What's inside this issue?

• BHA's 2024 Annual Meeting Saturday, January 27, 9:00am in the Public Safety Complex multipurpose room and online via Zoom — proxy deadline January 24, 4:00pm / vote by ballot only on Saturday, January 27, from 9:00-10:00am and must be received by 10:00am to be counted / Smith Island Social RSVP deadline extended to Wednesday, January 24.
• Village of BHI's 2024 G.O. Bond Referendum — helpful links, important dates and voting information.
• 2024 proposed homeowners insurance increase — public comment period.
• BHA 2024 assessments due February 15, 2024.
• BHA calling for volunteers.
• Don't miss — January Island Report.
• Events.
• BHA quick links (ARC and BHA committees) and Board meetings.
• Handy Bald Head Island website links.

BHA's 2024 Annual Meeting

Saturday, January 27, 9:00am

Public Safety Complex Multipurpose Room

and Online Via Zoom

• Proxy deadline Wednesday, January 24, 4:00pm
• Vote by ballot only on Saturday, January 27, from 9:00-10:00am and must be received by 10:00am to be counted
• Smith Island Social RSVP deadline is extended to Wednesday, January 24

BHA's Annual Meeting is coming soon — Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 9:00am in the Public Safety Complex multipurpose room (273 Edward Teach Ext.). Make plans to join us in-person or online. Your mailed copy of BHA's 2023 Annual Report packet is in a white, catalog envelope and contains your unique voter registration ID on the front cover, proxy, voting details and more. Note the proxy deadline of Wednesday, January 24, 4:00pm. Most answers to questions can be found on the resource button links at the bottom of this section. For additional assistance, call 910-457-4676, ext. 21.

Ballots

The ballot is available only on Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 9:00-10:00am during the Annual Meeting. All ballots must be received by 10:00am on January 27, 2024, to be counted. Email Diane Mesaris or call 910-457-4676, ext. 21 with any questions.

The ballot is available only during that time here:

1. BHA's website HERE.
2. Online voting link HERE (input your unique voter registration code from the label on the front cover of your 2023 Annual Report or call 910-457-4676, ext. 21 for assistance).
3. At the Annual Meeting in the multipurpose room at the Public Safety Complex (273 Edward Teach Ext.).
4. At BHA's office (111 Lighthouse Wynd).
5. Email Diane Mesaris.

Smith Island Social RSVP Deadline Extended

to Wednesday, January 24, and something new

this year ~ a silent auction for the new Pollinator Garden

Join us for the annual Smith Island Social on Saturday, January 27, 6:00pm at the BHI Club. New this year will be a silent auction to benefit the new Pollinator Garden in the Harbour. We've been told that there are some amazing items to bid on! Contact the BHI Club for reservations — use your Club App, call 910-477-5010 or email diningres@bhiclub.net. 

Annual Meeting Web Page, FAQs and Parking Map at Public Safety Complex

For all Annual Meeting resources, such as the online voting link and tips, candidate biographies, the candidate forum recording and more, click on the first button below. For answers to frequently asked questions and online voting instructions, click on that button below. To help with parking areas for those planning to attend in person, see the parking map link below.

Village of BHI's 2024 G.O. Bond Referendum

Vote on Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Brief Background

The Village of Bald Head Island is planning for a coastal storm damage reduction (CSDR) project in the winter of 2024-25. The full project as proposed will use Jay Bird Shoals to supply the project with approximately 1 million cubic yards of beach-quality sand. The sand will be placed east of the terminal groin along South Beach, down through the area where the sand tube groins are installed. It will restart east of Muscadine Wynd and will fill to the east end of the Shoals Club.

Read more about the background, with additional resources and quick links for the December Town Hall video and slides, an overview article, statements of disclosure and more on the Village's 2024 Bond Referendum web page HERE.

A Bond Referendum

A bond referendum is a voting process that gives voters the power to decide if a municipality should be authorized to raise funds through the sale of bonds, for specific purposes. A general obligation (G.O.) bond is long-term borrowing in which a municipality pledges its full faith and credit (taxing power) to repay the debt over a specified term. G.O. bonds are the least costly financing option available to the Village to finance major capital costs and offer significant savings to taxpayers over the repayment period. 

During the upcoming March 5, 2024, primary Bald Head Island voters will be able to vote YES or NO on two questions. To read the questions, click HERE.

Questions?

