KEY INFORMATION:
- Highlights from the Village Council’s April 25, 2025, budget workshop.
- Update on local road closures on the mainland.
- NEW Deer Management webpage.
- Changes to hazardous waste drop-off effective June 1, 2025.
REMINDERS & EVENTS:
- ICE vehicle and trailer feedback requested, send it in today!
- Turtle season is here!
- Mating season for alligators is here, too!
- The next regular Village Council meeting is Friday, May 16, 2025.
- The BHI Yacht Club 2025 Summer Concert Series kicks off on May 28. The Village is a sponsor, come say “hi” at our booth!
- Mark your calendars for a Hurricane Community Forum on June 11 and Public Safety Day on June 27.
Budget Workshop
The Village Council conducted a budget workshop on Friday, April 25, 2025. Highlights from the workshop included the following:
General fund expenditures are projected to increase approximately 11% from last year ($2,032,300). Most of this increase is attributed to debt service (GO bonds for beach renourishment and public safety vehicle loans) and capital outlay (departmental needs, which include road construction and public safety vehicles).
General fund revenues are balanced with general fund expenditures (required by NC General Statutes). A fund balance appropriation of approximately $422,8000 is being utilized to cover public safety vehicle debt service (leveraging FEMA reimbursements), capital outlay, and development services expenses. A small tax rate increase is proposed – a $0.013 village-wide increase for debt service related to beach nourishment, and an additional $0.002 in municipal service district zones A and B.
For the Utilities fund, rate increases were proposed. These include a 10% increase to all water charge fees, a 10% increase to sewer fees, a 25% increase to the debt/capital surcharge, and a 3% increase to all other utility rates (tap fees, etc.). These increases will result in a net increase for a minimum monthly bill of $14.67.
- Council members raised questions and provided feedback on various aspects of the budget, including the rate of increase in certain areas, long-term capital planning, and specific expenditure items.
- There was a recurring discussion about the need for more proactive long-term financial planning, including dedicated funding mechanisms for capital projects and asset maintenance to stabilize tax rates over time. The asset inventory is expected to inform this planning.
- Council members raised topics for future budget discussions, such as parking solutions, land conservation efforts, and potential future capital projects.
***Please note that what was presented to Council at this meeting is a first-look draft and is subject to change based on discussions and guidance from Council.***
Next steps:
- Submission of the budget on May 5th.
- Public hearing on May 16, 2025.
- Budget adoption at a regular meeting (June 20, 2025).
- Village staff will be updating the fund balance information based on the latest financial data before the final vote (then, the need for an additional workshop will be determined).
For a more detailed summary of the meeting, view our full recap HERE.
The presentation slides and recap are posted on the “Annual Budget” webpage HERE. Taxpayers are encouraged to submit questions and comments, and instructions on how to do so are also available there!
Road Closures
Two mainland road projects are impacting travel to and from Deep Point Marina: the NC-133 (River Road) project and E. Moore Street in Southport.
Fortunately, according to the NCDOT project page (HERE), the E. Moore project should be wrapped up soon; the current expected completion date is May 13, 2025. As a reminder, when E. Moore reopens, please follow the signs for the ferry and refrain from cutting through the Turtlewood subdivision.
The NC-133 project’s contract has incentives built in to encourage the contractor to complete this project earlier than the September 5, 2025, completion date. The maximum incentive would start on June 22, 2025. The Village reached out to NCDOT staff this week to check on the status. They do not anticipate reopening the road by June 22, but they do think it is very possible the road will reopen before September 5.
Deer Management
The BHI Conservancy’s annual update at the Village Council retreat in February revealed the results of its fall 2024 deer population survey, indicating a deer population over the established target (221 – the target is 200). Over the last few months, every time the Village Council had a meeting, council members discussed its options moving forward.
The Village will need to perform a cull in winter 2025/2026 to reduce the population. Consideration is being made to restart the immunocontraception program in late 2026/early 2027, but that remains to be seen as the Village Council continues to discuss pros, cons, and overall cost-benefit to the island.
The Village has a new webpage (HERE) dedicated to deer management on BHI. It includes background information, FAQs, and resources. There is also information on how to submit additional questions and provide feedback to the Village. Content will be added as additional questions are received and more information is available.
Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
The Village will no longer accept hazardous waste drop-offs daily starting in June. Hazardous waste includes paint, chemicals, and electronics. The last day for property owners to drop off hazardous waste at Public Works is May 30, 2025. After that date, the Village will be scheduling specific weeks during the year in which this type of waste will be collected from property owners at Public Works and promptly taken off-island.
This is a common practice for counties and municipalities on the mainland and helps protect the collection area from contamination. The Village will add the drop-off schedule to its Trash & Vegetation Pick Up Calendar and Village Calendar, and as soon as the dates are arranged, we will publish this information.
