Emerald Tidings, composed monthly by Town Manager Matt Zapp,

is the official newsletter of the Town of Emerald Isle, NC.

Emerald Isle FY 24/25 Draft Budget Overview

We're excited to share that Town Manager Matt Zapp has unveiled the proposed Fiscal Year 24-25 Draft Budget, totaling $14,068,925. This reflects a careful increase from last year, maintaining our low property tax rate of $0.165 per $100 of property value—one of the lowest among North Carolina's oceanfront communities.

What's New? Despite inflation, the budget preserves quality services without increasing the property tax rate. A minor $5.00 increase in the Solid Waste Fee is proposed to support new expenses like a truck for yard debris removal.

Capital Projects: Significant investments are planned for improving beach access and other vital infrastructure to enhance our town's family-friendly environment.

Get Involved: Join us for a public hearing on June 11, where you can voice your thoughts and help shape our community's fiscal future.

Learn More: https://www.emeraldisle-nc.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=393

Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners Holds Budget Workshop and Approves Key Updates

Emerald Isle, NC (May 20, 2024) — The Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners met for a Budget Workshop, resulting in several decisions that will shape the town’s financial landscape for the upcoming fiscal year.

Key Decisions and Financial Implications

1. Revenue Adjustments:

The Board approved updates to the Emerald Isle Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2024. These changes are expected to generate approximately $156,000 to $168,000 annually in non-tax revenue, primarily derived from user-based services.

2. Employee Compensation:

The Board also voted to provide a 4.0% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to eligible full-time and part-time employees. This adjustment, an increase from the originally proposed 3.0% COLA, aligns with the Southeastern Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 3.8%. The additional 1.0% increase will incur a cost of approximately $69,000.

3. Contingency Funds:

Any surplus funds from these measures will be allocated to a Contingency Line Item. These funds can be accessed by a Board vote in the event of an emergency.

These updates and the COLA adjustment will be reflected in the FY 24/25 Draft Budget, with a Public Hearing scheduled for June 11, 2024, at 6:00 PM.

Detailed Fee Schedule Updates (Effective 07.01.24)

Police Department

Golf Cart Permits: 

Increase from $100 to $125, with a $25 discount for passing a safety exam. There will no longer be a discount for LSV carts or commercial cart rentals. Each cart registered will cost $125, or $100 if the owner passes the safety exam. Updates are expected to generate $36,750. 

Beach Driving Permits: 

Implementation of a $10 fee for passes issued to seniors, disabled veterans, and ADA permit holders. This fee is intended to cover the cost of permit processing and the associated decal. Emerald Isle resident permits will remain $50 (no change). Carteret County resident permits will increase by $25 to $125. For any person that resides out of Carteret County, a beach driving permit will be $200. These changes are anticipated to bring in $49,235.

Paid Parking: 

A standard hourly rate of $4 will be set for paid parking lots (April - September). The change is estimated to yield $37,000.

Parks & Recreation

Membership Fees: 

Annual fees raised by $25; resident fee will be $175 and Non-Resident will be $225.

These changes projected to add $20,100.

Class Fees: 

Per class average increase from $5 to $7, expected revenue of $3,915. 

Child Care Services: 

Program fees increased by $25, with projected gains of $2,125.

Tennis Court Fees: 

The annual tennis only membership will increase to $100. 

The expected revenue increase will be $1,050.

Credit Card Service Fees

Implementation to recover the cost impact of credit card usage is anticipated to generate $18,000. 

These fee adjustments are designed to ensure that Emerald Isle continues to provide high-quality services while maintaining financial health.

For more detailed information on the budget workshop and the updated fee schedule, residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming Public Hearing or visit the town's official website (www.emeraldisle-nc.org).

You can find more official beach safety information on the Town of Emerald Isle website, and through the free Emerald Isle, NC app.

The Town of Emerald Isle is also promoting its beach safety messaging in several new ways. The joint safety videos are playing on televisions located at the Western and Eastern Ocean Regional accesses, and new QR code stickers are being placed on to-go orders at several area restaurants. If you have an area business and are interested in helping us spread the beach safety message, please contact Mark Crews, Public Information Officer, at mcrews@emeraldisle-nc.org.

