Emerald Isle public meetings in 2025

Board of Commissioners

The Commissioners will vote on resolutions and a budget amendment to acquire the 9201 Coast Guard Road parcel for a future fire station, including a just‑compensation deposit and reimbursement using debt proceeds. They will also adopt a consent agenda that includes a pornography‑blocking resolution, an amendment to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Fund ordinance, and the 2026 meeting schedule. Additional items include presentations of marathon and fire‑department fundraiser proceeds and updates on wildlife management plans.

• Resolution and General Fund budget amendment to acquire 9201 Coast Guard Road for a new fire station, increase just‑compensation deposit, and reimburse expenditures with debt proceeds
• Presentation of $50,000 net marathon proceeds – $25,000 to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Fund and $25,000 to the Crystal Coast Cancer Rehab Center
• Presentation of $738 fire‑department T‑shirt sales proceeds to Little Pink Houses of Hope
• Consent agenda items: resolution prohibiting pornography on town networks, amendment to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Fund ordinance, adoption of 2026 regular meeting schedules
• Updates on wildlife management: Deer depredation plan and coyote trapping plan

The Board adopted its agenda and consent agenda unanimously. A resolution raising the just compensation for the 9201 Coast Guard Road property from $1,255,000 to $1,305,000 was approved 5‑0. Jason Holland was elected Mayor Pro‑Tem by a 3‑2 vote. Additional actions included a general‑fund budget amendment, a debt‑reimbursement resolution, and appointments to the Audit Committee and EC Council.

• Adopted agenda (5-0)
• Adopted consent agenda (5-0)
• Increased just compensation to $1,305,000 (5-0)
• Approved general‑fund budget amendment (5-0)
• Adopted resolution to reimburse expenditures with debt (5-0)
• Elected Jason Holland as Mayor Pro‑Tem (3-2)
• Appointed Mayor Lagos, Commissioner Brownlow, and Commissioner Plum to Audit Committee (unanimous)
• Appointed Commissioner Sanderson to Eastern Carolina Council of Governments board (unanimous)

Planning Board

The Planning Board will meet to approve minutes from July 2025 and receive a training refresher on the roles of the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment. The board will also review the September 2025 Planning Department report.

• Approval of July 28, 2025 meeting minutes
• Planning Board and Board of Adjustment training refresher
• September 2025 Planning Department Report
• Discussion of potential N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program grant for March 2026
• Status updates on 48 public nuisance case files

Board of Commissioners

The Board will vote on a resolution to friendly condemn the parcel at 9201 Coast Guard Road. It will also adopt the Carteret County Comprehensive Transportation Plan after a presentation and public hearing. A consent agenda will approve the September 9 meeting minutes and amend rules on special use permits. The fire department will receive recognition for completing the NCLM Fire Service Risk Assessment.

• Resolution adopting Carteret County Comprehensive Transportation Plan
• Resolution authorizing friendly condemnation of property at 9201 Coast Guard Road
• Consent agenda: adoption of September 9 minutes and amendment to special use permit rules
• Presentation of NCLM Fire Service Risk Assessment (no formal action)
• Introduction of four new police officers

The Board adopted a resolution authorizing the friendly condemnation of a 2‑acre tract at 9201 Coast Guard Road, voting 5‑0. It also adopted the Carteret County Comprehensive Transportation Plan and the consent agenda, each with unanimous votes. Additionally, three members were appointed to the Board of Adjustment for one‑year terms.

• Adopted agenda (5-0)
• Adopted consent agenda (5-0)
• Adopted Carteret County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (5-0)
• Approved resolution authorizing friendly condemnation of property at 9201 Coast Guard Road (5-0)
• Appointed Andrew Frick as 1-year regular member of Board of Adjustment (5-0)
• Appointed Tim Kinch as 1-year alternate member of Board of Adjustment (5-0)
• Appointed Mark Wicker as 1-year regular member of Board of Adjustment (5-0)
• Adjourned meeting (5-0)

Board of Commissioners

The Emerald Isle Board will consider a consent agenda that includes a resolution for an installment purchase agreement with Stryker Sales, Inc. for heart monitors and medical equipment service. Commissioners will vote on a resolution authorizing a street resurfacing contract with Onslow Grading and Paving, Inc. and a related General Fund budget amendment. An ordinance amending Chapter 9 – Nuisances to clarify provisions regarding unsafe buildings will also be discussed.

