings that the item is discussed they must state that the new pier structure is not insurable for a storm event. (Why is this important? – because we will have to repay the bonds even if the pier is destroyed by a storm event) HDR is still working on developing a life cycle cost of maintenance for the next thirty (30) years. The motion was made to approve both resolutions and have the Town Manager execute the contract.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

The fate of a new Brunswick pier could fall on voters. Here’s what to know.
A Brunswick beach town is seeking funding for a new pier through a bond referendum. The town of Holden Beach has been making splashes toward constructing a new pier for residents and visitors. Without millions in the bank to spend on building a fishing pier, commissioners are hoping a bond referendum will fund the project.

Here’s a recap and update on what’s been happening.

A closed pier and demolished pier building
The wooden Holden Beach Pier at fishing pier at 441 Ocean Blvd. West has stood for nearly 70 years. With sea-beaten pilings and a host of safety issues, commissioners and residents have questioned the pier’s future since 2022, after the town purchased the pier and pier house property for around $3.3 million. The pier and pier house have since been closed to the public. Commissioners in March 2025 decided to demolish the pier building after being told the fishing pier structure is rotted and will require extensive, costly repairs in order to be saved. The building was demolished but the pier remains standing.

Concrete or wooden pier?
In March, town-hired engineers said the cheapest option will be to build a new pier and suggested the town save money by eliminating the option of repairing the pier. The engineers in April said a concrete pier would be the most expensive, costing 2-3 times of a wooden or hybrid pier, which is a wooden structure with concrete pilings. Despite cost differences, engineers told the board that Mother Nature could destroy both a wooden pier and concrete pier. The board opted to move forward with an engineering services contract for a new, full timber pier. The pier, if constructed, will have a T-structure on the end and extend out to 1,000 feet.

Process of a referendum
Scott Leo with Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, LLP, during the board’s May 15 meeting explained to the town what the process of a general obligation bond referendum looks like. The given schedule in the meeting packet sets the public hearing for the referendum on Aug. 19. Leo said the town could host additional public hearings if the board wishes. Commissioners can stop the referendum process anytime they want, Leo said. If commissioners continue to move forward, Holden Beach voters on Election Day will be given the opportunity to vote for the referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot. The ballot would include the bond amount, and any property tax increase associated with the bond. On Dec. 12, the board of commissioners will declare the results of the special bond referendum and adopt the bond resolution if the majority of voters vote in favor. Bond order approval from the Local Government Commission will be required and is estimated to be by March 2026, after the referendum results are declared.

Using bond funds to pay for new pier
The town, if the bond is issued and used, will use the funds to construct a new pier. The bond amount is an “up to amount,” Leo said, and does not have to be issued all at once or completely. “If the bonds are approved, you have seven years to issue those bonds,” said Leo, noting there is a process to extend the issue but unused bonds will expire. Other project funding opportunities available, such as grants, can also be used, he explained. Three out of five commissioners said they believe building a new pier requires the town to go into debt. However, commissioners Rick Smith and Page Dyer expressed discomfort with moving forward asking property taxpayers to support a bond referendum. The town approached the Local Government Commission when purchasing the pier property and, Smith said, the commission asked the town not to come back for a bond to build a new pier. Commissioners voted 3-2 to start the general obligations bond referendum process by securing bond council and a financial advisor for a possible bond referendum to build a new pier.
Read more » click here

4.   Discussion and Possible Action on Pursuing $2.2 Million in Environmental Infrastructure Funding through the Corps – Interim Town Manager Ferguson & Bob Kiestler, Corps

Agenda Packet – pages 21 – 48

Project Partnership Agreement » click here 

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Discussion and possible action on pursuing $2.2 million in Environmental Infrastructure funding through the Army Corps of Engineers.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Following Potential Tropical Cyclone 8, the Town was awarded environmental infrastructure disaster relief funding through Congress.  These funds flow directly to the Corps and through this program they would reimburse stormwater project costs up to 75%. Bob Keistler will be here to give some background on the program and discuss the Project Partnership Agreement (PPA). This funding is projected to fall over two fiscal years.

USACE Environmental Infrastructure Project
Following Potential Tropical Cyclone 8, the Town was awarded $2.2 million in environmental infrastructure funding for phasing projects from our approved stormwater master plan. The projects involve the 300 Block of Ocean Boulevard and the East End of Ave A and Mullet. When these appropriations are made through Congress, the money flows directly to the Corps and then they reimburse the Town up to 75% of the project costs. The Corps will be at the meeting to explain the program and what would be needed as far as the Project Partnership Agreement. The partnership is expected to operate over two fiscal years, with next fiscal year’s estimate being $300,000.

North Carolina Environmental Infrastructure Program
Section 5113 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007

Authorization allows the Corps of Engineers to conduct a program of environmental infrastructure improvements that provide design and construction assistance for the following range of activities:

 .  a. wastewater treatment and related facilities
 .  b. combined sewer overflow, water supply, storage, treatment, and related facilities
.   c. drinking water infrastructure including treatment and related facilities
.   d. environmental restoration
.   e. stormwater infrastructure
.   f. surface water resource  protection and development

Design and construction assistance can only be provided for publicly owned facilities. A partnership agreement for the conduct of design and construction assistance must be executed for each project initiated under this program. Federal cost sharing of the project costs is set at 75%, which could be provided in the form of grants or reimbursements of project costs to the non-Federal interests. Also, the Federal Government could provide the non-Federal interests partial credit for work performed before the partnership agreement was executed, and provide credit for lands, easements and rights-of way. The non-Federal interests must provide for all operation and maintenance costs of the project.
For more information » click here

Project Descriptions

Area 1 – 300 Block of Ocean Boulevard West

Several hundred feet of public ROW along Ocean Boulevard West (OBW), in an area referred to as the 300 Block, and Brunswick Avenue to the north, experience significant floodwater retention following storm events.

A dedicated right-of-way (ROW) at 317 Brunswick Avenue West, which connects OBW and Brunswick Avenue, is currently used as an unofficial vehicle and pedestrian access. This project would convert the ROW to a 2.5-foot-deep storage depression to hold runoff from both OBW and Brunswick Avenue.

Catch basins will be installed along the north side of OBW, including at the low point of the road, and at the intersection of High Point Street and Brunswick Avenue. As the catch basin at the low point of the road will be located within the ROW of OBW and not on the road itself, its rim elevation will sit above the lowest elevation of the road. The road would be elevated to encourage positive flow to the inlet and to avoid further road ponding.

Catch basins will be connected by 15″ High Performance Polypropylene pipes (HPPP), producing two different directions of flow: one, from the low point of the road, through the storage depression, and discharging at the outlet of the Brunswick Avenue channel, and the other from the low point of the road, down OBW and High Point Street. and discharging into the channel near the intersection of High Point Street and Brunswick Avenue.

In order to maintain a positive outfall within the proposed stormwater network, the Brunswick Avenue channel will be dropped approximately 1.5 feet between its outset and the inlet of the existing outlet pipe. The channel will be re-graded as needed while maintaining minimum side slopes of 3:1.

The existing culvert under Marker Fifty-Five Drive and the existing outlet pipe running along the east side of High Point St. will both be upsized to 18″ Reinforced Concrete Pipes (RCPs). The tide gate on the existing outlet pipe will be replaced.

