Board of Commissioners November 15th Meeting Recap
A regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held on November 15th. The Board took the following actions:
- Heard the Annual Monitoring Report from Fran Way, Applied Technology and Management.
- Received information on the Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022 Audit. Click here to view the presentation by Elsa Watts, Martin Starnes and Associates. The Town received an unmodified opinion, which is a clean opinion. The Audit Committee presented a reportstating that the Town’s financial department is to be commended for its diligence and attention to detail in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, which has resulted in no findings of concern in any of the financial statements or internal controls audited.
- Requested that Town Manager Hewett issue a Request for Proposals for contracting with an external audit firm. The three-year contract with the current firm is expiring.
- Listened to an update on the upcoming bike path construction from Caitlin Marks and Chad Kimes, Department of Transportation
- Heard details on the monthly report from Chief Dixon. Chief Dixon thanked the Greater Holden Beach Merchants Association for their generous donation of body cameras to the Police Department. He advised people that Run HB was rescheduled to December 10th and to plan accordingly if they need to travel that day.
- Heard the monthly report from Inspections Director Evans. He congratulated Plan Review/Inspector Carey Redwine for receiving her Plumbing Inspector I certification.
- Reviewed the Planning & Zoning Board’s response to the Board’s tasker concerning frontal dunes (Code of Ordinances Section 94.03 Frontal Dune Policies and Regulations). The Board agreed to add the recommended option to the December agenda. The Board will consider taking action on the option at the meeting after comment is received.
- Listened to the concerns of Mr. Ehle on the condition of the Town-owned property at 796 Ocean Boulevard. Staff is currently working on obtaining an engineering analysis for the property. The Board asked staff to take care of any maintenance possible while the analysis is being completed.
- Received the Ian After Action Report by Town Manager Hewett. The report reviewed the expectations, reality and outcomes from the event.
- Approved a contract with Ward and Smith and a corresponding budget amendment. Ward and Smith, in conjunction with the Ferguson Group, represents the Town in advocacy matters at the federal level as related to beach nourishment, Lockwood Folly Inlet maintenance and dredge material disposal sites. Their contract also includes three additional areas to be determined based on Town needs.
- Approved a budget amendment that recognizes the CAMA grant funds for the pier acquisition that were previously accepted through contract by the Board.
- Approved a budget amendment that adds interest accounts for the Town’s various debt services. Adding the accounts was suggested by the auditors to streamline end of year entries and financial statement preparation. The amendment also aids in the implementation of the Town’s new debt tracking software.
- Listened to feedback regarding Commissioner Kwiatkowski’s questions on sewer station planning.
- Commissioner Kwiatkowski reminded staff that the Board would like to see categorization of expenses within the professional services line item of the budget.
- Requested owner input if they have issues with right-of-way parking as currently reflected in Town ordinances.
- Asked staff to check with the Corps on the status of the Board’s information request.
- Held a closed session to consult with the attorney.
Click here if you are interested in viewing the meeting packet.
You can also hear audio from the meeting by clicking here. Audio includes the town manager’s report and mayor/commissioner comments.
(Click on underlined information above to view documentation.)