• Resolution authorizing installment purchase agreement with Stryker Sales, Inc. for heart monitors
• Resolution authorizing street resurfacing contract with Onslow Grading and Paving, Inc.
• Budget amendment to the General Fund for the street resurfacing package
• Ordinance amending Chapter 9 – Nuisances to clarify unsafe building provisions
• Proposed new roundabout flagpole

The Board unanimously approved a $286,776 contract with Coastline Contracting, Inc. to resurface about 1.9 miles of town streets and adopted the accompanying General Fund budget amendment. An ordinance amending Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances to clarify unsafe‑building provisions was also adopted unanimously. The Commissioners reached consensus to install a new 35‑40 ft flagpole in the roundabout, relocating the existing egret sculpture. Appointments were made to fill one Planning Board vacancy and several Board of Adjustment seats, with the remaining Board of Adjustment appointment and term designations tabled until the next meeting.

• Adopted agenda as presented (5-0)
• Adopted consent agenda, including resolution for heart monitor purchase (5-0)
• Authorized $286,776 street resurfacing contract with Coastline Contracting, Inc. (5-0)
• Adopted General Fund budget amendment for street resurfacing (5-0)
• Adopted ordinance amending Chapter 9 – Nuisances to clarify unsafe building provisions (5-0)
• Reached consensus to install new 35‑40 ft flagpole in roundabout, relocating egret sculpture (consensus)
• Appointed Scott Bookout to Planning Board vacancy (4-1)
• Accepted Board of Adjustment ballot results and tabled remaining appointment and term determination (4-1)

Board of Commissioners

The Emerald Isle Board adopted its agenda and consent agenda, authorizing purchase of two police vehicles. It approved three Unified Development Ordinance amendments: allowing replacement of non‑conforming decks, exempting dead‑tree removal from permit requirements, and defining removal of hazardous vehicles. The Board also re‑appointed Pastor Clay Olsen to the Parks and Recreation Association and tabled other board appointments until September.

• Adopted agenda (5-0)
• Adopted consent agenda, authorizing purchase of two police vehicles (5-0)
• Approved ordinance amendment to replace legally nonconforming decks (5-0)
• Approved ordinance amendment exempting dead‑tree removal from permit requirements (4-0)
• Approved ordinance amendment defining removal of hazardous vehicles (4-0)
• Tabled Planning Board and Board of Adjustment appointments, proceeded with Parks appointment (4-0)
• Re‑appointed Pastor Clay Olsen to EI Parks and Recreation Association (unanimous)
• Introduced two new full‑time police officers Nathan Barker and Riley Klein

Board of Commissioners

The Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners approved a design‑build contract with D.R. Reynolds Company for the new Fire Station 2 (4‑0). They also authorized a $2,500 donation to the 2025 Carteret County Veterans Day Parade (4‑0) and adopted a resolution supporting county wayfinding sign improvements (4‑0). The Board adopted the consent agenda, the meeting agenda, and tabbed the Board of Adjustment appointments until the August 12 meeting (all 4‑0).

• Excused Mayor Pro‑Tem Mark Taylor from the meeting (4‑0)
• Adopted the agenda as presented (4‑0)
• Adopted consent agenda items, including tax levy order and other resolutions (4‑0, one abstention)
• Donated $2,500 to the 2025 Carteret County Veterans Day Parade (4‑0)
• Adopted resolution supporting Carteret County Tourism Development Authority wayfinding sign improvements (4‑0)
• Approved design‑build contract for new Fire Station 2 with D.R. Reynolds Company (4‑0)
• Tabled Board of Adjustment appointments until August 12, 2025 (4‑0)
• Adjourned the meeting (4‑0)

Bike & Pedestrian Committee

The committee discussed fundraising results, ideas for the 2026 Bike the Banks event, and possible rules for electric devices on the bike path. No formal approvals, denials, or policy changes were recorded. The meeting was adjourned by motion.

