Indian Beach public meetings in 2025

November

The Board opened and closed a public hearing on a petition for annexation, then adopted the annexation ordinance, making it effective immediately. It also opened and closed a public hearing on changes to the Town’s Fire Ordinance and adopted those changes, including Carteret County’s fee schedule. All votes were unanimous, with Mayor Pro‑Tem Luther abstaining due to a conflict of interest.

• Opened public hearing on annexation petition (unanimous, Mayor Pro‑Tem abstained)
• Closed public hearing on annexation petition (unanimous, Mayor Pro‑Tem abstained)
• Adopted annexation ordinance extending corporate limits (unanimous, Mayor Pro‑Tem abstained)
• Opened public hearing on fire ordinance changes (unanimous)
• Closed public hearing on fire ordinance changes (unanimous)
• Adopted fire ordinance changes and County fee schedule (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of October 8, 2025 regular meeting (unanimous)
• Accepted Police Department report for October as presented (unanimous)

October

The board approved the minutes from the August 13 and September 10 meetings and accepted the police, fire, and public works reports for August and September. It approved a resolution adopting the Carteret County Comprehensive Transportation Plan, which includes a third bridge and a bike/ped path, passing 2‑1. The board also approved $15,000 from the fire reserve, set a November 12, 2025 public hearing on fire‑ordinance changes, approved a $23,212 contract with Arendell Engineers for the Sea Isle walkway, and directed the clerk to investigate a voluntary annexation petition while scheduling a November 12 hearing for it. Additionally, the board approved an agreement with Carteret County for fire inspections.

• Approved August 13 and September 10 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Accepted police, fire, and public works reports for August‑September (unanimous)
• Approved Carteret County Comprehensive Transportation Plan resolution (2‑1)
• Approved $15,000 fire reserve funding request (unanimous)
• Set Nov 12, 2025 public hearing on fire ordinance changes (unanimous)
• Approved $23,212 contract with Arendell Engineers for Sea Isle walkway (unanimous)
• Directed clerk to investigate annexation petition and set Nov 12, 2025 hearing (unanimous, Luther abstained)
• Approved agreement with Carteret County for fire inspections (unanimous)

September

The Board of Commissioners did not have a quorum, so the adoption of the Carteret County Comprehensive Transportation Plan and all new business items were deferred. Each item will be reconsidered at the next meeting on October 8, 2025.

• Adoption of Comprehensive Transportation Plan postponed
• Request for Fire Reserve Funds postponed
• Public hearing for fire ordinance changes postponed
• Arendell Engineers contract for Sea Isle Beach Access postponed
• Resolution to investigate voluntary annexation petition postponed
• Resolution to set public hearing for voluntary annexation petition postponed

August

The commissioners unanimously appointed Mr. Herbert Barefoot as Chairman of the Indian Beach Planning Board. They also unanimously authorized the tax collector to collect 2025 property taxes, approved a $4,000 town contribution for the Ball Park Road paving project, and began the engineering process for the Sea Isle Beach Access Walkway replacement while planning to apply for a grant. Finally, the board unanimously approved budget amendments recognizing donations and calendar sales revenue.

• Appointed Herbert Barefoot as Planning Board Chairman (unanimous)
• Authorized tax collector to collect 2025 property taxes (unanimous)
• Approved $4,000 town contribution for Ball Park Rd paving (unanimous)
• Started engineering process for Sea Isle Beach Access Walkway replacement (unanimous)
• Approved budget amendments for donations and calendar revenue (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of the June 11, 2025 board meeting (unanimous)

2025 2026 Budget

The Board of Commissioners is considering a balanced budget of $3,226,162 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The proposal includes reducing the property tax rate from .34 cents to .24 cents per $100.

• Proposed General Fund budget of $3,113,204 and Beach Re-Nourishment budget of $112,958
• Reduction of Municipal Service Tax District 1 to .015 cents and District 2 to .005 cents
• Allocation of $92,000 to a Capital Reserve account
• Capital purchases for police department laptops and vehicle, public works side-by-side, and fire engine tires
• Allocation of $137,426 for debt service

6 11

The board approved a public hearing for comment on the 2025/2026 budget ordinance. It then adopted the budget ordinance itself, approved budget amendments for excess revenue and grant funds, and adopted a resolution opposing offshore drilling. All motions passed unanimously.

• Approved public hearing for comment on 2025/2026 budget ordinance (unanimous)
• Adopted 2025/2026 budget ordinance (unanimous)
• Approved budget amendments for excess revenue and grant funds (unanimous)
• Adopted resolution opposing offshore drilling (unanimous)

Signed Resolution Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing

The Board of Commissioners passed a resolution opposing the inclusion of new offshore oil and gas leasing and exploration, such as seismic blasting, off the coast of North Carolina. The town is requesting that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) exclude these areas from the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program.