Additional measures will include a second 1.5-foot-deep storage depression at 339 Brunswick Avenue, along with another dedicated ROW. This storage depression will be connected to the proposed stormwater network on OBW and discharge north into the Brunswick Avenue channel just before the Marker Fifty-Five Drive culvert.

Area 2 – East End of Mullet Street Area & East End of Avenue A

Public ROW along Ocean Boulevard East (QBE) on the east end of Holden Beach, between Ferry Road and Dunescape Drive, experiences frequent periods of standing water following rain events as runoff is transported through the existing stormwater network or infiltrates into the soil.

The proposed project involves upsizing the existing stormwater system such that a 2-year storm level of service is achieved in the section of OBE east of Mullet St. and the entire area sees a reduction in flood depths due to both 2-year and 10-year storms. Further reduction in flooding from the 10-year storm is to be realized by eliminating roadway flooding along OBE between Avenue A and Dunescape Drive.

The existing stormwater network along Ocean Boulevard East (OBE) west of Mullet Street will remain with individual pipe inverts dropped as needed to create positive drainage within the system. Existing pipes along OBE east of Mullet St. will be upsized to 24″ RCPs with the final of these pipes upsized to a 30″ RCP. In order to accommodate the burial of the new 24″ RCP, the existing channel at the upstream end of this pipe system will be dropped by -0.5 feet and re-graded as needed while maintaining a minimum side slope of 3:1.

Similarly, the existing pipe under Blockade Runner Drive will be upsized to an 18″ RCP with its downstream pipe that runs under QBE upsized to a 24″ RCP. All pipes along Mullet St. will be upsized to 30″ RCPs and a tide gate will be installed on the final outlet pipe. These appear to be the largest pipe sizes that can reasonably fit underneath the road while maintaining necessary clearance.

Additionally, three (3) 1-footdeep swales with 4:1 side slopes will be installed along the northern ROW of OBE between McCray Street and Dunescape Drive. 12″ HPPP culverts will be installed under roadways to connect the swales and tie them to the existing system.

Due to the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA), improvement options in this area are limited.

Update –
The Town was awarded $2.2M in Environmental Infrastructure Disaster Relief Funding for stormwater projects. To get started USACE requires the execution of the project partnership agreement. The Town portion of the 2.2 million dollar project is 25%, which would cost us $550,000. The motion was made to approve the project partnership agreement with the USACE and have the town staff execute the paperwork.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

5.   Police Report – Chief Jeremy Dixon

Agenda Packet – pages 49 – 54

Police Report » click here

Jeremy reviewed the actions that were taken by them last month

It’s the busy season on Holden Beach and
they are in full summertime mode

“The Season is Underway!”

Search ongoing for person swept away from rip current off Brunswick beach
A 23-year-old remains missing after strong currents caused trouble for some friends enjoying the beach at Holden Beach on Monday afternoon, June 16

.
Body of missing swimmer at Holden Beach recovered on Oak Island
The body of a missing swimmer from High Point, NC, was recovered Wednesday morning at a Brunswick County beach. According to a statement from the Holden Beach Police Department, the 23-year-old victim was found on the west end of Oak Island around 9:30 a.m. On Tuesday, WWAY spoke with Sarah Moxley and she identified the victim as her brother, Matthew Robert Bauer. She said he was swimming with two friends near the Lockwood Folly Inlet east of Holden Beach.  He was in the water when strong currents in the inlet got hold of Bauer and swept him away. Rescue crews from Holden Beach and Oak Island were dispatched to the area Monday evening and could be seen searching the area. The U.S. Coast Guard confirms they also responded to assist with the rescue search. On Tuesday, Moxley and other family members gathered at Holden Beach to learn more from authorities about the search for Bauer. She and her siblings walked on the beach where their brother was last seen Monday evening.
Read more » click here

Staffing –
Chris Thompson was moved from part-time status to full-time status

John Bajkowski was sworn in and is our newest officer

Conditional offer of employment initiated to Austin Bell  a graduating student of  BLET
• Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET)

Of the three officers that were on medical leave – one is back to work 

 Having the full complement of eleven (11) police officers seems to be an elusive goal.

What he did not say –

Public Service announcements

• • Remember that parking ordinances are strictly enforced, including pay-to-park requirements. Do not block the emergency beach accesses located on the far east end, at the pier, the 500 block or the 800 block. These accesses are for emergency response access, not temporary parking to unload passengers or beach equipment. Blocking accesses creates a life threatening time delay to emergency response.
  • The new bike lines are for bikes, not Low Speed Vehicles (LSV) and not for parking. Bicyclists under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet.
  • LSVs are still required to follow the same traffic laws as every other motor vehicle, including travel lane regulations and very importantly seatbelt and child restraint regulations.
  • Pets are required to be on a leash at all times when off of your property, and no pets are allowed on the beach strand from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Beach equipment must be removed daily and cannot be left overnight. Storage of beach equipment on the frontal dunes is also restricted. Items left unattended will be removed and discarded as trash.
  • Fireworks and pyrotechnics create a safety risk to the operator and bystanders as well as a fire hazard to the dune vegetation and houses. Fireworks are illegal on the island; possession of fireworks is a Class 2 misdemeanor which carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. If you light it, we write it.

If you know something, hear something, or see something –
call 911 and let the police deal with it.

A reminder of the Town’s beach strand ordinances:
…..1) Chapter 90 / Animals / §90.20 / Responsibilities of owners
…….a) pets are not allowed on the beach strand except between 5p.m. and 9a.m. daily
…….b) dog’s must be on a leash at all times
…….c) owner’s need to clean up after their animals
…..2) Chapter 94 / Beach regulations / §94.05 / Digging of holes on beach strand
…….a) digging holes greater than 12 inches deep without responsible person there
…….b) holes shall be filled in prior to leaving
…..3) Chapter 94 / Beach regulations / §94.06 / Placing obstructions on the beach strand
…….a) all unattended beach equipment must be removed daily by 6:00pm

For a full list of beach regulations visit  https://hbtownhall.com/visitors.

Low Speed Vehicle Safety » click here
Public Service Announcement from Chief Dixon regarding low speed vehicle safety.

Chief Dixon encourages everyone to download the app

NC Police Connect on the App Store

6.   Inspections Department Report – Inspections Director Evans

Agenda Packet – pages 55 – 57

Inspections Report » click here 

ACTIVE NEW HOME PERMITS                                                               = 27
OTHER ACTIVE PERMITS                                                                         = 535
PERMITS ISSUED OVER $30,000                                                             = 79
* AMOUNT INCLUDED IN ACTIVE TOTAL
PERMITS ISSUED OVER $100,000                                                           = 5
* AMOUNT INCLUDED IN ACTIVE TOTAL
PERMITS ISSUED SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS                            = 1
* AMOUNT INCLUDED IN ACTIVE TOTAL
PERMITS ISSUED WAITING PICK UP                                                     = 28
TOTAL PERMITS                                                                                         = 590

PERMITS IN REVIEW                                                                                = 10
CAMA ISSUED                                                                                             = 6
ZONING ISSUED                                                                                         = 15

PERMITS SERVICED FOR INSPECTIONS FROM 05/01 – 05/31            = 106
TOTAL INSPECTIONS MADE                                                                 = 236

Update –
Timbo briefly reviewed department activity last month, the department is staying busy. He encouraged all canal home owners to put house numbers on the back of their homes the same as oceanfront properties are required to do on the strand side of their homes. They continue to work on making some additional ADA improvements. He has been working with Tri-Beach Fire Department on a new fire station on the island.