Neighborhood Watch Newsletter

Join the Emerald Isle Neighborhood Watch Newsletter and Strengthen Community Safety!

By signing up for this newsletter, you can stay informed, connected, and actively contribute to creating a safer environment for all of us.

The Neighborhood Watch Newsletter is designed to provide you with important updates, tips, and information related to community safety. From crime prevention strategies and emergency preparedness guidelines to updates on local initiatives and events, we've got you covered.

Signing up is quick and easy. Simply click open the subscription form. Enter your email address, and voila! You'll start receiving regular newsletters directly to your inbox.

By joining the Neighborhood Watch Newsletter, you become an integral part of our community's proactive approach to safety. Together, we can be the eyes and ears of our neighborhood, supporting law enforcement efforts and fostering a sense of unity and vigilance.

We encourage you to spread the word and invite your neighbors, friends, and family members to sign up for the Neighborhood Watch Newsletter. The more people we have on board, the stronger our community becomes.

Remember, safety starts with awareness, and the Neighborhood Watch Newsletter is your gateway to staying informed and making a difference. Let's work together to build a safer, more connected Emerald Isle.

Emerald Fest Concert Series Returns

Emerald Fest returns for another great series in 2024. Join us on Thursdays throughout the summer for free live music at the Western Ocean Regional Access from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. No alcohol, please.

JUNE

20- THE MAD FIDDLER

27- THE FELTONS

JULY

11- THE RV ROAD SHOW

18- BAREFOOT WADE

25- BIG SAM & CO.

AUGUST

1- TAJ PETRILLI & HANK BARBIE

8- KNOK KONK BAND

15- JUSTIN CASTELLANO

EI Lighting and Decorating Committee

The Emerald Isle lighting and decorating committee would like to thank all the businesses, organizations and individuals for their generous donations towards our New Holiday Lighting and Decorations. 

We would like to give a special thanks to our Town Commissioners, Town Manager, and Finance Director. Our goal is not yet complete. 

With continued support from the community, in the months to come, we will certainly enhance the magic of the holiday season for years to come!!

Steve Finch

Chairman of Lighting and Decorating Committee

Stay Informed with the Emerald Isle App

Job Opportunities with the Town of Emerald Isle

The Town of Emerald Isle is seeking applicants for a variety of full-time, part-time and seasonal positions.

You can find full details and applications online on the Town's website for the following positions:

Part-time:

• Paramedic
• Police Officer
• Fire Fighter
• Public Works

Community Center Renovation Updates

Tennis Courts Update

Just a heads-up that the tennis courts are now officially CLOSED for resurfacing. Cleaning and prep work will begin this afternoon. The resurfacing process is 100% weather dependent and is estimated to take about 5 days to complete.

To ensure the work goes smoothly, we will be locking the gates to the courts at night to prevent any play during this process.

Community Center Bathrooms

We wanted to let you know that the bathroom renovations within the Community Center are experiencing a delay. The new estimated completion date is now Friday, June 7th.

Progress update:

The stalls are almost complete in the ladies' room.

The plumber will begin work later this week, then move on to the men's room.

We appreciate your patience as we work to improve our facilities. Signage will be updated inside the building, and we will keep you posted on our social channels.

Ocean Rescue Lifeguards

on the Beach

Emerald Isle's Ocean Rescue Lifeguards have been assisting the public along the beach strand since April 1 this year.

In all, 20 USLA-certified lifeguards will be on the beach April through September this year.

As always, we encourage you to respect the ocean, yourself and our lifeguards. Review these important beach safety tips before you head to the ocean, and stay out of the water if you see red or double red flags flying. The Beach Warning Flags are now flying in coordination with the National Weather Service.

The Emerald Isle Fire Department is thrilled to announce that we recently conducted an incredible joint training session with the Indian Beach/Salter Path Fire Department in ocean rescue!

Our dedicated departments understand the importance of collaboration and continuous improvement when it comes to providing top-notch life-saving services to our communities. That's why we make it a priority to train together several times a year on various exercises.

During this specific training, our teams tackled the challenges of ocean rescue, honing their skills and exchanging invaluable knowledge.

The safety and well-being of our residents and visitors are our utmost priority, and these joint training sessions help us deliver exceptional care and assistance when it matters most.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Indian Beach/Salter Path Fire Department for their commitment and collaboration. Together, we are stronger, and we look forward to more joint training exercises in the future!