The Village is still taking questions. Please send them to GOBOND@villagebhi.org.

The questions and answers will be posted on the 2024 Bond Referendum web page (click on the button below) and will be updated as more questions are received. The questions are being separated by category (finance/tax, shoreline and bond referendum).

Important Dates:

January 15, 2024 – Absentee ballots for the bond referendum will be available.

February 3, 2024 — Residency deadline.

February 9, 2024 – Last day to register to vote in the referendum.*

February 15, 2024 – Early voting period starts.

February 27, 2024 – Absentee ballot request deadline (5:00pm).*

March 2, 2024 – Early voting period ends.

March 5, 2024 – The referendum will take place. Absentee ballot return deadline is 7:30pm.*

By March 15, 2024 – Canvass of returns by Board of Elections.

* Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.

Voting and Residency

As of January 2, 2024, there are 381 people registered to vote in BHI elections. If you live on Bald Head Island full-time or part-time, you may want to review the voting requirements and determine WHERE you want to exercise your voting rights.

According to the Brunswick County Board of Elections, “The residency qualification to register to vote in a municipality or county is that the persons registering must have, by the time of the election, resided in that municipality or county for at least 30 days with the intent to make that county, municipality, precinct, ward, or other election district a permanent place of abode.” The residency deadline is Saturday, February 3, 2024. (Read Brunswick County's "Clarification on Voter Residency Requirements" HERE.) For the Brunswick County Board of Elections web page, click HERE.

2024 Proposed Homeowners Insurance Increase

In its January 5, 2024, press release, the NC Department of Insurance (NCDOI) stated, "Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced that the North Carolina Rate Bureau (NCRB) filed a rate filing with the North Carolina Department of Insurance on Wednesday asking for an average statewide increase in homeowners’ insurance rates of 42.2%. The Rate Bureau has asked for the rates to become effective August 1, 2024."

The NCRB's proposed increase is 99.4% for the territory including beach areas in Brunswick County, which would include Bald Head Island. Click HERE for the 2024 territories with the NCRB proposed rate increase.

Click HERE for the full NCDOI press release announcing the NCRB's rate filing and explaining the public comment period. There are four ways the public can provide comments:

• A public comment forum will be held to listen to public input on the NCRB’s rate increase request at the NCDOI’s Jim Long Hearing Room on January 22 from 10:00am to 4:30pm. The Jim Long Hearing Room is in the Albemarle Building, 325 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603.
• A virtual public comment forum will be held simultaneously with the in-person forum on January 22 from 10:00am to 4:30pm. Click HERE for the link to this virtual forum.
• Emailed public comments should be sent by February 2 to: 2024Homeowners@ncdoi.gov.
• Written public comments must be received by Kimberly W. Pearce, Paralegal III, by February 2 and addressed to 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1201.

Click HERE to read the CBS17 article "Detailed list of NC home rate increase plan by cities, counties from insurance companies."

BHA News

BHA's 2024 Assessments Due February 15, 2024

BHA's 2024 assessments are due February 15, 2024. The mailed coupon contains an incorrect due date. BHA allows a 30-day grace period for assessments, so late fees and interest do not begin to accrue on outstanding balances until March 15, 2024. BHA apologizes for the error and any confusion it may have caused. Thank you to all who have already paid!

BHA Calling for Volunteers!

Much of what Bald Head Association accomplishes is a direct result of the contribution of its volunteers. BHA has a consistent need for new energy to be fused into its six committees — Architectural Review (ARC), Finance, Resource Conservation and Beautification (RCB), Education and Recreation (ER), Long-Range Planning (LRP) and Community Wide Standards (CWS). The time commitment for individuals who volunteer on these committees for three-year terms varies widely and ranges from an occasional meeting to plan an event to regular, monthly meetings to review construction and landscaping submittals. BHA’s property owners’ time, talents, experience and desire to make a difference is what makes our committees work!

New property owners can find volunteering with BHA a fun way to get involved with and learn more about the BHI community, as well as meet fellow property owners. New and seasoned property owners — whether they live on BHI full-time or are part-time residents who aren’t on-Island as much as they’d like to be — can get involved since BHA holds its meetings in person and utilizing Zoom.

With new volunteer terms of service beginning in late January, we hope you’ll consider volunteering with BHA. You just might make new friends, have some fun and impact the quality of life found on BHI for generations to come. Click the button below for BHA's online committee volunteer application. Thank you!

