September 2023
IN THIS ISSUE: Welcome / Monthly Review / Contributions / News & Notices / Coming Events / Feature Spotlight / Photo Review
Welcome to September
WELCOME to the September 2023 edition of THE CURRENT. Say, do you remember, dancin' in September? "Our hearts were ringin' - In the key that our souls were singin' - As we danced in the night, remember - How the stars stole the night away, oh, yeah ..." Of the many, MANY songs about the month of September, we think Earth, Wind & Fire might have had one of the month's best themes in their 1978 hit. Nostalgia, love, happiness, and dancing. Now THAT was a fun month! They didn't want someone to wake them up when September ended, or spend it in the rain, or waste time watching the leaves come falling down.
It's true, September is a month of transition. Autumn slowly eases in, and schools bring structure back from the spontaneity of summer. Our minds start having to consider the un-fun responsibilities of adulthood like elections, year-end tax preps, and changing the batteries in your smoke alarms. But wait! Who says it has to be so ... boring? Well, we don't think it should be either! If anything it means there's just a (tiny little) bit less humidity to make your dancing that much more enjoyable; and in the Town of Oak Island, we still have plenty of dancing to do!
So even as we observe the Sunset On Summer and watch the stars steal the night away, let's remember there's plenty of music, fun, and singing left to bring our hearts together, so we can all do a little dancin' in September! The water's still plenty warm, and there's a lot to do, so put on your best Fall-themed floaties and let's dive into the September edition of THE CURRENT.
MONTHLY REVIEW
REMINDER: Information on all news items can be found on the Town Website at: www.OakIslandNC.gov/NEWS.
Council Meeting Recap
In a change from their usual schedule of the second Tuesday of the month, the Town Council held their regular meeting on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
PRESENTATION: Two presentations were provided on the fiscal year in review for the Fire Department by Chief Lee Price, and the Police Department by Chief Charlie Morris. These presentations can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
ADJUSTMENT/APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: The Otto Connect (paid parking) contract amendment was removed from the Consent Agenda. Authorization for staff to apply for a grant from Golden leaf for the second phase of the stormwater infiltration project was added as New Business 4.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA: Considerations of Amendments to Contract with Otto Connect: The contract amendments were approved as presented.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Will be summarized in the Meeting Minutes; and can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
COUNCIL REPORTS (MAYOR & COUNCIL): Will be summarized in the Meeting Minutes; and can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS: (1) Consideration of Designating One of the Newly Appointed Planning Board Members as the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) Member: Council designated Gene Brooks as the ETJ member; staff will forward that information to Brunswick County. (2) Appointments to the Business Advisory Board: Council increased the size of the Board to 10, and appointed Chasey Bynum, Jackie DelPrete, Zachary Fisher, Lisa Fitzgerald, Ken Guhse, Alma Rittenbury, Annette Rogers, Ronnie Russell, Dixon Wright and Joe Yeager.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Department reports are available on the Town's website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/DEPT and will be summarized in the Meeting Minutes.
OLD BUSINESS: (1) Consideration of Moffatt & Nichol Contracts and Amendments: Council unanimously approved the contracts and amendments (subject to final review by the Town Attorney). (2) Consideration of Issuing a Request for Proposals for a Recreation Center/Community Center Feasibility Study: Council approved the RFP.
NEW BUSINESS: (1) Consideration of Approval of Major Site Plan - The Preserve: Council unanimously approved the site plan. (2) Consideration of Approval for Minutes from the June 20, 2023, July 11, 2023, and August 8, 2023 meetings: Council approved the Minutes as amended. (3) Consideration of a Resolution Requesting Rescission of the Dosher Hospital Tax: Council adopted the Resolution. (4) Authorization for Staff to Apply for a Grant Through the Golden Leaf Foundation for Phase 2 of the Town’s Stormwater Dune Infiltration Project: Council authorized staff to apply for the grant.
CLOSED SESSION: Council voted to enter into closed session, during which no action was taken. Council then resumed open session and voted to adjourn at 10:24 PM. To view the video, agenda, and minutes for any Town Council meeting, just visit the Meetings Information page of the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/MEETINGS, or click the link below.
