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Sunset Beach workshop earmarks additional one‑time funds for roads, stormwater and dredging
Summary
Council directed staff to prepare an FY27 budget that increases one‑time allocations for roads (proposal to reach about $1 million), stormwater (proposed increase to roughly $730,000) and dredging (increase proposed to $200,000), recommending use of fund balance and POW (power bill) funds to bridge the gap.
Sunset Beach — During its May 14 budget workshop the council and staff reviewed capital priorities and agreed on draft direction to shift one‑time resources toward roads, stormwater and dredging as part of a revised FY27 budget package.
Staff explained the town’s current POW (power‑bill) fund balance sits at roughly $571,000 and that projected incoming POW funds for the year are about $207,000; staff also reported $931,372 remaining to collect on prior dredging assessments. The council heard a road survey and staff proposals that highlighted several high‑priority streets (Old Point, Clubhouse, 27th Street). Staff estimated immediate patching and striping quotes at roughly $47,000, plus $150,000 in a facilities paving line item; council discussed whether to consolidate paving work for cost efficiency.
After debate councilmembers expressed support for a meaningful increase in road funding and directed staff to prepare a final budget that assumes an additional ~$600,000 for roads (bringing a roads fund target roughly to $1 million), an additional ~$500,000 for stormwater projects (raising that fund to about $730,000), and a dredging fund deposit of $200,000. The council discussed using a measured drawdown of unassigned fund balance (staff cited an audited unassigned fund balance of $11,787,317, which equated to 106.55% of the general fund at 6/30/2025) and reducing that ratio toward a 95% policy level to free approximately $1.2 million for these priorities.
Council asked for one‑page summaries from public works identifying what roads or stormwater catchments the proposed increases would fund and for a clear statement of the source of funds (POW funds, fund balance forward, or other). Staff said the FY27 budget as presented is balanced as‑is but that the council’s requested reallocation and fund‑balance adjustment would be reflected in a revised proposal for public hearing.
The council did not appropriate the funds at the workshop; staff will return with updated revenue and appropriation numbers prior to a public hearing.
