Sunset Beach council approves resolution to begin process for fee-supported canal maintenance district

The Town of Sunset Beach on Aug. 4 voted to enter a resolution establishing a fee-supported Canal Dredging and Maintenance District and to authorize staff to solicit requests for qualifications from engineering and consulting firms.

Town attorney Richardson told the council the resolution “does not commit you to per unit, per parcel, per linear foot, or any other measurement for fees” and is a procedural step required by state law to begin engineering and maintenance analysis. He said engineering studies will determine whether canals should be consolidated into districts or handled individually and that the council can amend district boundaries later.

Resident Dana Reed urged the council to take no action on the draft resolution in its current form. “Please don’t pass that resolution,” Reed said, asking who recommended the areas being tied together, why Palm Cove was included, and requesting a 15-year dredging master plan, an engineering study and a citizen advisory group to review proposed districts and costs before any property owner assessments proceed.

Another resident, Jill Runyon of Palm Cove, said she sees no benefit to including Palm Cove because recent dredging stopped before that neighborhood and asked whether property owners there would be assessed for maintenance that would not directly benefit them.

Town Administrator Lisa Anglin and the town attorney described next steps: if the council passes the resolution staff will develop an RFQ for engineers to evaluate each canal, identify dredging needs, consider mitigation for grasses and other constraints, and recommend whether consolidation or separate districts are appropriate. Anglin said the RFQ process and selection of an engineer are expected to take months and that engineering findings and a scope would guide any future fee design.

Council members stressed the RFQ and later engineering work should include public engagement. Richardson said the town can require consultants to meet with affected residents and propose citizen-advisory arrangements as part of the contract.

The council voted to enter into the resolution and separately approved a motion granting Administrator Anglin authority to develop and solicit the RFQ. No fee formula or assessment method was adopted; the resolution begins the statutory process for studying and potentially creating one or more maintenance districts. The council noted that final fee-setting, district boundaries and any assessments would return to council for further action after engineering work and public input.

What’s next The town will draft an RFQ for engineering and consulting firms to evaluate dredging and maintenance needs, estimate costs, and recommend district boundaries and fee mechanisms. The council emphasized that the engineer will report to the town and engage affected residents; timelines for contractor selection were described as unlikely to conclude before the coming election cycle and the council said the contract award would likely be made by the subsequent council.