Idalia Response: Few Problem, Great Preparation
On Monday, August 28 at 1:00 PM, the Town sent out its first Response Update on Tropical Storm Idalia. Over the following week, Town staff would join residents and visitors alike in watching, and preparing for an ever-adjusting forecast of impacts. throughout the course of the event, a total of four Response Updates and one Final Update was shared from the Town, through email and emergency text alert via the OKInformation system.
Thankfully once the storm had passed, the Town proved to have been largely spared of any damage from the potential winds, rain, and floodwaters. As with any event though, it was a great opportunity to test personal readiness and the Town's responses.
Throughout the event, the Town utilized a "single source" information model. To provide consistency and help eliminate misinformation, the Severe Weather Information page of the Town Website served as the sole source for response efforts on anything Idalia-related. Temporarily dubbed the "Idalia page," every email, text alert, social media post, or media release, was time-stamped and provided direct link back to this page.
This worked well, as by the time it reverted back to its “inactive” state on Friday, September 1, the page had received over 52.520 views that week. Over 30,000 of those views were on the Wednesday of the storm. A sincere THANK YOU to all of the residents and visitors who chose to stay informed, helping to make this one of the highest view counts for any single day ever recorded!
If you haven't signed up for emails or emergency text alerts through the OKInformation system, its as easy as visiting www.OakIslandNC.gov/INFO, or click the link below.
Happy Trails To You, Mr. Hatten!
During the Town Council's regular meeting on August 8, 2023, a very special moment took place, when Mayor White read a Resolution noting the retirement of outgoing Finance Director, David Hatten. Met with a standing ovation, this recognition brought to center stage the accomplishments of a brilliant financial mind, and dedicated public servant.
Originally from West Virginia, Hatten traded in the hills of his home state for the rolling waves of coastal NC in 2014. Having previously lived in the Wilmington area, he knew this region would be a good place to bring his years of financial experience; ranging from work as an internal auditor, public accountant, and finance analyst.
Hatten enjoyed tackling the unique challenges of managing the finances in a coastal town such as Oak Island. Serious and often complex issues like Beach Nourishment, and maintaining infrastructure in a harsh marine environment, can quickly create enormous and expensive projects. Even after emergency events such as hurricanes or other severe storms, Hatten led a dedicated team who spent countless hours accumulating records and filing reimbursement claims to FEMA.
Of course, making sense (and cents!) in rough times was pretty much what brought David Hatten to Oak Island. From Day 1, he worked together with administrative staff, the Mayor, and Council to navigate the Town through the challenging financial situations faced in the early 2010s.
During his tenure, the Town was able to refinance General Fund debt and the utility bonds, creating significant savings in interest and reducing the term of the debts. Most all agree he now leaves the Town in a much better financial position than when he started.
But it wasn't all ledgers and liabilities however, as David Hatten maintained a very practical appreciation for where he chose to finish out his career. "I feel working and living at the beach is the best of both worlds," he once said in a 2021 interview, adding "...and the weather is not bad either!" In fact, the only thing that could dampen his mood more than a balance sheet full of red ink, was a rained out Friday night that caused him to miss the Summer Concert Series. Thankfully both of those scenarios were few and far between.
David Hatten officially retired on August 31, 2023, with no further ceremony or grandstanding (because that would cost too much money!). Just the simple gesture of carrying a single box of personal effects out of the office. While we all wish him well in retirement, we know he won't go far; as long as there's music to be heard in the Middleton Park Complex, you'll find him somewhere in the crowd!
Dinghy Dash II: Return to Dutchman Creek
On Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Dutchman Creek Park in Southport, the Oak Island Police Department held its SECOND Annual Dutchman Dinghy Dash, or "D3" event as it's come to be known. Building upon the wild success of the first D3 held in 2022, this year brought out nearly 300 spectators, participants, and first responders for this unique spectacle that's been described as "soap box derby meets redneck regatta."
In their best homemade boats, 2-person teams set out to see who could paddle the farthest, the fastest. All before their carboard vessels succumbed to the soggy saturation of Dutchman Creek's waters. First and second place prizes were awarded in both Adult and Youth Divisions, along with a "Best in Show" award and a "Titanic" award for the "most dramatic sinking."
This has again proven to be one of the most successful events of the year for the Oak Island Police Department, and will certainly be around for many more to come. So go ahead and start saving your cardboard now for 2024!
