Kure Beach adopts FY26-27 budget with tax, utility and fee increases; council approves consent items

Kure Beach Mayor Allen Oliver presided over a June 15 meeting in which the Town Council unanimously adopted the FY26-27 budget ordinance and an accompanying fee schedule. Finance Officer Arlen Copenhaver told the council the adopted property tax rate is 19.5 cents per $100 of assessed value — a 2.3-cent (13.4%) increase — and that the budget includes several fee and rate changes intended to cover capital needs and operating costs.

Copenhaver said the budget includes a 35.3% increase to the garbage collection fee and a 14.7% increase to the recycling collection fee. The Water and Sewer Fund includes a 10% increase to the water & sewer minimum charge and a 20% increase to usage-based rate tiers; capital projects listed include $640,000 for water and sewer and $485,500 for general fund capital projects. The FY26-27 package also provides a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment and a 1.5% merit pool for full-time employees and notes a new 2.4% state-mandated NC State Health Plan surcharge.

Council members voted on a single motion to adopt the budget ordinance and then adopted the fee schedule; MPT David Heglar moved the budget items and Commissioner Byron Ashbridge seconded. The vote was unanimous.

Votes at a glance (consent and related approvals): - Consent agenda approved (motion: MPT David Heglar; second: Commissioner Byron Ashbridge; vote: unanimous). Consent items included ratification of a repair services agreement with North State Resurfacing Co.; Budget Amendment 26-04 ($24,750 for Community Center HVAC replacement); Budget Amendment 26-05 ($15,000 for additional paid-parking program costs); Budget Amendment 26-06 ($11,600 for Council Room HVAC replacement); Budget Amendment 26-07 ($3,000 for Council travel/training and dues/subscriptions); Budget Amendment 26-08 ($16,150 to increase lifeguard pay rates for the 2026 season); and Resolution R26-05 (Local Water Supply Plan). All were approved as part of the consent agenda. - The Marketing Committee budget was presented during committee business and later approved by council action (see separate committee item). - Commissioner Connie Mearkle moved and MPT David Heglar seconded the appointment of Erica Walters as Finance Officer effective upon the retirement of Arlen Copenhaver; the council approved the hire unanimously. The employment start is contingent upon Copenhaver’s retirement; Walters’ salary was listed at $127,472.00.

Why it matters: the package raises recurring rates and fees that will affect residential utility bills and town service charges; it also funds capital projects and modest staff pay adjustments. Council members described several line items during the presentation but voted to adopt the ordinance and fee schedule without amendment.

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.