In this issue:
- Highlights of the July Village Council regular meeting.
- Weather conditions are impacting the marina channel entrance – dredger is on-site – BHI Transportation is using smaller boats and adjusting schedules as needed.
- Stage 3 Water Conservation Update – Limited Irrigation Schedule released.
- Recap of the July 9 Town Hall Meeting.
- July is Golf Cart Safety Awareness Month.
- Village Utilities recommends installation of owner shut-off valves ahead of freezing temperatures this winter.
Reminders & Events:
- 2026 BHI Pirate Invasion is July 31 through August 2.
- Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. for a public education event on Stormwater on the Island.
- The next regular Village Council meeting is on Friday, August 21, 2026.
- The summer concert series is underway; check out the schedule & lineup!
- REMINDER: Peak Season Package Delays an Update
- Help us respond appropriately to fire alarm calls.
Village Council Regular Meeting
The Village Council conducted its last regular meeting on Friday, July 17, 2026.
Below are a few highlights:
- Village Council received information on the scope of work required to consider a conversion of the soft-tube groin field to hardened structures. No action was taken.
- Village Council called for a public hearing to extend and modify the development moratorium applicable to certain property located in PD-2C and PD-3C commercial zoning districts, that hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 3 at 9:00 a.m.
- Village Council made appointments to the Planning Board and Commercial Review Board; those are listed below. Thank you to all who were willing to serve!
Planning Board – James (Jock) Clark (reappointed) and John Kirkpatrick.
Commercial Review Board – Robert Digby, Victoria Lonker, Claude Pope, and Jeff Sanderson (alternate) - Mayor Quinn gave an update on the BHI Transportation Authority and reported on the July 9 Town Hall Meeting.
- Village Council approved the Sediment Dynamics and Resilience Study Contract (with Georgia Tech and BHI Conservancy).
A full recap with additional details is posted monthly on our website HERE. If you’d like to listen to an engaging podcast reviewing the regular meeting, you can access our podcast HERE. All questions should go to public.information@villagebhi.org.
A full account of these meetings can be found in the minutes, which are posted HERE. Typically, minutes are posted with the agenda of next month’s meeting (e.g., if you want to read the December meeting minutes, they can be found under the January regular meeting agenda).
Marina Channel Entrance Shoaling
Weather conditions are causing significant shoaling at the marina channel entrance. While BHI Transportation, Inc. operates the ferry service, the Village is responsible for maintaining the marina entrance channel through routine dredging. The recent period of persistent winds and associated currents has accelerated the movement of sand into the channel, creating shoaling conditions that have not been experienced at this level for some years. The duration and intensity of these conditions have been unusual and have required both the Village and BHI Transportation, Inc. to adapt operations as conditions continue to evolve. Fortunately, the Village’s dredging contractor is on-site. They arrived last night (7/20) and began efforts to clear the channel. However, the continued winds and unfavorable currents limited the effectiveness of those initial dredging operations, with sand quickly moving back into the channel.
The current forecast indicates these conditions may continue. In the meantime, BHI Transportation Inc. is using the monohull vessels (contractor ferries) for passengers and luggage during low tide and has announced that ferry service may be interrupted during certain low tide periods (see below). Adjusting the schedule will give the dredging company ample time to set up, dredge as long as possible, and then move their equipment out so that the ferries can resume operations. During active dredging operations, the entrance channel will be closed to all vessel traffic to ensure the work can be completed safely and efficiently.
Ferry Service Advisory – Shoaling and Dredging Operations (from BHI Transportation Inc.)
Due to shoaling at the Bald Head Island entrance channel, ferry service may be interrupted during the following low tide periods (approximately 60 minutes before and after low tide):
* Tuesday, 7/21: Low tide at 8:10 PM
* Wednesday, 7/22: Low tides at 8:15 AM and 9:00 PM
* Thursday, 7/23: Low tide at 9:05 AM
* Friday, 7/24: Low tide at 10:00 AM
To support dredging operations, ferry service will end early on Thursday, 7/23, and Friday, 7/24. On both days:
* Last departure from Deep Point: 8:00 PM
* Last departure from Bald Head Island: 8:30 PM
For the most up-to-date schedule changes and updates, please check the BHI Transportation Inc. website (HERE) or the phone app.
Stage 3 Water Shortage Warning Update
On Friday, July 17, Brunswick County provided an updated Limited Irrigation Schedule, as part of the Stage 3 Water Shortage Warning / MANDATORY Restrictions (County’s original message HERE) which has been in effect since July 10, 2026.
Under the Stage 3 Limited Irrigation Schedule, water customers may only water lawns and landscaping with automatic irrigation systems (spray irrigation, drip irrigation, etc.) less than one inch of water per week, between the hours of 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM on their designated day:
- Properties with odd-numbered addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) and non-addressed facilities may irrigate during the consecutive 8-hour period from 8:00 PM on Tuesday through 4:00 AM Wednesday
- Properties with even-numbered addresses (ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, 0) may irrigate during the consecutive 8-hour period from 8:00 PM on Friday through 4:00 AM Saturday
Additionally, this update contains reminders on exemptions and rules surrounding watering personal food gardens, maintaining existing landscape plantings, and commercial business interests.
As a reminder, we are still under an active BURN BAN! It has been in effect since June 8.