A very special thanks to all of the sponsors and participating agencies, including Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, NC, Oak Island Fire Department, Oak Island Water Rescue, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, U.S. Coast Guard Station Oak Island, Lowe's Home Improvement, Sebbys Pizzeria, Castucci's an Italian Joint, Publix Super Market at Oak Island Marketplace, Walmart Southport, North Carolina National Guard, ArtTime art Studio ... and many more!
A list of winners and photo gallery of the event can be found on the Police Department's Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/OakIslandPD or by clicking the link below.
CONTRIBUTIONS
This section features content contributed from various Town Departments, as well as the Town's municipal and non-profit partner organizations. Regular contributing organizations include the Oak Island Fire Department, the Beach Preservation Society, the Friends of Parks Foundation, the Sea Turtle Protection Program, the Friends of the Library, and Oak Island Water Rescue, among others. For more information, please reach out to the contributing organization directly.
Fire Department Safety Brief: New Tools to Tackle Growing Demand
With an increasing permanent population, and visitor count that keeps going higher, 2023 has proven to be one of our busiest years ever. Thankfully through a new Department focus and a Town Council in agreement, the Oak Island Fire Department is been outfitted with the tools to help better ply our trade.
These include the QUICK RESPONSE VEHICLE (QRV), a 2023 Ford F-150, specially outfitted for beach patrol, water rescue, and fast medical response operations. In addition to the emergency medical equipment found in any QRV, the truck also features tools to assist with water rescues, such as "torpedo" style flotation cans, a rack for carrying rescue boards, and towing package to pull the new Rescue Watercraft "Unit 191."
Speaking of the RESCUE WATERCRAFT, if you were at the recent Dutchman Dinghy Dash (D3), you may have noticed our crew had more on the water than just our *winning* cardboard boat entry. The D3 marked the in-service debut of our new Sea Doo GTX 300 Rescue Watercraft, referred to as Unit 191. This sea Doo provides a critical bridge in rapid response on the water, as it can be quickly surf-launched from any vehicle designated to tow it regularly (including the QRV). It is fully equipped, and includes an attached P2PRescue sled.
While the rapid response is a welcome addition, eventually you're going to need the big tools. That's where our new Pierce Enforcer fire engine, Unit 171 comes in! Outfitted by Atlantic Emergency Solutions, the new engine can carry 1,000 gallons of water and features a built-in foam delivery system. It is an up-fitted "stock" unit, allowing for a lower initial cost and faster delivery time (NOTE: this is the same tactic the Fire Department is using to locate and purchase its next fire engine, which it hopes to have by the end of this year). Unit 171 was delivered on August 12, and after installing equipment was officially entered into service on Friday, September 1.
While to the casual observer these new vehicles may seem like another case of "wild government spending" there's much more benefit than meets the eye. In a break from the way we've traditionally operated in the past, buying fewer, new vehicles is actually proving more cost-effective in the long run. Purchasing used equipment means you're also taking on the maintenance and upkeep costs of that equipment. By shifting priorities to fewer, newer, warrantied vehicles, we are making a better equipped, more effective department while also being more fiscally responsible in the long run.
These new tools are just part of the overall changing landscape of the Department, as envisioned by Chief, Lee Price. For even more information on our vision for future improvement, watch the most recent Department Report Chief Price gave to the Town Council during their September 7 meeting by clicking the link below.
Beach Preservation Society: Fall Beach Sweep
(Contributed by Cheryl Cook) Calling all Beach Lovers!! Are you ready to help keep our favorite beach looking pristine? Then sign up now for our FALL BEACH SWEEP as tourist season comes to a close. We can't do this without YOU!!
Saturday, September 23, 2023 • 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the 4610 E Dolphin Drive parking lot, near the Oak Island Cabana at SE 46th Street.
We supply the trash bags, gloves, and data cards for you to clean a 1/2 mile section of beachfront. Bring your filled trash bags and completed data cards back to the lot for us to weigh in and tally your collection. There are 11 sections of beach that can be reserved from McGlamery St all the way to The Point!
These are BEACH FRONT sand areas. Parking accesses will be assigned in person on cleanup day. For full details on the sections available, and to reserve one of your own, send an email to eileenk.oki.beachpreservation@gmail.com or click the link below. Hope to see you there!
