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Kure Beach adopts budget calendar, declares State of Emergency ahead of winter storm
Summary
Council unanimously adopted the FY2026 budget calendar (workshops April 6 and April 20; public hearing June 8) and unanimously declared a State of Emergency effective Feb. 4, 2026 to align with New Hanover County; department heads presented capital requests including paving, police vehicles and equipment.
At its Jan. 30 retreat, the Kure Beach Town Council voted unanimously to adopt the FY2026 budget calendar and later unanimously declared a State of Emergency effective noon on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2026, in coordination with New Hanover County.
MPT David Heglar moved to adopt the budget calendar, specifying a first workshop on April 6, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., a second workshop on April 20, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., and a public hearing on June 8, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Byron Ashbridge and passed unanimously.
Later in the retreat Heglar moved that the Town declare a State of Emergency to mirror the county declaration for the projected winter storm; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Connie Mearkle and approved unanimously. The minutes show the emergency declaration but do not record operational orders beyond the declaration itself.
Department heads used the retreat to flag capital needs that will inform the budget process: Public Works proposed a paving program (~$500,000), a new service truck (~$60,000), a $1,000,000 contingency for sewer relining and repairs and a robotic camera (~$100,000). Police Chief Brandon Bailey requested two vehicles ($150,000), VC3 IT support ($13,000), a uniform budget increase ($5,000), a Flock camera system ($9,600), Axon Taser contract funds ($7,500) and additional travel/training funds ($2,000). Recreation reported that the Ocean Front Park playground replacement came in under budget and recommended budgeting to complete Joe Eakes Park design work next year.
Next steps: With the calendar adopted, staff will carry department requests into workshop discussions in April and return cost/prioritization recommendations for Council decisions. The emergency declaration remains in effect as adopted pending any further Council direction.