• Resolution opposing new offshore oil and gas leasing in the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program
• Opposition to seismic blasting and exploration off the North Carolina coast
• Request for BOEM to prioritize coastal economies and ecosystems

5 21

The Board of Commissioners heard Town Manager White present the proposed 2025/2026 budget, budget message, and budget ordinance. Discussion focused on the tax revaluation and the recommended tax rate for 2025. No motions were made and the meeting adjourned without any approvals, denials, or other actions.

5 14

The board approved the April meeting minutes and appointed Caryl Holoman to the Planning Board. It adopted the Pamlico Sound Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan required by FEMA. The board awarded storm‑debris contracts to State Tree Service (primary) and DRC Emergency Services (secondary). It also set a special meeting for May 21 and a public hearing for June 11 on the 2025/2026 budget.

• Approved April meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Appointed Caryl Holoman to Planning Board (unanimous)
• Adopted Pamlico Sound Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan (unanimous)
• Awarded storm‑debris contracts to State Tree Service and DRC Emergency Services (unanimous)
• Scheduled special meeting for May 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. (unanimous)
• Scheduled public hearing for June 11, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. (unanimous)

4 9

The Board of Commissioners approved the March 12, 2025 meeting minutes. A budget amendment to record gator sales, increase interest earnings, and fund a replacement mower was approved unanimously. The Board voted unanimously to forgo $3,000 repairs on a surplus 2014 police Ram 1500 and defer a replacement decision to May. The budget discussion was tabled to the May 14, 2025 meeting, also unanimously. Finally, the Pamlico Sound Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan was adopted on May 14, 2025.

• Approved March 12, 2025 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved Budget Amendment for interest earnings, gator sale proceeds, and $10,799 mower purchase (unanimous)
• Approved not to spend $3,000 on repair of surplus 2014 police Ram 1500 (unanimous)
• Tabled Budget Discussion to May 14, 2025 meeting (unanimous)
• Adopted Pamlico Sound Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan (May 14, 2025)

3 12

The Indian Beach Town Board unanimously approved a resolution requesting the state to restore local zoning authority, which was limited by Senate Bill 382. They also approved a budget amendment for fire department HVAC repairs and a resolution supporting the NCBIWA beach management plan update. All decisions were unanimous.

• Approved resolution supporting NCBIWA beach and inlet management plan update (unanimous)
• Approved budget amendment for fire department HVAC repairs (unanimous)
• Approved resolution requesting restoration of local zoning authority (unanimous)

Debris Removal Contract 2025

The Town of Indian Beach is soliciting sealed bids for Phase II debris removal, covering vegetative and construction/demolition debris from roads, beaches, and public property. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for March 20, 2025, with bids due April 3, 2025. The Town intends to award a primary and secondary contract to the lowest responsible bidders. The contract period is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

• Sealed bids due April 3, 2025 for Phase II debris removal
• Pre-bid conference March 20, 2025 at Town Hall
• Estimated debris volumes: 31,771 cy C&D curbside, 4,050 cy C&D beach, 17,365 cy vegetative
• Insurance requirements: $1M general liability, $1M vehicle, $2M umbrella; workers' comp
• Disposal locations: Coastal Environmental Partnership landfill (Tuscarora) or Green Recycling Solutions (Maysville)

Budget Retreat 2 17

The Annual Commissioners Planning Retreat served as a reporting and discussion session for town departments. No formal votes were taken or final decisions made; the meeting focused on proposed equipment needs, staffing goals, and future budget workshops.

2 12

The Indian Beach Town Board approved two contracts: Sharpe & Patel's audit contract and Johnson Environmental's contract, both passed unanimously. The board also received administrative updates, including a $14,000 county grant for fire hose replacement and the start of Ocean Club Beach Access Boardwalk construction on February 24, 2025. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved Sharpe & Patel audit contract (unanimous)
• Approved Johnson Environmental contract (unanimous)

2025 Audit

The Board of Commissioners is reviewing the town's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. The independent auditor, SharpePatel, issued an unqualified opinion, meaning the statements fairly present the town's financial position in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management's discussion and analysis provides an overview of financial activities, including pension liabilities and required supplementary information.

• Unqualified audit opinion issued for FY2025 financial statements
• Audit conducted by SharpePatel in accordance with GAAS and Government Auditing Standards
• Required supplementary information includes pension liability schedules for LGERS and Law Enforcement Separation Allowance
• Management's discussion and analysis highlights key financial activities and trends
• Compliance report issued with no material weaknesses or findings reported

1 8 2025

The town board met and approved the minutes from the November 13, 2024 meeting. The town manager reported that FEMA has approved the revised flood plan ordinance, keeping Indian Beach in the National Flood Insurance Program. Property tax collections for November and December totaled $857,570.78. No old or new business was discussed, and the meeting adjourned at 5:36 p.m.

• Approved minutes of November 13, 2024 Regular Meeting
• Accepted Police Department report for December as presented
• Accepted Fire Department report for December as presented
• Accepted Public Works report for December as presented