Chambers of Commerce: King Mackerel Tournament
(Contributed by Karen Sphar) The 45th Annual U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament is right around the corner. This year’s tournament will be October 5 – 7, 2023 at Brunswick County’s Dutchman Creek Park. The U.S. Open is one of the largest king mackerel tournaments on the East Coast of the United States and part of the SKA (Southern Kingfish Association) Tournament Trail.
In 2021, the tournament attracted 561 boats and paid out over $423,600. The Tournament has an all cash guaranteed prize structure that is not based on participation numbers. It pays 55 places in its primary prize category including $25,000 for the largest king mackerel. There are also forty sponsors who add supplementary cash prizes to the event.
Three notable prizes include the Daily Aggregate Weight Prizes, Senior Angler and Junior Angler Awards. The Daily Aggregate Weight Prizes are sponsored by Sea/Tow and Dosher Memorial Hospital and Junior Angler Awards are sponsored by Coastal Pediatric Dentistry and Novant Health. Each day a $1,000 Aggregate Prize will be given to the boat that catches the most poundage from combining the weights from two or three fish. The Junior Angler Aggregate prizes are daily and total $1,000 while the overall senior aggregate is a two-day total with a $500 award.
The tournament Food Court will be open on Thursday, from Noon - 7:00 PM and Friday from Noon - 5:00 PM featuring Dutch Girl Dogs (hot dogs, chips, drinks) and Saturday from 12pm-7pm featuring Wallace Catering (Burgers, BBQ, sausage/peppers/onions, fried & grilled chicken sandwich, Calabash style fried shrimp or fish and shrimp and grits. Early Bird Registration – Online, postmarked or at Chamber’s Welcome Center by midnight on Friday, September 8. Online Registration – Available until 11pm on October 3rd. Onsite Registration – October 5th from 10am-9pm at Dutchman Creek Park (4750 Fish Factory Road).
Tournament details are available on our website, www.usopenkmt.com, or by clicking the link below.
Dosher Memorial Hospital: Drug Drop Off Event
(Contributed by Ilene Evans) The 25th semi-annual “Operation Medicine Cabinet” drug take back event at Dosher Memorial Hospital is scheduled for Wednesday October 4, between the hours of 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Local residents are invited to drop off unwanted and expired prescription medications at the hospital front entrance, where law enforcement then takes what is collected for safe incineration. One of the conveniences of this event is that it is designed so that you can “drive through and drop off,” without having to leave your car.
At Dosher’s last drug drop in April, 2023, nearly 450 local households discarded 16,874 expired or unwanted narcotic pills and nearly 1,140 milliliters of narcotic liquids.
Dosher welcomes the opportunity to provide this service to local residents. For questions about Operation Medicine Cabinet, call the Dosher Office of Marketing and Community Relations at 910-457-3900 or email marketing@dosher.org or click the link below.
MEETINGS, NEWS, & NOTICES
Council, Committee, and Board Meetings
REMINDER: Televised public meetings are broadcast live on OKI-TV (Spectrum Cable channel 8), as well as livestreamed on the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/MEETINGS. For a complete schedule of all upcoming Council, Committee and Board meetings, visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/CALENDAR.
Monday, September 11, 2023 at 4:00 PM the RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD will hold its next meeting (non-televised) in the Community Center, located at 102 SE 47th Street, beside the Town Hall.
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM the ABC BOARD will hold its next meeting (non-televised) in the Oak Island ABC Store, located at 5402 E Oak Island Drive.
Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 10:30 AM the PLANNING BOARD will hold its next meeting (televised) in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall at 4601 E Oak Island Drive.
Friday, October 6, 2023 at 1:00 PM the PAR 3 ADVISORY COMMITTEE will hold its next meeting (non-televised) in the Par 3 Pro Shop, located at 4188 Vanessa Drive.
Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 8:30 AM the ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE will hold its next meeting (non-televised) in the Ocean Education Center, located at 4700 E Oak Island Drive.
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 6:00 PM the TOWN COUNCIL (televised) will hold its next regular meeting in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall at 4601 E Oak Island Drive.
CLOSURES & HOLIDAYS
VETERANS DAY: Administrative Offices for the Town of Oak Island will be CLOSED on Friday, November 10, 2023 in observance of Veterans Day. Garbage & Recycling Collection will NOT be affected, however the Disposal Convenience site will NOT be open on Friday, November 10.
