Wrightsville Beach town manger Bob Simpson delivered a budget overview to the Board of Alderman (BOA) at its meeting on May 14.
The three-part budget includes capital improvements, revenues and expenses.
Simpson said requests for $1.47 million in capital improvements was reduced to $417,000, with one one-fourth of that amount, $100,000 earmarked for equipment and the remainder for debt maintenance.
Revenue projections support $5.72 million representing a decrease of 4.24 percent stemming from shortfalls in building permit revenues, sales tax distributions, vehicle tax distributions, interest on investments and reductions in government grants. Property taxes represent 30 percent of the overall revenues, parking fees 17 percent and sales tax 9 percent.
As a result of the revenue shortfalls, Simpson and his department heads made $772,000 in cuts representing a 7.7 percent reduction in expenses. The reductions – made by cutting seasonal personnel, trimming employee benefits and eliminating staff development and travel - were part of a mandate by the BOA during its February retreat requesting a balanced budget with no new taxes.
However, some proposed expenditures have been in the pipeline for several years including the acquisition of a new street sweeper, two new patrol cars, new roofing for the recreation center and a new fuel pump for public works.
The first of several budget workshops will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20.
In other business, the BOA discussed the creation of a farmers market. Alderman Lisa Weeks said there were four options for a possible site: Old Causeway Drive, Wynn Plaza, the downtown business district and town property. Weeks, who met recently with Katie Ryan, parks and recreation program manager. To relief management pressure from town staff Weeks said, “My vision is to set up a committee to manage the farmers market and as a consensus decide where the best place is to hold it.”
The Old Causeway Drive location would provide good visibility but may cause some logistical traffic issues. The town property scenario would require the permission of the U.S. Department of the Interior which grants the town the land use. A downtown location might involve a conditional use permit but may also revitalize the area. Weeks asked to return to the BOA at its May 28 meeting with a full recommendation.
The BOA approved a special use permit for the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) Beach Blast planned for Tuesday, Aug. 18. Jon Kapell of UNCW said nine of the university’s security force and three of the town’s police department would provide event security. Approximately 30 UNCW staff volunteers will be checking coolers for alcoholic beverages, banned from the beach, and identifying students with wristbands. Vendors and a live remote radio broadcast are planned. Following the event last year, more than 100 students participated in a beach sweep to clean up cigarette butts and garbage left behind.
