CAROLINA BEACH—Carolina Beach’s leaders have been looking for ways to increase revenue and decrease spending for Fiscal Year 2018-2019, and town staff has managed to propose options for doing just that.
If approved, the total operating budget for the upcoming year would be $24.5 million. Town Council will hold a public hearing and a budget presentation on Tuesday, after which council will be asked to approve the budget.
Read more: Carolina Beach looking to hike parking, Freeman Park fees
The town held five different budget workshops overall to discuss finances. Originally staff planned on a projected revenue for the general fund of $13.3 million, as of May 30, the projected revenue is approximately $15 million.
This revenue increase comes from several different income sources including a 1.6-percent increase in solid waste equaling $74,295 more than originally projected.
A 6.3-percent increase in the marina rates, fine adjustments, appropriation of fund balance, and a planning remodeling fee calculation change.
The biggest revenue increases came from the increase in parking rates and the increase in Freeman Park visitor fees.
Last week Town Council held a budget workshop where one of the topics of discussion was the increase of these rates.
Non-resident parking decals are now $75; they give the purchaser one full parking season at Carolina Beach. Last week town staff suggested increasing the rates for these passes by $25 to $100. Now it appears staff is proposing doubling the rate for these passes to $150 annually.
Freeman Park rates were also discussed during the budget workshop. Currently Freeman Park annual passes cost $150. Last week council discussed increasing the cost to $175. The latest suggestion is to raise those prices to $200.
Early purchases of park passes now cost $75. Council considered raising the price to $100, but now is considering increasing the, to $150.
The public hearing begins 6:30 p.m. June 12 at Town Hall.
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