Sunset Beach council fills boards, approves public-works budget amendment and reviews parking revenues; resident calls voting-area changes 'gerrymandering'

The Town of Sunset Beach council on Sept. 8 handled a series of routine but consequential items: reappointment to the ABC board, appointments to the planning board and Board of Adjustment, approval of a public-works budget amendment, and reports on town projects and parking revenue.

Appointments and votes - Frank Eberhardt was reappointed to the ABC board after a motion and second and a voice vote in favor. - The council appointed Mike Bowman to fill an open seat on the planning board after competing nominations and a recorded motion and second. - Kurt Whalen was nominated and approved as the alternate member of the Board of Adjustment; councilmembers emphasized alternates should attend meetings and be prepared to vote if needed.

Budget amendment and public-works equipment Staff explained a budget amendment for public works to correct an equipment quote (the town expected a self-dumping bed but the original quote listed a manual bed). Staff said the amendment draws from fund balance and will be covered later by proceeds from sales of surplus equipment. A councilmember moved to approve the amendment, a second was received, and the council approved the change.

Parking revenue and projects Town Administrator Lisa Engel reported paid-parking net proceeds from April 1 through Aug. 31 of $416,432 and reported expenditures of $149,588, leaving $266,844 to apply toward a $535,000 parking contract expenditure; she said a full breakdown is posted online. She also said notices to proceed have been issued for the Jenks Creek Realignment Project and Main Street parking and that contractors are mobilized; periodic lane closures are expected.

Public comment on voting-area changes Resident Karen Joseph (915 Sandpiper Bay Drive) told the council she was told there are now three voting areas for Sunset Beach and said, "I call that gerrymandering." Councilmembers said they were not aware of the decision details and agreed to follow up with the county Board of Elections to determine who made the changes and why.

What's next Staff will post ordinance and parking-revenue documents online and follow up on the voting-area question with county election officials. The council also scheduled potential discussion of county fire-fee proposals at a future meeting and noted the GSATS resolution will appear on the October agenda.