7.   Finance Department Report – Finance Officer McRainey

Agenda Packet – pages 58 – 60

Finance Report » click here 

Update –
Daniel briefly reviewed the Finance Report 

8.  Town Manager Report – Interim Town Manager Ferguson 

Agenda Packet – pages 61 – 62

Town Manager Report » click here

Christy reviewed the Town Manager Report

Greensboro Street / Sewer Lift Station #2
Meeting to occur with engineer, contractor, and town staff on June 26^th
Fourth application for payment submitted to engineer for certification
State still lags in sending payments
Contractor given an additional seventy-two (72) days to complete the project
Construction schedule completion will now be around October

Previously reported – May 2025
Work is progressing, currently the project is about 62% complete
The State is lagging on reimbursements
The Federal Government now requires some  additional justification 

Previously reported – April 2025
Construction schedule anticipates completion in August
Buy America Build America waivers granted by EPA

Block Q Restrooms & Parking
They have some serious concerns about the work that is being done there
New project superintendent taking over

Previously reported – May 2025
The bathroom on Block Q is scheduled to be completed by August 20^th
There will be a Ground Breaking ceremony on June 4^th  at 10:00am

Previously reported – April 2025
Extension applied for with the state

Ocean Boulevard Stormwater
USACE will be present at June meeting to brief board on Environmental Infrastructure project partnership. Held a meeting with Division of Coastal Management (Wilmington) and our engineer regarding inquiry on permitting for additional areas of concern.

Previously reported – May 2025
USACE will attend the June meeting to brief the Board

Previously reported – April 2025
Staff met with the USACE regarding understanding timeline/scope of project funding

Previously reported – March 2025
Our lobbyist Ward and Smith met with the State regarding Federal funding for Ocean Blvd. stormwater issues.

Previously reported – February 2025
More to come on a Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) and the required Board Action to engage in the $2.2 million in federal funding.

Pier Site
Third meeting with staff and HDR was held June 11^th

Previously reported – May 2025
Second meeting with staff and HDR was held May 15^th

Previously reported – April 2025
Building was removed per last month’s bid award

THB Newsletter (04/15/25)
Work has been completed and the pier parking lot and walkways are now open.
Please be mindful not to stand or sit under the pier structure.

FEMA
No word yet as of the date of this report regarding what the advisory committee for FEMA recommended concerning Cat G beaches.

In a June 3^rd  meeting with Grayson Overholt from Senator Tillis’ office, I asked for any updates. He stated that Senator Tillis had submitted some reform recommendations including pulling FEMA out from under Homeland Security but those are still being considered at the federal level.

Previously reported – May 2025
Memo released from FEMA recommending that beaches should be removed from eligible disaster assistance. What that means is that beach nourishment will no longer be part of federal recovery efforts after storm events.

The state’s rainy-day fund is taking a hit from Hurricane Helene and legislators fear hurricane season impacts. Tourism industry suffered statewide after Helene because of misunderstanding about the status of the state.

States and Cities Fear a Disaster Season Full of Unknowns Amid Federal Cuts
President Trump’s efforts to downsize the government threaten essential functions that Americans have come to rely on before, during and after natural disasters. States and cities along ​the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are ​heading into hurricane season​ with an extraordinary level of uncertainty, unable to ​g​auge how significant cuts at vital federal agencies will affect weather forecasts, emergency response and long-term recovery. They are bracing for the likelihood that fewer meteorologists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will lead to less accurate forecasts, and that the loss of experienced managers at the Federal Emergency Management Agency will lead to less coordination and more inaction. Governors and mayors are also anticipating less financial aid, as the Trump administration shifts the burden of response and recovery away from the federal government. Exactly who will pay for what moving forward is a gaping question as disasters become bigger and costlier. “There’s no plan in writing for how FEMA intends to respond during this disaster season,” said Trina Sheets, the executive director of the National Emergency Management Association, which represents state emergency managers. “Things seem to be changing on a daily basis. But there’s no road map for states to follow or to be able to plan for.” The Department of Government Efficiency, the cost-cutting initiative led by Elon Musk, has left agencies that would normally be preparing for a run of extreme weather at this point in the year trying instead to find their footing after leadership changes and staffing cuts. FEMA has lost about a quarter of its full-time staff, including one-fifth of the coordinating officers who manage responses to large-scale disasters, according to a former senior official. Many of those employees made their own decision to leave. NOAA has lost about one-fifth of its staff, including hundreds of people from the National Weather Service. The thought of a shrunken FEMA — or eliminating the agency altogether, which President Trump has raised — is unnerving coastal residents like Trasi Sharp, of Sanibel Island, Fla. Her business, Over Easy Cafe, was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022. “To just get rid of it with no plan is frightening,” Ms. Sharp said of the agency. It took her 18 months to rebuild, and then she lost $60,000 worth of equipment in Hurricane Milton last year, after the low-lying restaurant took on two-and-a-half feet of water. She did not receive FEMA assistance to repair her restaurant or her home, but she said the agency’s debris removal services were essential to the island’s recovery. “It’s just such a confusing time,” she added. “We’re all on pins and needles this season.” The agency did not respond to requests for comment before this story was published online. In an email after publication, a spokesperson for FEMA said that it was “shifting from a bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens.” Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security secretary, whose department includes FEMA, said on Tuesday that the agency was prepared for hurricane season, which extends from June through November. Some of the other federal agencies involved in disaster response agreed, in responses to emailed questions. But the Army Corps of Engineers, which is often called on to help communities after storms, acknowledged that it did not know “the full impact that staff departures or other reductions will have.” The unknowns extend beyond hurricanes. States and cities in the West, going into peak wildfire season, say they are concerned about how much they will be able to lean on the federal government after the Trump administration reduced the ranks of United States Forest Service personnel who support frontline firefighters. The domino effect may be that more local firefighters are deployed to help other jurisdictions fight wildfires sooner and for longer — leaving fewer available back at home, Chief Leonard Johnson of the McLane Black Lake Fire Department near Olympia, Wash., said in a news conference this month. Several state officials in the West said all the uncertainty affirmed their decision to devote more resources to their own firefighting efforts in recent years. “We have made the effort to try to take our fate back,” said Stan Hilkey, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety. There is no historical comparison since no other administration has made such deep cuts to FEMA or other disaster-response agencies. In the recent past, the nightmare scenario came in 2017, when FEMA struggled to respond to three devastating hurricanes in quick succession — Harvey, Irma and Maria — as well as widespread wildfires in California. The agency came close to running out of staff to deploy. At the start of that year’s hurricane season, FEMA had 6,588 trained staff members available to deploy to disasters, according to agency records. As of Wednesday, it had 1,952. States with robust budgets and considerable experience with disasters, such as Texas and Florida, may be better suited to working with less federal help than less affluent, more rural states that have fewer funds to tap into. Climate change has not only made extreme weather more frequent and deadlier, but also more likely to hit where it rarely did before. Even some who believe that FEMA needs an overhaul have acknowledged that the speed and volume of the changes could make this disaster season bumpy. “We’re going to be massively transforming the response system while that response system has to be effectively responding,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, a Republican, said on Tuesday at the inaugural meeting of a Trump-appointed council that will make recommendations on FEMA’s future. Few question the need for improvements to the nation’s disjointed disaster response system, especially when it comes to long-term recovery. FEMA employees say they are often buried in months of paperwork. States and cities may submit a rebuilding proposal, only to find themselves caught in a lengthy back-and-forth after FEMA underestimates its price tag. Disaster victims often complain that FEMA takes too long, and offers too little, to be of real help. “They need to be revamped,” said Karen Small, 54, whose elevated home on Sanibel Island suffered damage during Hurricane Ian. That storm caused more deaths in Florida than any in almost 90 years. After her property insurance payout fell short, Ms. Small turned to FEMA to help cover some of her repairs. Agency officials insisted on meeting in person four times to review her application, while she was staying more than three hours away. In the end, she received $700, the standard amount that FEMA offers disaster victims. “That $700 covered my gas just to meet them,” she said. “It was almost an insult.” Yet few can fathom disaster recovery without the federal government. “My God where would this community be without FEMA?” said Nic Hunter, the outgoing mayor of Lake Charles, near the Louisiana coastline, who steered the city through Hurricane Laura in 2020. His city alone claimed more than $200 million after that storm and Hurricane Delta that year, he said. Had the federal government not stepped in, the city would have had to raise taxes and cut back services to make up the difference. “By and large, my experience with FEMA has been a positive one,” he said. FEMA is weighing whether to make it more difficult for states to qualify for financial assistance, and whether to reimburse state and local governments at a lower rate. The Trump administration wants states and cities to bear the brunt of the response and cost, saying they can be quicker and more effective. One possibility is to give states block grants to disburse as needed. “He wants us to be there in a time of need, but he wants the response to be led by those who know best,” Ms. Noem told the advisory council on Tuesday. She asked members to think of a new name for the restructured agency. In previous administrations, both Republican and Democratic, new presidents had appointed permanent, Senate-confirmed administrators of FEMA by the onset of hurricane season. Mr. Trump has not. The administration pushed out Cameron Hamilton, its first acting head, after he told lawmakers this month that the agency should not be eliminated. He was replaced by David Richardson, who has no emergency management background and on his first full day told FEMA employees during a town hall that if any of them tried to get in his way, “I will run right over you.” On Wednesday, Mr. Richardson told employees that he was rescinding the agency’s previous strategic plan. He added that a new plan would be developed “this summer,” according to a copy of the memo reviewed by The New York Times. When Arkansas was struck by tornadoes in March, FEMA surprised the state by initially denying its request to help victims cover housing, rental and other expenses. The federal government approved the request this month after Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican who served as press secretary during Mr. Trump’s first term, sent a personal appeal to the president. Mayor Cara Spencer of St. Louis pleaded for help after a tornado ripped through her city on Friday, killing at least five people and causing an estimated more than $1.6 billion in damage. “We’re going to run out of resources here pretty quickly,” she said in an interview, calling it a “classic” example of when the federal government needs to step in. Beyond concerns about funding, emergency managers fear that sharp cuts to federal weather forecasting may give them less precise information to make decisions on evacuations, shelters and positioning of aid materials. “Having an accurate forecast is one of the most critical pieces of information for effective warning and alerting of populations,” said David Merrick, who runs the emergency management and homeland security program at the Center for Disaster Risk Policy at Florida State University. NOAA did not respond to a request for comment. James Franklin, a meteorologist who retired in 2017 from the National Hurricane Center, which is part of the National Weather Service at NOAA, has seen administrations come and go and federal budgets grow and shrink. What is happening now, he said, is more alarming because it amounts to “hostility to gaining knowledge about how the atmosphere works and how to make forecasts better.” “We are largely giving up on the next 20 years of improvements that we could have had,” he said. “The best we can kind of hope for right now is that we stagnate in our abilities to keep people safe over the next couple of decades.”
Read more » click here

