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Atlantic Beach reports healthy reserves, advances dredging, boardwalk and water-plant steps
Summary
Finance staff said the town's unassigned fund balance is about 60% (above the 35% target). Council approved steps toward a mid-May dredging project with a planned $150,000 NCDWR grant and $50,000 local match, authorized surveying for a 200-foot pier at the bridge abutment and agreed to hire engineers for Circle bathhouse/boardwalk design ahead of a CAMA variance application.
Finance Director Chelsea Humphrey told the council at the Jan. 7 retreat that the town's unassigned fund balance is roughly 60 percent of the general fund, exceeding the 35 percent reserve requirement and giving the town flexibility to pursue capital projects.
Staff outlined several near-term capital actions. For dredging the town plans a January pre-dredge survey, a Dredging Committee meeting in early February and contractor work by mid-May; staff intends to apply for the standard NCDWR grant of $150,000 with a $50,000 local match and may use roughly $16,000 in unspent funds rolled over from the prior year to increase project scope.
Bridge abutment Phase 3 contracts with NV5 for surveying are executed; surveying must be completed before engineering for a proposed 200-foot, 10-foot-wide pier can begin. Council indicated interest in at least portable restroom facilities at the pier site.
For boardwalk and Circle improvements the council discussed Phase 3 (brickwork, a new bathhouse and a stage). Because of Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) setback requirements the Circle bathhouse may require a variance (a process that could take up to six months). Council agreed by consensus to hire an engineering firm to produce designs that address elevation, septic capacity and staging, and to then seek grant funding and any necessary CAMA approvals.
Other fiscal details included property tax revenue gains following the county revaluation (average property values up 4050 percent), a planned Ocean Ridge paving project estimated at $420,000 to be phased over multiple years, smaller patching projects of $30,000$40,000, and stormwater lift-station replacements estimated at about $60,000 each funded from a stormwater reserve of roughly $1.3 million. The town's solid-waste contract with GFL expires June 2026; GFL has offered a five-year extension at current rates and staff will compare regional rates before recommending action.