• Motion to adjourn passed

Board of Commissioners

The Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners adopted the FY 2025‑26 Budget Ordinance (Version B) with a 10.5% general‑fund tax rate. The Board also adopted the FY 2025‑26 Fee Schedule, the 5‑Year Capital Replacement/Improvement Plan, and the FY 2025‑26 Pay Plan. Proposed UDO amendments and revised rules for the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment were approved, and four members were appointed to the Planning Board.

• Adopt FY 2025‑26 Budget Ordinance (Version B, 10.5% tax rate) – vote 3‑0 (Sanderson excused)
• Adopt FY 2025‑26 Fee Schedule – vote 3‑0 (Sanderson excused)
• Adopt 5‑Year Capital Replacement/Improvement Plan – vote 3‑0 (Sanderson excused)
• Adopt FY 2025‑26 Pay Plan – vote 3‑0 (Sanderson excused)
• Adopt proposed UDO amendments for Planning Board and Board of Adjustment – vote 4‑0
• Adopt revised Planning Board Rules of Procedure – vote 4‑0
• Adopt revised Board of Adjustment Rules of Procedure – vote 4‑0
• Appointed Jim Dubovec, Kris Plum, Kenny Sullivan, and Bill Little to the Planning Board (ballot results)

Board of Commissioners

The Emerald Isle Board approved a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment and a $15‑per‑hour minimum wage for all town employees, to be financed by a .25‑cent property‑tax increase. The Board also approved a motion to advertise a public hearing on the FY 25‑26 budget and formally excused two absent officials while adopting the meeting agenda. No formal actions were taken on fund‑balance, sales‑tax distribution, or capital‑project funding options.

• Excused Mayor Holland and Commissioner Sawyer from the meeting (4‑0)
• Adopted agenda as presented (4‑0)
• Approved 3% COLA and $15 minimum wage for all town employees, funded by .25‑cent tax increase (4‑0)
• Approved motion to advertise public hearing for FY 25‑26 budget (4‑0)
• Adjourned meeting (4‑0)
• Fund balance discussion – no formal action taken
• Sales‑tax distribution discussion – no formal action taken
• Capital‑project funding options discussion – no formal action taken

Board of Commissioners

The Commissioners voted 4-0 to renew the town's lease with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the sublease with the Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority. They also adopted a resolution supporting Carteret County's Coast Guard Community designation and adopted the Pamlico Sound Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The planning board and board of adjustment appointments were tabled until the June 10 meeting, and a budget workshop was scheduled for May 20.

• Approved NCDOT lease renewal (4-0)
• Approved sublease renewal with Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority (4-0)
• Adopted Resolution of Support to Renew Carteret County's Coast Guard Community designation (4-0)
• Adopted Pamlico Sound Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution (4-0)
• Tabled Planning Board and Board of Adjustment appointments (4-0)
• Adopted Consent Agenda (4-0)
• Adopted meeting agenda (4-0)
• Scheduled Budget Workshop special meeting for May 20 (unanimous)

Bike & Pedestrian Committee

The committee met for about 30 minutes, welcomed new members and the interim Town Manager, and presented a service gift to Drew Conekin. Members reviewed detailed plans for the Bike the Banks event on May 3, covering volunteers, insurance, signage, snacks, and other logistics. No formal approvals, votes, or actions were recorded.

Board of Commissioners

The Board adopted the meeting agenda and consent agenda unanimously. It approved a motion requiring any future elected or reelected official to complete the UNC School of Government’s “Essentials of Municipal Government” ethics training, passing 4‑1. The Board also dissolved the Golf Cart Advisory Committee and the Dog Park Committee, each by a 5‑0 vote, and made several committee appointments, including appointing Judy Starke to the Bike & Pedestrian Committee (5‑0) and Maury Gailey (3‑2).

• Adopt agenda (5-0)
• Adopt consent agenda (5-0)
• Require officials to complete municipal ethics training (4-1)
• Dissolve Golf Cart Advisory Committee (5-0)
• Appoint Judy Starke to Bike & Pedestrian Committee (5-0)
• Appoint Maury Gailey to Bike & Pedestrian Committee (3-2)
• Table Planning Board and Board of Adjustment appointments (5-0)
• Dissolve Dog Park Committee (5-0)