Stay Up To Date: Follow Us Online

The Town of Emerald Isle has a number of official online platforms you can use to stay connected to the latest news, our live beach and traffic cameras, and more. You can also view the monthly Board of Commissioners meetings, which are live streamed on our Facebook page. These meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

American Red Cross Blood Drive June 21

The American Red Cross and has a critical need for donations. A blood drive will be held from 1-5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 21, at the Emerald Isle Community Center, at 203 Leisure Lane. You can donate blood and make a difference in the lives of others.

To schedule an appointment, please contact 1-800-red cross, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call Kristin Willis at 252-341-1325.

Hurricane Season Underway;

Be Prepared Ahead of Time

You can always find hurricane preparedness information on our website, which includes a registration form for a disaster re-entry permit, in the event you do not have one. You should have your re-entry permit on hand before a storm is coming toward North Carolina.

Beach Parking Passes

Available through EIPD

Paid parking is underway and two free passes are available for Emerald Isle taxpayers. The Town's paid parking is at the Eastern and Western Ocean Regional accesses.

In addition, Handicapped/100% Disabled Vet, Purple Heart or Emerald Isle Business Owners are eligible for one free permit. Supporting documentation must be uploaded when applying for this one free permit in these categories. You must have this permit in hand before going to the access points to be eligible. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, same day service is not available.

Parking pass applications are available online, or you may stop by the Police Department at 7500 Emerald Drive to apply in person. You will need a current vehicle registration and driver’s license when applying for your permit. If you have questions, please call EIPD at 252-354-2021.

Emerald Isle taxpayers are eligible to receive two annual free parking permits that can be used at the Eastern Ocean Regional and Western Ocean Regional accesses. These parking permits will be granted only for vehicles registered in the name of the taxpayer and are non-transferable.

The permit decal must be for the current year and be permanently affixed to the driver’s side windshield. Improper placement of decals may result in paying the parking fee, confiscation or possible citation. Lost or confiscated permits will not be reissued. You are required to remove decals from previous years.

Golf Cart Safety, Rules

and Regulations Class Online

The Emerald Isle Golf Cart Safety, Rules & Regulations Class is available online. You can find out information concerning this online class and save $25 off your registration/ renewal for 2024 by visiting our website.

To renew for your 2024 registration, you will first watch a video that explains some golf cart rules and regulations, and review the PowerPoint presentation before taking your short test to receive the $25 discount. Once you have taken the test, you will need to fill out and submit the registration application form.

Important reminder: Golf Carts are not permitted to be operated along the length of Highway 58.

Community Conversations



Mark your calendars for the next "Community Conversations," your quarterly opportunity to sit down with our local commissioners in a relaxed, friendly environment.

When & Where? August 5th, from 4:30 to 6:30 at The Village Market in Emerald Isle, NC

Why Attend? This is your golden chance to:

Engage Directly with our elected commissioners. Have a question or an idea to improve our town? Here's where you can share it!

Discuss Community Issues that matter to you. From public safety to environmental concerns, let's dive into the topics that touch our lives.

Strengthen Community Ties by meeting fellow residents and local leaders. It's all about building a stronger, more connected Emerald Isle.

What to Expect?

Open and honest discussions in a judgement-free zone.

A casual atmosphere where you can pop by and chat.

An opportunity to be heard and to listen, bridging gaps between residents and local government.

Who's Invited?

Everyone! Whether you're a longtime resident or new to our community, your voice is important. "Community Conversations" is about bringing us all together to share, learn, and grow as a community. Let's make Emerald Isle an even better place to live, one conversation at a time.

See you there!

Your Voice, Our Community, One Conversation at a Time.

For updates, future Community Conversation events, and more information please follow us on our social media channels and stay tuned to our official website.

Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative Information

Summer rates begin June 1

Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative members will see a slight increase in the energy charge on bills mailed after June 1 when summer rates go into effect.

The summer residential rate, effective until Oct. 1, is 9.98¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The rate reflects the prices the co-op pays for wholesale power. Members who use an average of 1,000 kWh per month can expect to see an increase of approximately $10 or 8.6% in summer bills.

For more information about our rates, go to ccemc.com/RatesRegs.