New Hanover County Commissioners unanimously approved an interlocal agreement designating the Town of Wrightsville Beach as the county’s agent to enforce a dog ordinance on the north end during a June 16 meeting.
Dogs are prohibited on the north end, near the Mason Inlet Waterbird Habitat Management Area during nesting season from April through September. From October through March, dogs are allowed there on leashes.
The codes are required by the 2002 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit for the Mason Inlet relocation project, which established the waterbird management area. A jurisdiction agreement was never formally approved but the town has enforced the codes, monitoring the area and writing warning tickets.
“We continued to provide service to the area. We just weren’t writing tickets. … The county approached me because I think part of the [permit] agreement would be something in place to do some enforcement,” said Wrightsville Beach Town Manager Tim Owens during a June 17 phone interview.
The interlocal agreement coincides with the county’s request to modify management requirements for the area as outlined in the 30-year permit issued for the relocation project.
“It’s one of the conditions of the permit and it’s something we’re going to maintain. It’s just dotting the i’s, crossing the t’s,” county shore protection coordinator Layton Bedsole said during a June 16 phone interview.
The agreement officially shifts responsibility, allowing the town to use town citations, retain fee revenue and hold any necessary hearings related to the citations. An amendment to the county code of ordinances was also approved, making it more similar to the town’s for easier enforcement.
The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman will consider the agreement during a July 10 meeting.
Budget Adoption
Commissioners approved the $372 million budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year prepared by county manager Chris Coudriet and county staff. The budget was approved 3-1 with Vice Chairwoman Beth Dawson in opposition.
Nearly $825,000 is allocated in the 2014-15 budget to boost salaries for 411 county employees to the minimum market salary as established in a pay study completed by Evergreen Solutions.
Dawson requested raises for appointed and elected officials — the county manager, county attorney, register of deeds, county clerk and sheriff — be considered later, as part of an annual evaluation process when they are normally handled.
The raises will be effective July 1.
Solid Waste Management
Commissioners have spent nearly one year exploring waste hauling options in an effort to preserve air space at the New Hanover County landfill but the board split during its June 16 vote, leaving the county in control of solid waste management.
A $55 per ton tip fee established in the 2014-15 budget will fund a county focus on construction and demolition recycling to divert 30 percent of solid waste flow and saving for the cost of closure and post-closure landfill maintenance.
Commissioners Thomas Wolfe and Jonathan Barfield Jr. voted to keep services under county control. Dawson suggested the board defer action on such an important matter until citizens are represented with a full board. Chairman Woody White recognized the need to preserve air space for future generations, saying his remaining questions could be worked out in contract negotiations, but also voted to table the motion for future discussion.
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