Employee Updates
John Bajkowski was sworn in on Wednesday, May 28^th as our newest officer.

Conditional offer of employment initiated to a graduating student of Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET). Best odds of starting service is July after confirmation of passing state exam. Austin Bell is the son of former Holden Beach Police Officer Shane Bell.

Brice Tripp will begin with the Public Works Department the week of June 9^th.

Utility Billing Services
Apparently they are having some issues with the transition. Christy requested and the Board by consensus agreed to waive any late payment penalties. 

THB Newsletter (06/18/25)
Utility Billing Services
Starting this month, June 2025, we have transitioned to outsourcing our utility billing services to help ensure faster and more efficient delivery moving forward. As this is our first month, we encountered a few unexpected delays. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition period. To ensure fairness, we will be waiving any late penalties for the month of June due to the delay. Going forward, you can expect to receive your utility bill in a timely manner.

Horseback Riders
The Town issued a press release on social media regarding the horseback riders wanting to visit Holden Beach.

PRESS RELEASE
We appreciate the overwhelming support for the family who traveled to North Carolina via horseback to visit the beach. Unfortunately, it is unlawful for horses to be within the corporate limits of the Town. Our ordinance was communicated to the family earlier today when the situation was brought to our attention. The short notice of the request prevented staff from seeking an exemption to the ordinance. The Town is unable to make exceptions for ordinance violations without going through the proper channels. The Town of Holden Beach would have loved to welcome the family into our community if we were given the proper notice to support the request and even offered to provide vehicular transportation to the beach but are unable to violate our own ordinances as it would set a precedent. We wish them the best in their future endeavors.

Cross-Country horseback journey hits a hurdle at
Holden Beach, finishes in Sunset Beach

A family of four who spent the last three years riding horseback across the country has reached the North Carolina coast. But their planned final stop in Holden Beach changed after they discovered horses are not allowed on the sand. Joshua and Terra White, along with their sons Lucus and Levi, started their ride in Susanville, California, in April 2022. The family traveled with six horses and one mule. They say the goal was to disconnect from modern life and raise their children on the road. “Hectic distractions and we wanted to cut those out… so we sat out on a cross country trip mimicking the pioneers,” Joshua White said. The boys documented the trip on social media while riding through 16 states and covering more than 4,000 miles. “Best part of our trip was that my sons have been at the helm of it they’ve done all the navigation all the money,” JoshuaWhite said. The family said Holden Beach came recommended through social media as a family-friendly place to end the journey. They arrived on Tuesday and planned to celebrate Lucus and Levi’s graduation after completing their schooling while traveling. When they tried to reach the beach, they learned that horses are not permitted on Holden Beach or on the bridge into town. With no access to their planned final stop, the family paused their trip at the Wild Horse Preserve at Grace Wynds, located several minutes from Holden. “Can’t thank the community enough for seeing our plight and understanding that mistakes were made and balls were dropped but we are here and we are grateful to be here. Probably the most grateful family ever to come to Holden Beach,” Joshua White said. Terra White contacted WWAY with an update. She said the family would complete the journey at Sunset Beach instead. A private pier owner permitted them to unload the horses and walk them to the water. The family plans to leave the Wild Horse Preserve around 6 p.m. and reach Sunset Beach by 7 p.m. Dozens of people, including Sunset Beach resident Melanie Fleming, were on hand to celebrate the Whites finishing their journey. “I’m just really passionate about, you know, equestrians and their journey and what they’re doing with their family, raising their boys,” Fleming said. While it wasn’t exactly the ending they were hoping for, because they brought the horses there by trailer, it still symbolized the end of their journey across the country. Brothers Levi and Lucus were overcome thinking about their experiences over the past 3 years. “It’s surreal, I really won’t have any good, a way to explain it for a little while,” Levi said. “It’s still hitting me myself. It was, it was completely, honestly mind-blowing cause me personally, I mean not to sound bad enough,” Lucus said. “But I honestly didn’t think we would make it this far.” And the reason why they needed to end their journey at the beach was due to one particular horse, named “Fly.” “He was blessed by a Navajo medicine man, to never succumb to any injury or sickness and the ground he travels on is blessed,” Levi explained. “We told them we would put an intact stallion, Navajo mustang into the Atlantic Ocean just for them.” “Fly” will eventually be returned to the tribe. Afterward, the Whites will return home by truck and trailer. They plan to offer horsemanship clinics along the way. “That’s one of our big goals is to do clinics and try to help people along the way back teach this because this is a dying art,” Levi White said.
Read more » click here

Tracking Tool
The BOC’s are looking for a status report on a monthly basis in order to track the progress of projects that they have prioritized.