Contractors will be notified, even though they have never been able to bring this waste to Public Works. This is a service for property owners only. Contractors and businesses are solely responsible for disposing of all waste generated by commercial/for-hire activities.
REMINDERS:
ICE Vehicles & Trailers
As previously reported, the Village conducted three town halls to receive input on ICE vehicles and trailers. The presentations and ordinances discussed at the town halls can be found online HERE.
The Village is accepting comments from business owners through TODAY Friday, May 2, 2025, at comments@villagebhi.org. So, if you have any ideas and you have not emailed the Village, please do so now!
Village Staff will take all feedback received from stakeholders and develop recommendations for the Village Council. This will include draft ordinance amendments. Before the adoption of any ordinance changes, a public hearing will be held. If you would like to receive notice of hearings via email, please send an email to the Village Clerk (email) with the words “Sunshine List” in the subject line.
Next Regular Council Meeting
The next regular Village Council Meeting is this Friday, May 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The agenda will be posted HERE. Zoom information to listen in remotely can be found HERE.
Turtle Season is Here!
It’s officially sea turtle season! This means that beach bonfire season has ended, and there are a few additional rules folks need to remember to follow. In addition to the Village’s ordinance on beach bonfires, the Village has ordinances for dogs on the beach, beach equipment, and lights on the beach.
- Dogs must be on a leash from sunset to sunrise. (Section 4-521).
- All beach equipment must be removed between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and at least 10 feet away from sea turtle nests. (Sections 10-164-166).
- No artificial light except frequencies of red light is allowed on the beach. (Section 10-83)
Below are a few tips from the BHI Conservancy:
- TURTLES DIG THE DARK – Do not shine any light, including red light, on nesting moms or hatchlings.
- REMEMBER LIGHTS ONLY – Only red lights are allowed on the beach. Red flashlights and red turtle stickers for phones or handheld devices are available for purchase at Turtle Central and can be found online.
- FILL UP HOLES & PICK UP TRASH – Holes are dangerous to nesting moms, hatchlings, and the Conservancy’s team!
- TURN OFF BEACH FRONT HOUSE LIGHTS – Brightly-lit houses can disorient moms and hatchlings.
- REPORT ANY TURTLE ACTIVITY – Call (910) 457-0089 x 5. If you think someone is doing something illegal, do not approach; call 911.
During turtle season, BHI Conservancy personnel are patrolling the beach nightly, monitoring sea turtle nests, and doing important research that contributes to the protection and preservation of this endangered species. Please allow them to do their work by maintaining a distance from personnel. They have special permits to do this conservation work and are allowed to use UTVs on the beach.
The public’s adherence to Village ordinances and BHI Conservancy tips is appreciated and is what makes the Conservancy’s Sea Turtle Protection Program so successful year after year. Please do your part and help others do their part by reminding them.
If you think someone is doing something illegal, do not approach; call 911 immediately and be prepared to provide as many details as possible.
Alligators on BHI
Alligator mating season for gators in southeast North Carolina is in May and June. This could cause a rise in gator activity on the island, they may start congregating together during the breeding season. As with all wildlife on Bald Head Island, you should admire them from a distance.
Here is some specific guidance related to alligators:
- Fishing and swimming are prohibited in all lagoons and freshwater ponds on BHI.
- Do NOT feed alligators. It is a violation of Village ordinance, state, and federal laws. Feeding alligators causes them to lose their natural fear of humans. Alligators that are fed are more likely to attack pets and humans.
- Do not leave children or pets unattended in areas where alligators live.
- Alligators can jump 4 feet vertically out of the water. Observe them from a safe distance (20 feet or more away).
- A $500 fine will be issued to anyone found feeding or harassing alligators.
Seeing an alligator is not a cause for alarm or a reason to call 911. In most cases, alligators remain shy and secretive and will move when they are ready. More information HERE.
Next Regular Council Meeting
The next regular Village Council Meeting is Friday, May 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The agenda will be posted HERE. Zoom information to listen in remotely can be found HERE.
BHI Yacht Club 2025 Summer Concert Series
The BHI Yacht Club 2025 Summer Concert Series kicks off on May 28. The Village is a sponsor and will have a law enforcement presence and even our own booth! Come say hi! These events will take place at Marina Park from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., mostly on Wednesdays. Posters are going up soon!
Hurricane Community Forum & Public Safety Day
Details are forthcoming, but the dates are locked in for a Hurricane Community Forum and our annual Public Safety Day!
The Hurricane Community forum is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, at 10:00 a.m. It will take place in the Department of Public Safety’s multi-purpose room (recorded for folks who cannot attend). This year’s Public Safety Day will be on Friday, June 27, and will take place at Marina Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.