TOPSAIL BEACH — Alex Arab, a retired business owner and analyst of IMS Evals, LLC, is hoping to secure a seat on the Topsail Beach Board of Commissioners.
A Topsail Beach resident, Arab hopes to be a voice for all residents should he win his campaign.
“In the last year, we have lost two mayors. In this process, we have lost two commissioners to fill in for these experienced leaders,” he said. “In the past year, I have attended and participated in virtually every public meeting. Our town needs involved residents to offer themselves to serve. Our citizens deserve a choice to give them a voice in town government.”
Though the commissioner race is nonpartisan, Arab is affiliated with the Republican party. Three seats are open, and she will face off against incumbents Tim Zizack (D), John Best (R), and Nancy Thomason (R).
Port City Daily asked all candidates a slate of questions about topics that are tracking high with voters and residents currently. Thomason’s answers have been edited only for clarity.
A few things to consider this election season:
- A valid ID is required to cast ballot in North Carolina
- Election Day is Nov. 4, 2025, with voters required to go to their assigned precinct locations
- Early voting opens Oct. 16 and closes Nov. 1, and voters can register and cast a ballot at the Cooperative Extension Auditorium, 801 S Walker St., or Surf City Community Center Gym, 201 Community Center Dr. Click here for hours.
The paywall has been dropped on candidate profiles to help voters make informed decisions ahead of the election. Candidate opinions and statements are not a reflection of Port City Daily.
Port City Daily: What makes you qualified for a seat and sets you apart from other candidates?
Alex Arab: I have a different set of skills/abilities. I am an analyst by trade. In my career, I would go into small and large employment situations. I would quickly analyze the processes. I would identify the demands and risks. I would prepare reports with data and conclusions. I would then be required to defend these reports as an expert witness in hearing involving opposing sides. I testified dozens of times over 20-plus years. I want to bring this level of analysis to the town and board.
PCD: The Beach, Inlet, and Sound fund is a large part of Topsail Beach’s budget for covering coastal projects. Given the long-term nature of these efforts, what is your strategy for ensuring the fund’s sustainability, and what measures would you support to enhance the town’s coastal resilience?
AA: We need to continue to fully fund the renourishment program and follow the 20-year plan established years ago. If we do this, we will continue to have one of the most stable beaches in North Carolina. We need to cease using BIS funding for non-renourishment expenses as we did for many years. Some of our current deficits in the BIS fund is due to this spending.
PCD: What is your vision for managing future growth? What specific actions would you support to ensure new projects align with the quality of life and values that are important to Topsail Beach residents?
AA: We must recognize that we can’t grow (both in numbers and in revenue). Our focus should be on keeping spending increases to a minimum. There are no good options for new revenue sources. Therefore, our town leadership should focus on reducing wasteful spending and maximize our limited revenue streams. Encouraging growth will change the fabric of our community. Most of us like things the way they are.
PCD: The Topsail Beach Board of Commissioners recently approved a 20% tax-rate increase to fund the general fund and coastal initiatives. With the county-wide property revaluation looming, what is your philosophy on fiscal responsibility for a municipality? What specific strategies would you implement to ensure the town’s long-term financial health and sustainability?
AA: In 2023, we had around $2.3M in excess funds. This was as of 6/30/23 (after all bills paid and before 2024 revenue was collected). In 2024, our surpluses increased to $3.1M. In 2025, it increased to $6.4M. This is before the effect of the 20% tax increase begins. There were no concerns when we had a $2-3M reserve. We should have moved $2-3M to BIS, leaving $3-4M in reserve. We would have then been able lower or eliminate the 20% increase. The $2-3M would bring our BIS fund to the appropriate level without an ever-increasing tax burden. In a sense, we have probably been overtaxed and have raised taxes despite the growing surpluses.
PCD: The town’s proposed public safety building has been a significant point of contention for residents and officials, with an ongoing debate over its necessity, size, and cost. Where do you stand on the project’s current plans, and what do you believe is the most fiscally responsible way to meet the needs of the town’s police and fire departments?
AA: In 2020, the Sawyer plan was paid for to plan for renovating existing buildings. This was to accommodate the fire department housing needs. Shortly afterwards, it was dropped due to lack of funds. In 2023, we received $8M (which has since grown to $9M) from the state. Instead of reconsidering the Sawyer plan, our commissioners voted for a $9 building (now $9.6M). This recent cost increase is partially due to the addition of a four-bay for the fire dept. Do we really need a 4th bay for a four wheeler and jet ski? I don’t think so. Also, why were the residents not told what it would cost to add the fourth bay later? Can we not be trusted to know? If it were up to me I would have considered the Sawyer plan along with the new building plan. This option is probably not possible now. I would only have three bays and a side door on the third bay to put the 4-wheeler/jetski behind the mini pumper (in the winter).
PCD: The town is currently assessing its stormwater infrastructure to address street flooding and drainage issues. What is your top infrastructure priority for Topsail Beach, and how would you propose to fund and manage these improvements?
AA: Most all of the stormwater issues are on State Highway 50. I believe the town staff is currently addressing these issues by having the state maintain and upgrade the existing drains. This is squarely the responsibility of the state and should not cost the town anything. This has been ignored by the state for too long. There are also evolving technologies that can be considered in the future.
PCD: What is one other issue not discussed above that you have a plan to address if elected and how would you do so?
AA: I believe the one issue that needs more focus is spending oversight. The mayor and board of commissioners should have more oversight of the spending by the town staff. Currently, the town manager can spend up to $50,000 off budget, without informing the mayor or commissioners. This in combination with a $6.4M reserve could result in wasteful spending.
Since there is no oversight, only the staff would know if the moneys are being spent appropriately. The mayor and commissioners are charged with oversight. Allowing the staff to spend this amount of money without even being required to inform the elected officials is concerning.
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