• • • #2 ADA Self-Assessment
    • #6 ADA bathroom (at block Q)
    • #7 Fire station Upgrades
    • #8 Improve Audio/Video for Town Meetings
    • #14 Block Q Site Plan
    • #18 Update Town Website
    • #19 Pier Repair/Replacement
    • #26 Investigate vacuum bypass system
      

The current status of each of the eight (8) items listed is in the Town Manager Report

What she did not say –

Bike Lane Maintenance

Bike lane maintenance operations have been completed

In Case You Missed It –

THB Newsletter (06/10/25)
Splash Pad Closed
The splash pad at Bridgeview Park is closed for maintenance until further notice.

 THB Newsletter (06/06/25)
Concert/Public Safety Outreach Program
Concerts are held on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. throughout the summer. Members of the HB Police Department and Tri-Beach Fire Department will be onsite before the concert to provide important safety and community oriented tips from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

THB Newsletter (06/06/25)
Tide Dye Tuesday
The Tide Dye program will be held on Tuesdays , 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. beginning June 10th  at Bridgeview Park.  Participants must be in line by 2:00 p.m. to participate because the process takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.  Fee is $7 per shirt for youth sizes through adult XL and $10 per shirt for 2XL. Payment via cash or check only.  

 THB Newsletter (06/02/25)
Pilates
Pilates will begin tomorrow. Mat Pilates is a workout that focuses on building strength, flexibility and overall body awareness through controlled movements. This mat-based workout highlights core strength and breath to complete a full body workout. The instructor, Peyton Shetler, is Pilates and Group Fitness certified. This class is suitable for all levels and will provide progressions and regressions for each exercise. Participants will need to provide their own mats, water is recommended. Classes are offered Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 9:00-10:00 a.m. at the Bridgeview Park. Fee is $8 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Participants must be 18 years of age.

THB Newsletter (05/23/25)
Concerts
Our free concert series is scheduled for Sundays throughout the summer. Click here to view the full schedule.

 THB Newsletter (05/23/25)
Public Safety Outreach Program
Members of the HB Police Department and Tri-Beach Fire Department will engage with the public to provide important safety and community oriented tips on Sundays from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Bridgeview Park.

 THB Newsletter (05/23/25)
Tide Dye Tuesday
The Tide Dye program will be held on Tuesdays , 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. beginning June 10th  at Bridgeview Park.  Participants must be in line by 2:00 p.m. to participate because the process takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Fee is $7 per shirt for youth sizes through adult XL and $10 per shirt for 2XL. Payment via cash or check only.  

 THB Newsletter (05/23/25)
Multipurpose Court Update
The multipurpose court at Bridgeview Park is reserved for open pickleball play on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. The multipurpose court will close at 3:00 p.m. on Sundays during concert season. We are anticipating court repairs will be made towards the end of next week. Currently, the multipurpose court is scheduled to be closed next Wednesday – Saturday, but additional updates will be communicated.

 THB Newsletter (05/23/25)
Yoga Schedule Update
Starting June 1st, yoga classes will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the picnic shelter at Bridgeview Park. Classes begin at 9:00 a.m. Yoga sculpt classes will be held on Mondays and Fridays, starting at 10:00 a.m. in the Town Hall Public Assembly.

THB Newsletter (05/23/25)
Splash Pad Open
The splash pad at Bridgeview Park is officially open for the summer!

 THB Newsletter (05/22/25)
Solid Waste/Recycling
Saturday solid waste collection begins this weekend. Pick-ups up are scheduled for every Tuesday and Saturday through the end of September. All carts must be curbside by 6:00 a.m. on collection days. Weekly recycling begins on Tuesday, June 3rd. Visit https://hbtownhall.com/solid-waste%2Frecycling if you are interested in this service, but have not yet signed up.

THB Newsletter (05/15/25)
Pets on the Beach Strand
Pets are not allowed on the beach strand starting May 20^th – September 10^th
Please make sure to always clean up after your pet and keep them on a leash at all times

Dog Reminders
Please remember that any time your dog is off your premise, they must be on a leash, cord or chain at all times. Also, dog owners must remove dog waste immediately after it is deposited by the dog when on public property or any private property, including vacant lots, without the permission of the private property owner. Dog waste stations are conveniently located throughout the island.

Emergency Operations Center
The EOC building is being used by Tri-Beach Fire Department while they renovate their fire station on Sabbath Home

National Flood Insurance Program: Reauthorization
Congress must periodically renew the NFIP’s statutory authority to operate. On March 14, 2025, the president signed legislation passed by Congress that extends the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP’s) authorization to September 30, 2025. 

News from Town of Holden Beach
The town sends out emails of events, news, agendas, notifications and emergency information. If you would like to be added to their mailing list, please go to their web site to complete your subscription to the Holden Beach E-Newsletter.
For more information » click here

Upcoming Events –

Concerts on the Coast
Live performances featuring local musical groups are held at the pavilion on Sunday evenings from late May to early September. The concerts are free of charge.

Summer Concert Schedule * Lou’s Views 

9.  Discussion and Possible Approval of Ordinance 25-10, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 24-11, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2024 – 2025 (Amendment No. 8) – Finance Director McRainey (Interim Town Manager Ferguson)

Agenda Packet – pages 63 – 64

Ordinance 25-10 » click here 

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Transfer excess unassigned general fund balance over 70% to the Beach and Inlet Capital Reserve Fund.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The town’s fund balance policy sets target fund balance between 40%-70%. In December, a partial transfer was made to ensure the town had emergency funds if needed.

Update –
A housekeeping item, they adopted budget amendment as submitted transferring $300,382

 A decision was made – Approved unanimously

Editor’s note –
It shall be the Fund Balance Policy of the Town of Holden Beach to maintain a minimum of 40% and a maximum of 70% of unassigned fund balance in the General Fund.

10.  Discussion and Possible Action on Ordinance 25-11, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2025 – 2026 – Interim Town Manager Ferguson

Agenda Packet – pages 65 – 91

Ordinance 25-11 » click here 

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Consideration and possible action on proposed budget.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The following budget ordinance is being considered for adoption. Revisions to the budget message were discussed at the June 3^rd meeting and a budget ordinance is presented for public hearing and board action.