Police, fire, and other emergency services are not affected during any holiday closure, and are always available by calling 9-1-1. The Oak Island Pier will be open during their seasonal hours. All currently available Parks, Beach & Water Access Locations, and facilities will be open as well. All holiday closure dates can be viewed in the Holiday Calendar on the Town Website at: www.OakIslandNC.gov/HOLIDAY.
Sunset On Summer: Music Festival
On Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM, the Town of Oak Island will host its first-ever Sunset On Summer: Music Festival. This new one-day festival is positioned right between the end of the Summer Concert Series, and the start of the Fall Live & Local: Market + Music series.
Unlike either concert series, which features one band per evening, this event will host multiple bands throughout the entire day; along with a Kids Area • Live DJ • Food Trucks • Craft Beer • Wine • Spirits on Site ... and a special FIREWORKS SHOW to end the evening!!
Music will be provided by Beach Music legends The Band of Oz, Fleetwood Mac tribute Landslide, and Zac Brown Band tribute 20 Ride. Parking will NOT be charged for this event, and special Handicapped Parking with shuttle service will be available! Souvenir T-shirts and merchandise will be available for purchase.
WRISTBANDS: Those wishing to consume alcohol may only do so with purchases from the craft beer, wine, and spirits vendors onsite. Access to these vendors is available through the purchase a wristband from the ticket booth, which will be centrally located in the festival grounds. Wristbands are just $1 and require valid to purchase.
All NC ALE permitting and regulations will be enforced.
For more details and a downloadable Event Map, visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/SOS pr click the link below.
National Night Out
On Friday, October 6, 2023 from 4:30 - 7:30 PM the Town of Oak Island will host its first ever National Night Out event at the Middleton Park Complex, 4610 E Dolphin Drive
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to help make neighborhoods a safer, more caring places to live.
Organized locally by the Oak Island Police Department, 2023 marks the Town’s first year hosting an NNO event, so we are working hard to ensure a memorable evening for all!
FEATURED 2023 DISPLAYS & ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE:
• US Army Golden Nights Skydiving
• ALL Brunswick Co. Law Enforcement
• Fire Trucks w/ Water Cannons Demo
• Displays from ALL Military Branches
• NC Wildlife Resources Commission
• NC State Bureau of Investigation
• FREE Build-&-Grow Activity Kits
• Music Provided by Live DJ
• Mobile Axe Throwing
• FREE Ident-A-Kid kits
• Free Food & Desserts
• Amusement Rides
• Gaming Trailers
• Bounce Houses
• Dunk Tank
… and so much more!
Parking will NOT be charged at this event, and a FREE Handicap Shuttle service will be provided! for more details, visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/NNO or click the link below.
Town Council Candidates Forum 2023
The League of Women Voters of the Lower Cape Fear will be sponsoring a Candidate Forum with the seven candidates for the Oak Island Town Council on the evening of Thursday, October 5, 2023, starting at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall at 4601 E Oak Island Drive.
Residents are welcome to arrive beginning at 6:00 PM, with the formal program starting promptly at 6:30 PM. WECT news anchor Jon Evans will serve as the moderator. Residents are asked to offer questions that could be addressed to the candidates, which can be emailed ahead of time to OakIslandforum@lwvlcf.org or by clicking the link below.
All questions will be kept anonymous . No questions will be directed at any candidate but will be asked of all candidates.
IMPORTANT NOTE: While the Town Hall will serve as a venue for this forum, it is being presented and organized solely by the League of Women Voters of the Lower Cape Fear, and is no way endorsed or organized by Town Management or Staff.
Christmas By The Sea: Parade Applications Being Taken
While it may still be hot outside, it's never too early to start dreaming of winter holidays to come. As a reminder, registration forms for the Town's annual Christmas By the Sea Parade are now being accepted, and can be downloaded from the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/PARADE or by clicking the link below.
Traditionally held on the first Saturday in December, this event runs right right through the heart of Town down E Oak Island Drive, and hosts some of the largest crowds outside of Beach Day itself. In years past, the Parade was organized by the Southport-Oak Island Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with the Town. For 2023 however, the Town has graciously accepted full-organizer status from the Chamber, and will be the sole sponsor and conductor of the Parade.