Don't miss!

• Dive into your community — volunteer!
• BHA's 2023 Annual Report Packets, Annual Meeting, Voting and Smith Island Social.
• ARC — Design Guidelines 27th edition and decorative items in harmony with nature.
• Monthly ARC Quiz.
• President's Letter.
• BHI native plant series feature — sea oats.
• Letter to the editor — all property owners need to vote.
• 2024 BHA annual assessments.
• ARC improvement ad hoc committee update.
• Monthly contributors — the Village of BHI, Old Baldy Foundation and the BHI Conservancy.
• Plus much more!

Due to flooding in BHA's Association Center,

all activities are being temporarily relocated during renovations. For the latest updates, check our online event calendar for location information.

Project Longevity/Community Care

Community Meeting, Health Fair and Dinner

Friday, January 26, at 3:00pm

Public Safety Complex

Join Project Longevity/Community Care for its second community meeting on Friday, January 26, at 3:00pm at the Public Safety Complex (273 Edward Teach Ext.). Following the meeting will be a Health Fair in the bay area, and then Harper Peterson, owner of Jailhouse Provisions (251 Edward Teach Ext.), will be offering a specially priced menu for those attending the meeting. For any questions, contact Joan Maggio at joanmaggio.bhicare@gmail.com.

Public Service Auxiliary (PSA) Annual Meeting

Sunday, January 28, 1:00-2:00pm

Public Safety Complex

The annual meeting of the Public Service Auxiliary (PSA) will be on Sunday, January 28, from 1:00-2:00pm at the Public Safety Complex (273 Edward Teach Ext.). Current members of PSA are encouraged to attend, and anyone interested in volunteering for the PSA are welcome to attend. Many opportunities exist for all property owners. You do not need to be a full-time resident to volunteer for PSA. For questions, contact Cam McIntyre at cammacnc@gmail.com.

Community Potluck Dinner

Monday, February 12, 6:00pm

Relocated to the Public Safety Complex Multipurpose Room

Join us for the next Community Potluck Dinner on Monday, February 12, at 6:00pm. The event has been relocated to the Public Safety Complex multipurpose room (273 Edward Teach Ext.). All are invited!

Make new friends and join those you've known for years. For any questions, contact F.A. McLeod at faatbeach@gmail.com.

Picture Book Writing Retreat

May 3-5

Only 12 spaces available!

"Everyone has a story; what's yours?" Join Jenny Bowman, children's book author and editor for a

Picture Book Writing Retreat May 3-5. The retreat is open to 12 participants. Visit HERE to learn more about this special event on Bald Head Island. For questions, contact Betsi Stephen at betsistephen@gmail.com.

Yoga Classes

Relocated to BHI Bottle Shop

Yoga classes are taught by Pam Moulin on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:45am-1:00pm. The temporary location is the BHI Bottle Shop (2 Maritime Way). Thank you to Jordyn Matthews for donating space in the Bottle Shop for yoga classes!

Pam has 36 years of experience as a fitness instructor and 19 years of experience as a yoga instructor, and she's been teaching yoga on Bald Head Island for 13 years. All levels are welcome. Classes are $20, and participants must bring their own yoga mat. Pam requires that all participants show proof of vaccination against Covid-19. For all new participants, it's strongly suggested to email Pam beforehand (and let her know of any physical limitations) at pammoulin@ec.rr.com.

BHI Transportation

Announces Deadline of March 31, 2024,

for 2-part ("Old") Paper Ferry Tickets

According to BHI Transportation's announcement:

Bald Head Island Transportation will STOP accepting two-part (“old”) paper tickets after March 31, 2024. "Old" Bulk 40 tickets (only) may be exchanged for a coupon code through March 31, 2024.

Starting April 1, 2024, only QR-coded “new” tickets and transferred or newly issued passes will be valid for ferry boarding.

Click HERE for the announcement. Click HERE for BHI Transportation's website.

BHA's Board of Directors invites property owners and others to join its monthly public meetings in person or remotely via Zoom. Board meetings are typically held the second Friday of each month beginning at 11:00am EDT. Agendas, approved minutes of previous meetings and a link to the current monthly Zoom meeting can be found on the meeting information web page. Click on the link below to learn more.

(NOTE: change of venue — the Chandler Building in the BHI Harbour.) The next BHA Board meeting public session is scheduled for Friday, January 26, 2024, at 11:00am.

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