Update –
 The Board is required to hold a Public Hearing prior to adopting the budget. A public hearing on the budget for fiscal year 2025 – 2026 was held prior to the BOC’s Regular Meeting. State law defines an annual budget as “a proposed plan for raising and spending money for specified programs, functions, activities or objectives during a fiscal year.” Local governments must balance their budget. Ensuring that government commitments are in line with available resources is an essential element of good governance.  Proposed budget balanced with revenues equaling expenses. The BOC’s approved the town’s $31,743,027 budget ordinance as submitted for the upcoming fiscal year.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

Budget Calendar –
Local governments must balance their budget
The Town Manager’s proposed budget is due by June 1^st
Commissioners must adopt budget no later than June 30^th for the next fiscal year
Adopting the annual budget is a primary responsibility of the Board

11.  Discussion and Possible Approval of Resolution 25–05, Resolution Amending the Town of Holden Beach Fee Schedule (Wastewater Rates) – Town Clerk Finnell (Interim Town Manager Ferguson)

Agenda Packet – pages 92 – 94

Resolution 25-05 » click here

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Discussion and Possible Approval of Resolution 25-05, Resolution Amending the Holden Beach Fee Schedule (Wastewater Base Rate)

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Increased wastewater revenues are needed to offset increased expenses. Based on research, comparative analysis of neighboring municipalities and feedback from the Board, an increase of $3.90 is proposed, increasing the wastewater base charge to $20.00 per month. The Holden Beach Fee Schedule needs to be updated to reflect the proposed fee.

Update –
The resolution updates the Holden Beach Fee Schedule to reflect the new wastewater base charge. The increase in wastewater charges was approved as submitted.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

12. Consideration and Possible Action on Ward and Smith Contract for Upcoming Fiscal Year – Interim Town Manager Ferguson

Agenda Packet – pages 95 – 100

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Consideration and possible action on Ward and Smith Contract for upcoming fiscal year.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Ward and Smith serve as our federal advocates assisted by the Ferguson Group with federal research. This contract comes before you yearly for consideration and renewal, outlining the scope of work they will undertake for the Town.

Retainer and Fees
The retainer for services will continue to be $9,725 per month effective July 1, 2025,  through  June 30, 2026. Unless either of us terminates this engagement, this agreement will  remain  in  place through June 30, 2026.

 Since January of 2019, when our work officially commenced with the Town of Holden Beach, Ward and Smith, P.A.- with assistance from The Fergus on Group (TFG) has helped Holden Beach secure $8,599,867 in appropriations, $2,855,000 of which has been secured in calendar year 2025.

Update –
Our lobbyist Mike McIntyre with Ward & Smith in conjunction with the Ferguson Group represents the town in advocacy matters at the federal level. The monthly retainer minimal fee will remain at $9,725 per month, plus out-of-pocket expenses that typically total approximately $2,000 per month for The Ferguson Group. The agreement with Ward and Smith is for an annual total estimated advocacy cost of $140,700. We are simply updating our existing agreement by extending it out till the end of June of 2026.
The motion was made to approve renewing the contract without any price increase and have the Town Manager execute the contract.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

Editor’s Note –
The agreement with Ward and Smith is for an annual total estimated advocacy cost of $140,700. Since January of 2019 , when our work officially commenced with the Town of Holden Beach. Ward and Smith have helped Holden Beach secure $8,599,867 in appropriations. We have spent less than a million dollars and have secured funds of almost nine (9) million dollars, an excellent return on investment. It’s painful to say, but I was wrong. It wasn’t the first time and likely won’t be the last. In 2018 I objected to us hiring McIntyre as our lobbyist, but they have really delivered, and it has paid big dividends to the town.

13. Consideration and Possible Action on Carolina Creations Landscaping and Irrigation Contract – Interim Town Manager Ferguson

Agenda Packet – pages 101 – 119

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Consideration and possible action on Carolina Creations Landscaping and Irrigation Contract.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The attached contracts serve as the scope of work for the upcoming fiscal year for landscaping and irrigation. The contracts are set to renew in July.

Previously reported – September 2020
Discussion and Possible Approval of Contract for Landscaping Services
Presented as these are the costs, it is what it is. David said that it takes money to maintain what we have, and it needs to be tendered to if we want to keep it looking like it does. Commissioner Kwiatkowski  attempted to broach having Public Works handle this, but that position was immediately shut down by the Town Manager.  There was some discussion about making some landscape design improvements, but this contract is just for maintenance only. Commissioner Sullivan pointed out a discrepancy with an insurance liability issue in the contract and recommended a change be made. They decided to accept the $55,127 Carolina Creations contract pending the suggested revisions.
A decision was made – Approved unanimously

Update –
The motion was made to approve renewing the contract as submitted. The contract amount is $64,821 which  is approximately 18% higher than the $55,127 we started with them from five years ago.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

14. Discussion and Possible Scheduling of a Date to Hold Interviews for Vacancies on Town Boards – Town Clerk Finnell

Agenda Packet – pages 120 – 124

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Discussion and possible scheduling of a date to hold interviews for vacancies on Town Boards.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
There are terms expiring on Town Boards in July. I recommend the Board hold interviews on Tuesday, July 15^th at 4:45pm for people interested in filling the vacant terms. Attached are the lists with current members and their terms.

Update –
Heather indicated that some Boards would have vacancies  and they will need to hold interviews. The Board agreed by consensus to hold interviews to fill the vacancies before the next BOC’s Regular July meeting.

Volunteers needed
Are you interested in serving on a Town board? The Town has vacancies on the Board of Adjustment, Planning & Zoning Board and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. Click here to view information on these boards.  Interviews for vacancies will be held on Tuesday, July 15th at 4:45 p.m. Click here to access an application if you are interested in applying to serve. Completed applications can be emailed to heather@hbtownhall.com or dropped off at Town Hall prior to July 7^th.

15.  Mayor’s Comments

From the Mayor’s Desk (06/02/25)
Hurricane Season
 June 1^st is the official start to the hurricane season in the Atlantic. Would your family be prepared in the event of a hurricane? Click here to visit the Emergency Information section of our website. You will find helpful tips to implement now, before the threat of a storm. Please make sure you have your vehicle decals in place now. Do not wait! These decals are necessary for re-entry to the island in the event of an emergency situation that restricts access to the island. Click here for more information on decals.

Alan stated that there are oceanfront homes without the required house numbers visible from the beach strand.

Building Numbers
Ocean front homes are required to have house numbers visible from the beach strand. Please call Planning and Inspections Department at 910.842.6080 with any questions.

§157.087 BUILDING NUMBERS.

(A) The correct street number shall be clearly visible from the street on all buildings. Numbers shall be block letters, not script, and of a color clearly in contrast with that of the building and shall be a minimum of six inches in height.

(B) Beach front buildings will also have clearly visible house numbers from the strand side meeting the above criteria on size, contrast, etc. Placement shall be on vertical column supporting deck(s) or deck roof on the primary structure. For buildings with a setback of over 300 feet from the first dune line, a vertical post shall be erected aside the walkway with house numbers affixed. In all cases the numbers must be clearly visible from the strand. Other placements may be acceptable with approval of the Building Inspector.

General Comments –

BOC’s Meeting
The Board of Commissioners’ next Regular Meeting is scheduled on the third Tuesday of the month, July 15^th

 It’s not like they don’t have anything to work on …

The following eight (8) items are what’s In the Works/Loose Ends queue:

• • • • Accommodation/Occupancy Tax Compliance
        
      • Audio/Video Broadcast
      • Block Q Project/Carolina Avenue
        
      • Dog Park
      • Fire Station Project
      • Pavilion Replacement
      • Pier Properties Project
      • Rights-of-Way

The definition of loose ends is a fragment of unfinished business or a detail that is not yet settled or explained, which is the current status of these items. All of these items were started and then put on hold, and they were never put back in the queue. This Board needs to continue working on them and move these items to closure.