That changeover brings some new items of organization. 2022 saw the largest Parade ever, and we're only looking to improve upon those numbers in 2023! For even bigger and better things to come however, it's going to take everyone getting involved NOW. So be sure to download a registration form at www.OakIslandNC.gov/PARADE or by clicking the link below.
COMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
REMINDER: Information on all special events, recreation programs, and educational activities can be found on the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/EVENTS.
Live & Local: Market + Music
WHEN: September & October •Saturdays • 4:00 PM -8:00 PM Market • 6:00 PM -8:00 PM Concert
WHERE: Middleton Park Complex •4610 E. Dolphin Dr.
COST: Free to Attend
AGES: All Ages
ABOUT: Already dreading the end of summer's Farmer's Market and Summer Concert Series? Fall in love with the Town of Oak Island this autumn as OKI Recreation Department Island continues the best of summer living all season long. Connect with your coastal community in Middleton Park each week Department for an evening of live music, local food and craft vendors as residents and visitors embrace active island living. For questions simply reach out to OKI Program Supervisor, Ryan Gordon at rgordon@OakIslandNC.gov.
For more information and to see the full band lineup, visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/LIVE or click the link below.
Haunted Fishing Derby
WHEN: October (TBD) • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
WHERE: Oak Island Pier
COST: FREE
AGES: Designed for ages 15 years & under
REGISTRATION: www.OakIslandNC.gov/RecDesk
ABOUT: Find your favorite costume, and cast a line this October with Oak Island Recreation! There will be many prizes for a variety of categories. Participants will need to bring their own rod and bait. For more information contact Program Supervisor, Ryan Gordon, at rgordon@oakislandnc.gov or calling 910-278-4747.
*Participants must wear a costume to receive a goodie bag
Spooky Flashlight Egg Hunt
WHEN: Friday, October 27, 2023 • Begins By Age Group at 6:30 PM
AGES 1-3 at 6:30 PM • Ages 4-6 at 6:45 PM • Ages 7-10 at 7:00 PM
WHERE: Bill Smith Park • 4446 Fish Factory Rd.
COST: FREE
ABOUT: Oak Island is looking “egg”stra spooky at Bill Smith Park. Come and find Orange & Black Eggs our furry friend has hidden for you this year! Make sure you come dressed in your costume ready for the hunt! For more information please call 910-278-4747.
Halloween Spooktacular
WHEN: Saturday, October 28, 2023 •6:00 PM-8:00 PM
WHERE: Middleton Park Complex •4610 E. Dolphin Dr.
COST: FREE
AGES: Activities designed for Ages 13 & Under
ABOUT: Fall is just around the corner, and Oak Island would like to invite your family to the 2023 Halloween Spooktacular! Come dressed in your Halloween best as we spend the evening celebrating the fall season with contests, live music, games, and more! Held in conjunction with Live & Local: Market + Music at Middleton Park; this FREE family friendly Halloween event offers a multitude of booths with carnival type activities and will be distributing candy. To find out how you can sponsor a booth,
PLEASE NOTE: There are MANY fun, educational, and exciting events and programs planned for the month ahead (way too many to list here)! For a complete list of upcoming activities, contact the Recreation Department at 910-278-5518, or visit the EVENTS & PROGRAMS page of the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/EVENTS, or just click the link below.
DEPARTMENT FEATURE: FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Singer-songwriter Deon Jackson may have said it best in his 1965 smash hit, Love Makes the World Go 'Round. While astrophysicists think it's actually due to the whole "gravity" thing, we tend to agree that love has to play a part in there somewhere. However, it could be said that The Beatles made a valid point when they sang "but your love don't pay my bills. I need money (that's what I want) ..."
You see, while love may make the world go 'round, money is the thing that keeps it from spinning out of control. It's what purchases new playground equipment for the parks, or what routes electricity straight into homes, or what parks new fire engines in the bays at the stations ... or even builds the stations themselves. While philosophers might have the luxury of arguing its worth, the reality is simply that our currency is how we keep current infrastructure. And as a municipal government if your revenue (re: "money") is derived from taxation of the people, then you better have a top-notch team to serve as good stewards of those revenues.