Updates to the Stage 3 Conservation Alert will be posted to our Village Utilities webpage HERE. Updates for the burn ban are posted to our Public Safety webpage HERE. Both updates will appear on our social media channels.
Town Hall Meeting Recap
The Village had its first of what may be several Town Hall Meetings on July 9, 2026. A video recording of the event can be found on the Village’s YouTube channel HERE. Throughout the recording, there are prompts for links to additional information about the topics discussed (such as information on shoreline protection, the wastewater treatment plant, the Village’s organizational chart, housing stock map, etc.)
During the Town Hall, the Mayor and Village Manager emphasized the importance of resident feedback regarding infrastructure, particularly as the island reaches its build-out capacity (it’s at approximately 65% now). Key priorities such as shoreline protection, strain on the island from tourist numbers, and the necessity of expanding the wastewater treatment plant were discussed.
Islanders expressed some of their frustrations surrounding the transportation system, safety risks due to increased ICE vehicle traffic and the impact of rental properties on local resources.
Overall, the Town Hall highlighted the delicate balance between maintaining the island’s natural character and providing essential services through strategic financial planning, grant funding, and lobbying efforts.
Golf Cart Safety Awareness Month
July is Golf Cart Safety Awareness Month and is a time when we try to get the word out about how important golf cart safety is on BHI. The Village has posted its golf cart safety guidance on the bulletin board outside the Island Package Center & Post Office and on social media.
Islanders can also listen to and share the golf cart safety episode (HERE) of the Village’s Voice podcast for an informative discussion on golf cart safety on Bald Head Island. Our podcast is available on several podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Podbean App, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeartRadio, and more, and can be found by searching “Bald Head Island.” You can also listen online HERE.
More information on golf cart safety can be found HERE. We also have flyers available at Village Hall and the Department of Public Safety.
Owner Water Service Shutoffs Recommended
While we have been currently experiencing extreme heat, it was not too long ago that Islanders were dealing with freezing temperatures and snow! Starting this year, due to the increasing number of island property owners who have been requesting that Village Utilities shut off their water service temporarily for freezes, the Village will not be offering “on-demand” shut-offs for freezing events.
Alternatively, the Village is strongly recommending that property owners install an owner shutoff valve at their residences. This way, the owner or property manager can control the water service coming to the home without having to contact Village Utilities prior to a freezing event AND remember to contact us again when the home is occupied to turn the service back on. Installing an owner shutoff also protects homeowners year-round in the case of a major water leak. The water can be shut off immediately to prevent serious property damage.
Please contact a licensed plumber to install your owner shutoff. A list of plumbers can be found on the BHA’s website HERE. You may also be eligible for benefits from your home insurance provider for installing this equipment.
REMINDERS & EVENTS:
BHI Pirate Invasion Weekend
The 2026 BHI Pirate Invasion will be held July 31-August 2. The full schedule and details can be found HERE. Please be aware that you may hear the pirates practicing for their battle at sea before their arrival. Many of the activities take place at the Village’s Marina Park, and the Village is a sponsor.
BHI Pirate Invasion, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation created to coordinate the Bald Head Island Pirate Festival. All funds collected are to cover the costs of this volunteer-run event, and your donation is tax-deductible. To volunteer or to get a sponsorship form, please contact Sandy Kades at: sekades@aol.com.
Public Education Event on Stormwater
Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. for a public education event on Stormwater on the Island. The Village secured a stormwater grant and its consultants at WithersRavenel will be presenting information from their work and will be offering some best practices for Islanders. The meeting will be in person at the Department of Public Safety (273 Edward Teach Ext.) and there is a Zoom option. Zoom invitation link HERE.
Next Regular Village Council Meeting
The next regular Village Council Meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Meetings are held in the multi-purpose room in the Department of Public Safety (273 Edward Teach Ext.). The agenda for the meeting will be posted HERE. Zoom information for listening remotely can be found HERE.
If you are unable to attend, we will be publishing a written recap HERE, and there will be a podcast episode covering the highlights.
Summer Concert Series
Bald Head Island Yacht Club’s summer concert series is back this year! It kicked off on June 3, and the next concert is scheduled for next Wednesday, July 29.
IPC Package Delays
As previously reported, Islanders should expect USPS package delays again this peak season. If you have guests and visitors who plan on utilizing the Island Package Center this season, you may want to consider reaching out to them to let them know of the delays. If they are only staying for one week, it may be presumptuous to expect a delivery during their stay. More details HERE.
Fire Alarms
Since smoke detection systems on Bald Head Island are monitored by an alarm company, once your smoke detector goes off, your alarm company is notified, and a 911 call is dispatched to the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Many of these calls end up being caused by cooking smoke or shower steam, which are not emergencies.
Property owners can help our DPS in these non-emergency instances by calling the alarm company immediately after the smoke detector goes off to let them know that there is no emergency. This is relayed to our DPS through dispatch. DPS will still have to respond, but with less manpower and equipment, and no lights and sirens. This will ensure more of our officers and equipment is available to respond to other emergencies and make our roads much safer.
Please relay this information to your renters and guests.
Bald Head Association events can be found HERE.
Old Baldy Foundation events can be found HERE.
BHI Conservancy events can be found HERE.
Village Chapel events can be found HERE.
Project Longevity event info HERE.
The Village calendar can be found HERE.
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