.

Lost in the Sauce –

.

From 2024

Discussion and Possible Action on Emergency Beach Access – Police Chief Dixon and Fire Chief Todd

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
No Action – Discussion on emergency beach access

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Chief Todd (Tri-Beach Fire) & Chief Dixon have observed emergency access issues

Over the last couple of summers, emergency responders have noticed an increase in people using the areas around the emergency accesses for their beach equipment. More and more often we are seeing canopies, tents, towels, volleyball nets, surfboards, and other beach related equipment directly surrounding the emergency access points. This causes significant emergency response delays. During certain situations, it is not uncommon for some beach equipment to be run over by emergency vehicles as moving the equipment takes too long and no alternate routes are available. This not only increases emergency response times, but it also threatens damage to personal beach equipment and threatens damage to emergency vehicles. We are asking that the Board of Commissioners consider discussing the possibility of enacting ordinances that either prevent beach equipment within a certain distance of emergency access points, and/or ordinances which create emergency vehicle lanes on the beach strand.

They were here tonight presenting an issue that needs to be addressed by the Board. They would like to prohibit blocking emergency access points by not allowing any obstructions there. In addition, they would like to have a travel lane for emergency vehicles on the beach strand. They discussed the issue and decided to benchmark off the surrounding islands policies and have the staff bring back a  proposal at the next scheduled Regular Meeting. 

We already have verbiage in Ordinance §94.06  that you can’t place items within ten (10) feet of the dunes. That ten (10) feet gives emergency responders a clear path along the dune line for them to go up and down the beach strand. We would just need to modify the Ordinance to prohibit blocking emergency access points.

§94.06 PLACING OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE BEACH.

   (A)   All beach equipment must be removed from the beach by its owner or permitted user on a daily basis. All personal items and beach equipment unattended and remaining on the beach between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. will be classified as abandoned property and shall be removed and disposed of by the town.

   (B)   All beach equipment shall be set at least ten feet from any sea turtle nest or dune vegetation.

Hurricane Season
For more information » click here.

Be prepared – have a plan! 

No matter what a storm outlook is for a given year,
vigilance and preparedness is urged.

NOAA 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook
The 2025 North Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook is an official product of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center (CPC). The outlook is produced in collaboration with hurricane experts from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) and Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML). The Atlantic hurricane region includes the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of America.

Interpretation of NOAA’s Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook:
This outlook is a general guide to the expected overall activity during the upcoming hurricane season. It is not a seasonal hurricane landfall forecast, and it does not predict levels of activity for any particular location.

Preparedness:
Hurricane-related disasters can occur during any season, even for years with low overall activity. It only takes one hurricane (or tropical storm) to cause a disaster. It is crucial that residents, businesses, and government agencies of coastal and near-coastal regions prepare for every hurricane season regardless of this, or any other, seasonal outlook. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through Ready.gov (English) and www.listo.gov (Spanish), the NHC, the Small Business Administration, and the American Red Cross all provide important hurricane preparedness information on their web sites.

NOAA does not make seasonal hurricane landfall predictions:
NOAA does not make seasonal hurricane landfall predictions. Hurricane landfalls are largely determined by the weather patterns in place as the hurricane approaches, and those patterns are usually only predictable when the storm is within several days of making landfall.

Preparedness for tropical storm and hurricane landfalls:
It only takes one storm hitting an area to cause a disaster, regardless of the overall activity for the season. Therefore, residents, businesses, and government agencies of coastal and near-coastal regions should prepare every hurricane season regardless of this, or any other, seasonal outlook.

Nature of this outlook and the “likely” ranges of activity:
This outlook is probabilistic, meaning the stated “likely” ranges of activity have a certain likelihood of occurring. The seasonal activity is expected to fall within these ranges in 7 out of 10 seasons with similar conditions and uncertainties to those expected this year. They do not represent the total possible ranges of activity seen in past similar years. Years with similar levels of activity can have dramatically different impacts.

This outlook is based on analyses of 1) predictions of large-scale factors known to influence seasonal hurricane activity, and 2) long-term forecast models that directly predict seasonal hurricane activity. The outlook also takes into account uncertainties inherent in such outlooks.

Sources of uncertainty in the seasonal outlooks:

• • Predicting the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases, which include El Niño and La Niña events and ENSO-neutral and their impacts on North Atlantic basin hurricane activity, is an ongoing scientific challenge facing scientists today. Such forecasts made during the spring generally have limited skill.
  • Many combinations of named storms (tropical and subtropical storms), hurricanes, and major hurricanes can occur for the same general set of conditions. For example, one cannot know with certainty whether a given signal may be associated with several shorter-lived storms or fewer longer-lived storms with greater intensity.
  • Model predictions of sea-surface temperatures (SSTs), vertical wind shear, moisture, atmospheric stability, and other factors known to influence overall seasonal hurricane activity have limited skill this far in advance of the peak months (August-October) of the hurricane season.
  • Shorter-term weather patterns that are unpredictable on seasonal time scales can sometimes develop and last for weeks or months, possibly affecting seasonal hurricane activity.

2025 North Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook Summary

 a) Predicted Activity

NOAA’s outlook for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season indicates that an above-normal season is most likely, with a moderate probability that the season could be near-normal and lower odds for a below-normal season. The outlook calls for a 60% chance of an above-normal season, along with a 30% chance for a near-normal season and only a 10% chance for a below-normal season. See NOAA definitions (https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/Background.html) of above-, near-, and below-normal seasons.

The 2025 outlook calls for a 70% probability for each of the following ranges of activity during the 2025 hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1st through November 30th:

• • 13-19 Named Storms
  • 6-10 Hurricanes
  • 3-5 Major Hurricanes
  • Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) range of 95 to 180% of the median

The seasonal activity is expected to fall within these ranges in 70% of seasons with similar conditions and uncertainties to those expected this year. These ranges do not represent the total possible ranges of activity seen in past similar years. These expected ranges are centered above the 1991-2020 seasonal averages of 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. Most of the predicted activity is likely to occur during August-September-October (ASO), the peak months of the hurricane season.
The North Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1st through November 30th. This outlook will be updated in early August to coincide with the onset of the peak months of the season (ASO).

b) Reasoning behind the outlook

This 2025 seasonal hurricane outlook reflects the expectation of factors during ASO that have historically produced active Atlantic hurricane seasons, though some were not as active, resulting in a range of activity. The main atmospheric and oceanic factors for this outlook are:

• • • The set of conditions that have produced the ongoing high-activity era for Atlantic hurricanes which began in 1995 are likely to continue in 2025. These conditions include warmer sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) and weaker trade winds in the Atlantic hurricane Main Development Region (MDR), along with weaker vertical wind shear, and a conducive West African monsoon. The oceanic component of these conditions is often referred to as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), while the ocean/atmosphere combined system is sometimes referred to as Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV). The MDR spans the tropical North Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Currently observed SSTs in the MDR are similar to those normally observed in mid-June. Saharan Air Layer outbreaks typically mitigate some of the activity early in the season, but it is not known if this will significantly affect activity during the peak months. Tradewinds are weaker than normal which contributes to lower vertical wind shear. The upper-level circulation with the West African Monsoon is near average, though monsoon rainfall is predicted to be shifted northward and be potentially above-average for the entire season.
      