With a wide array of responsibilities ranging from daily utility collections, to funding major reconstruction following a natural disaster, the Finance Department is a key part of the daily functioning of any local government. Responsible for the financial planning, policy development, and administration of the Town's financial activities and personnel, the small but dedicated staff interact not only with the public, but also every other department of the Town.
The Finance Department consist of four (4) divisions: Finance & Accounting, Accounts Payable, Utility & Tax Billings & Collection, and Customer Service. All divisions work within the department to accomplish two (2) major goals; ensuring funding for the daily operation of Town activities, and the more long-term task of planning and developing of the Town's yearly budgets.
PROFILE: Finance Director Kathryn Adams is a new addition to the Oak Island workforce, but certainly not new to Oak Island itself. A graduate of her native hometown's UNC Greensboro, Adams also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from NC State University. This accompanies a quite lengthy list of professional certifications as well.
Her professional career includes over 20 years of public service in budget, finance, and town management. Adams has served in high-level roles within North Carolina state government (pictured below at her signing in ceremony), including Deputy Director of the Administrative Offices of the Courts, Deputy Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction, and the Governor’s Cabinet Secretary for the NC Department of Administration.
She has served on numerous Boards of Directors, including the CFPUA in Wilmington, LGERS & TSERS Retirement Boards with the State Treasurer, and the State's Council of Internal Auditing.
And it's not just high-level government work, Kathryn has many years’ experience as a finance official in the private sector as a Chief Financial Officer in nearby Wilmington. Moving back into the public sector, she has also served as the Budget Director for the City of Wilmington, and most recently as the Finance Director for the neighboring Town of Caswell Beach.
A longtime visitor, Adams and her family moved to Oak Island during the COVID-19 pandemic, to be closer to, and assist aging family. It quickly became clear that this was the place to stay. As the lockdowns of the pandemic era began to fade, so did her desire to head back to the congestion of the State's capital. So, she opted to once again trade the high-rises of Raleigh for the high tides of Brunswick County.
When the retirement of Oak Island's former Finance Director, David Hatten was announced over the summer, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to contribute her skills to the town her family has called home for years now.
STRUCTURED SUPPORT. The Town of Oak Island employs an average of around 140 people. Through over a dozen departments and divisions, they work to provide services to between 9,000 - 50,000 residents and visitors at any given time. At peak summer season, that can create a ratio of one (1) public servant for every 357 civilians. To manage those kinds of numbers, Town staff need the proper tools and infrastructure to provide the services of their respective positions. Ensuring the Town's revenues from taxes and fees are properly managed, so that each department can purchase the equipment they need, is no small task. It requires a dedicated team of skilled individuals, with better judgement of when to approve spending, and when to say "NO."
Under the oversight of the Finance Director, the Department employs eight (8) staff members, which includes two (2) supervisor positions and the front desk receptionist. Major areas of responsibility include financial administration and planning, accounting, payroll, utility billing and collection, budget preparation and adherence and treasury management. Other duties of the department include processing accounts payable transactions for all Town programs, producing monthly and annual financial statements, administering the Town's cash management and investment programs, coordinating the purchase of capital assets, processing other revenue sources, invoicing miscellaneous receivables and maintaining records of the Town's capital assets.
Despite the many responsibilities and requirements of the Department, staff still work to ensure a pleasant and safe work environment for all those they interact with on a daily basis. They know that providing timely, accurate, and meaningful data helps other departments in being responsible with taxpayer funds. Extending a courteous, professional customer service helps reassure the taxpayers their funds are efficiently stewarded.
For detailed information on any programs or services provided by the Finance Department, feel free to call the Customer Service Desk at 910-278-5011, or send a message through the contact form on their page of the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.gov/FINANCE.
PHOTO REVIEW
Provided below are examples of the visuals seen around Town throughout the past month. This section contains officially published AND reader submitted photos. Submissions are donated and not compensated, but are properly credited in the captions below. To contribute a submission, please email the photo along with a description of the date, location, and photographer or business name to: photos@oakislandnc.gov.
Thank you for reading this edition of THE CURRENT. This information is produced by the Town of Oak Island Communications Office and is intended for information and educational purposes only. Any perceived endorsements or promotion of any third-party products, services, or organizations is unintentional. For more information on any of the departments or services provided by the Town of Oak Island, visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/CONTACT, call 910-278-5011, or email info@oakislandnc.gov.
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