    • The most recent forecast from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center indicates ENSO-neutral conditions are likely through the hurricane season. During the peak months (ASO), the odds are highest for ENSO-neutral (54%), with moderate probabilities for La Niña (33%), and low chances of an El Niño event (13%) occurring. During a high-activity era, ENSO-neutral is typically associated with above-average levels of hurricane activity. La Niña events tend to reinforce those high-activity era conditions and further increase the likelihood of an above-normal hurricane season, while most of the inactive seasons are associated with El Niño events.
      

Read more » click here

NOAA predicts above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season
Above-average Atlantic Ocean temperatures set the stage
NOAA’s outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The agency is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 6-10 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3-5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges. “NOAA and the National Weather Service are using the most advanced weather models and cutting-edge hurricane tracking systems to provide Americans with real-time storm forecasts and warnings,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “With these models and forecasting tools, we have never been more prepared for hurricane season.” “As we witnessed last year with significant inland flooding from hurricanes Helene and Debby, the impacts of hurricanes can reach far beyond coastal communities,” said Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm. “NOAA is critical for the delivery of early and accurate forecasts and warnings, and provides the scientific expertise needed to save lives and property.” 

Factors influencing NOAA’s predictions
The season is expected to be above normal – due to a confluence of factors, including continued ENSO-neutral conditions, warmer than average ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear, and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes. All of these elements tend to favor tropical storm formation. The high activity era continues in the Atlantic Basin, featuring high-heat content in the ocean and reduced trade winds. The higher-heat content provides more energy to fuel storm development, while weaker winds allow the storms to develop without disruption. This hurricane season also features the potential for a northward shift of the West African monsoon, producing tropical waves that seed some of the strongest and most long-lived Atlantic storms. “In my 30 years at the National Weather Service, we’ve never had more advanced models and warning systems in place to monitor the weather,” said NOAA’s National Weather Service Director Ken Graham. “This outlook is a call to action: be prepared. Take proactive steps now to make a plan and gather supplies to ensure you’re ready before a storm threatens.”

Improved hurricane analysis and forecasts in store for 2025
NOAA will improve its forecast communications, decision support, and storm recovery efforts this season. These include:

• • NOAA’s model, the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System, will undergo an upgrade that is expected to result in another 5% improvement of tracking and intensity forecasts that will help forecasters provide more accurate watches and warnings.
  • NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) and Central Pacific Hurricane Center will be able to issue tropical cyclone advisory products up to 72 hours before the arrival of storm surge or tropical-storm-force winds on land, giving communities more time to prepare. 
  • NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center’s Global Tropical Hazards Outlook, which provides advance notice of potential tropical cyclone risks, has been extended from two weeks to three weeks, to provide additional time for preparation and response. 

Enhanced communication products for this season

• • NHC will offer Spanish language text products to include the Tropical Weather Outlook, Public Advisories, the Tropical Cyclone Discussion, the Tropical Cyclone Update and Key Messages. 
  • NHC will again issue an experimental version of the forecast cone graphic that includes a depiction of inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings in effect for the continental U.S. New for this year, the graphic will highlight areas where a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning are simultaneously in effect. 
  • NHC will provide a rip current risk map when at least one active tropical system is present. The map uses data provided by local National Weather Service forecast offices. Swells from distant hurricanes cause dangerous surf and rip current conditions along the coastline.

Innovative tools for this year

• • NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services (NESDIS), in collaboration with NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and NOAA Research, is deploying a new, experimental electronically scanning radar system called ROARS on NOAA’s P-3 hurricane hunter research aircraft. The system will scan beneath the plane to collect data on the ocean waves and the wind structure of the hurricane. 
  • NOAA Weather Prediction Center’s experimental Probabilistic Precipitation Portal provides user-friendly access to see the forecast for rain and flash flooding up to three days in advance. In 2024, Hurricane Helene caused more than 30 inches of extreme inland rainfall that was devastating and deadly to communities in North Carolina. 

NOAA’s outlook is for overall seasonal activity and is not a landfall forecast. NOAA also issued seasonal hurricane outlooks for the eastern Pacific and central Pacific hurricane basins. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center will update the 2025 Atlantic seasonal outlook in early August, prior to the historical peak of the season.
Read more » click here 

Atlantic Hurricane Season Could Go ‘0 For June.’
Does That Matter For The Rest Of The Season?
Unlike one year ago, this June has been dead quiet in the Atlantic. Our deeper dive examines whether this is unusual and whether that provides anything meaningful about what the rest of the season holds.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season may fail to produce its first storm through the rest of June for the first time in 11 years. But that doesn’t mean the rest of the season won’t pose dangers to the U.S. and Caribbean.

‘0 For June,’ Unlike Last Year
While the Eastern Pacific has already generated five storms and two hurricanes, including Erick, we’re still waiting for the first named storm, “Andrea”, to develop in the Atlantic Basin. -One year ago, Alberto first became a tropical storm on June 19 in the Gulf, then Beryl exploded from a tropical storm to a Cat 4 hurricane by June 30 in the eastern Caribbean Sea.

Is This Unusual?
The short answer is, “For recent years, yes, but in general, not really.” Since the satellite era (1966), the season’s first storm arrived, on average, around June 10. Over a 30-year period from 1991 through 2020, that average date was June 20, according to the National Hurricane Center. Twenty-seven of 59 hurricane seasons since 1966 have failed to generate a June storm. That last happened in 2018 and 2019. This may be the first season to not produce a single storm in June, or before June, since 2014. But the last five seasons from 2020 through 2024 each produced at least one June storm. Four of those seasons, including the past two, produced multiple June storms.

Why So Quiet?
June and November are typically the two quietest months of hurricane season. By a measure known as accumulated cyclone energy or ACE, only about 2% of the Atlantic hurricane season’s activity occurs through June. This year, a combination of strong wind shear over the western Gulf and Caribbean Sea, higher than average surface pressure, more stable air suppressing thunderstorms, and less ocean heat than last year are keeping a lid on development, so far.

Does This Matter For The Rest Of The Season?
Given this “0 for June,” there is less of a chance that 2025’s season will be as frenetic as, say, 2020, 2017 or 2005. Since 1993, Junes with multiple storms correlate to hyperactive seasons, averaging 18 more storms, nine hurricanes and four major (Cat 3-plus) hurricanes, according to Todd Crawford, Vice President of Meteorology at Atmospheric G2. Crawford also found that seven of eight seasons with at least 10 hurricanes also had at least one June storm.

‘It Only Takes One’
Here’s what happened in the last two seasons without a June storm:

 2019: Another 17 storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes formed, including Cat 5 Dorian’s catastrophic raking of the northwest Bahamas.

 2018: Another 14 storms, eight hurricanes and two major hurricanes formed, including Florence’s catastrophic rainfall in the Carolinas, followed by Michael’s Cat 5 landfall in the Florida Panhandle.

Each of those three hurricanes was so destructive and/or deadly that their names were retired from future use.

Despite potentially somewhat reduced numbers for the season overall, the Atmospheric G2 team is forecasting three hurricanes to make a U.S. landfall in 2025. And it only takes one storm to strike where you are to make any season memorably bad.

Prepare Now, Regardless
The bottom line is we’re still very early in the season, with the most active months of August and September ahead. Now, not in the days before a hurricane strikes, is a good time to refresh or develop a plan. That includes knowing if you live in an evacuation zone, assembling a disaster kit at home, making your home as resilient as possible, checking on your insurance policy and making an inventory of your belongings.
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