EMERALD TIDINGS - January 2023
Emerald Tidings, composed monthly by Town Manager Matt Zapp,
is the official newsletter of the Town of Emerald Isle, NC.

Emerald Isle's Year in Review: 2022

With the calendar change to 2023, the Town of Emerald Isle would like to take the time to review a number of accomplishments throughout the past year.

In this brief video, Town Manager Matt Zapp touches on several projects and initiatives that Town staff accomplished over the past 12 months.
EIPD Conducts First Shop With A Cop

The Emerald Isle Police Department held its first Shop With A Cop on December 15, thanks to funds raised through the Inaugural Emerald Isle Car Show in November.

Shop With A Cop allowed 11 children from Carteret County to shop for Christmas gifts and essentials with a EIPD officer, at no cost to the child's family. These children represented six families and four schools in our area. In the video below, Chief Michael Panzarella looks back on this rewarding community outreach.
Reminder: 2022 Emerald Isle Property Tax Bills

The Town of Emerald Isle's property tax bills are consolidated with the Carteret County tax bills. Tax bills have been mailed and are available online at
carteretcountytax.com. Property owners no longer receive a direct tax bill from the Town of Emerald Isle.


What is on the 2022 Tax Bill?
One Bill:
Carteret County and Emerald Isle Taxes are itemized on a consolidated bill.

Tax Rates:
Carteret County includes a 33 cent tax rate, identical to 2021.
Emerald Isle has a 16.5 cent tax rate, a 1-cent increase compared to 2021.

EI Solid Waste Fee:
Developed residential properties in Emerald Isle include a $275/unit solid waste fee.
The fee in 2021 was $265/ unit.

Important Note: If you see a green insert in your tax billing envelope, do not be alarmed. Residents within a city limit DO NOT have to pay the Carteret County $165 fee associated with bulk waste disposal.
If you are charged the Greenbox Fee of $165, and pay a curbside trash pickup service, please provide proof of service to the tax office. Upon proof of service, we will remove the fee from the bill. The deadline to have this fee removed is January 5, 2023.
Christmas Tree Collection Underway

Are you wondering where to dispose of your Christmas tree in the coming days or weeks?

Live Christmas trees, without any lights, ornaments and tinsel, can be dropped off at the corner of Islander and Emerald drives, now through February 3rd. These trees will then be used to help build dunes along the beach strand, thanks to the efforts of the Surfriders Foundation - Bogue Banks Chapter.

In addition, the local Sea Scout Ship & Maritime Explorer Club can assist you by picking up your tree for a donation. You can find more details about these options online through the Surfriders.

The Surfriders are in need of volunteers to help move the trees along the beach strand. You can RSVP by emailing the group at chair@boguebanks.surfrider.org.
EI Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Applications Now Open
Do you have what it takes to be an Emerald Isle Ocean Rescue Lifeguard, or know someone who does?

Applications are now open for lifeguard positions in 2023. You can find the job

The Emerald Isle Fire Department will begin testing in January, and training will start mid-March. Lifeguards will be on the beach strand in phases, beginning April 1.
NCDOT Bridge Work Schedule
The following information is from the North Carolina Department of Transportation:

On Sunday, Nov. 27, a state highway contractor began daytime lane closures on weekdays on the two-lane Emerald Isle Bridge (N.C. 58) for the ongoing bridge preservation project.

The contractor will follow this schedule for lane closures, lasting until March 31, when the project is scheduled to be completed:

  • Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday – potentially all day and night
The contractor may elect to work either Saturday or Sunday, or both days, on the weekends. The contractor in September resumed the rehabilitation work under nighttime lane closures.

Drivers should proceed cautiously over the bridge and expect possible delays.

When a lane is closed, flagging operations will be used to allow traffic from each direction to take turns crossing the bridge, so drivers should expect delays and proceed cautiously in the work zone.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.
Golf Cart Raffle Tickets For Sale

You could win a brand new golf cart from Johns Golf Cars by purchasing a raffle ticket!

The Emerald Isle Business Association has partnered with the Emerald Isle Golf Cart Advisory Committee for your chance to win this four seat, customized golf cart valued at $13,500!

Ticket sales will be online only until the Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Festival on Saturday, March 11. On that date, there will be in-person ticket sales, and the winner of the golf cart will be drawn that afternoon.

Online tickets are $20.75 and are now available. You can purchase multiple raffle tickets at the same time, with six for $100.

Proceeds will benefit area programs and charities through the Emerald Isle Business Association, and improvements to the Emerald Isle Golf Cart program.
Apply For Your 2023 Golf Cart Permit

Golf cart permits are now available for 2023 through the Emerald Isle Police Department. These permits expire on December 31 of each year, no matter when you last purchased a permit.

New this year: You will receive a golf cart safety keychain with your permit, that includes a QR code to our interactive golf cart map.

You can find the full list of golf cart rules and regulations on our website, along with your permit application. In addition, watch our video below for an overview of Emerald Isle's golf cart rules.
St. Patrick's Festival Set to Return
March 11

Gather your family, friends and best green attire - the Emerald Isle St. Patrick's Festival is slated to return on Saturday, March 11 at Emerald Plantation Shopping Center.

On this date, you can enjoy the beloved festival, which includes art and crafts vendors, nonprofits, food and drink vendors, a beer tent, amusement rides, live music and more! Please note, applications have closed for all event vendors.

On Saturday, amusement rides will be operating from 9 a.m. - 6 pm. In addition, food vendors, 75 arts and crafts vendors, beer garden and live entertainment will run from 10 am. - 5 p.m.

On Friday, March 10, join us for amusement ride armband night from 3- 8 p.m. There will be no food and drink vendors on this date.

Stay tuned for additional information!
Beach Driving Permit Applications Available

There are still a few months remaining in this beach driving season, and applications for the 2022-23 season are available online at www.emeraldisle-nc.org, or in person at the Police Department, at 7500 Emerald Drive.

You will receive an email alerting you when your permit is ready to be picked up at the EIPD.
The official beach driving season began Thursday, September 15th, and will conclude on April 30. There is a ten-day period around Easter when beach driving is closed.

Please note, the traffic pattern has changed this year when accessing the beach strand at the Point. Drivers should respect the roped off areas and follow the traffic flow. The new ingress and egress also applies to foot traffic.


Watch the video below for information on the beach driving application process.
Emerald Isle Neighborhood Watch

Join the Emerald Isle Neighborhood Watch in 2023! You can learn more information and helpful hints about keeping yourself and your neighborhood safe on our Neighborhood Watch webpage.

Don't forget to check out the latest Neighborhood Watch Newsletter, which is released monthly.
Register for the Medically Fragile List

The Emerald Isle Fire Department provides for special medical care and/or help evacuating during disasters, including hurricanes, to those who are registered under the Medically Fragile List.

It is important to note that this form should be completed and submitted to EIFD well in advance of impending disasters. If you or your family member are not already on this list, please take the time today to register.

Contact the Emerald Isle Fire Department at 252-354-2445 if you have additional questions, or would like to register with the Medically Fragile list.

Please note, this registration service was previously handled through Carteret County Emergency Services. If you previously signed up through the County, you will need to register with the Emerald Isle Fire Department.
Secure Your Ambulance Subscription

The Town of Emerald Isle is offering a subscription program to help offset the cost of an ambulance transport. This optional annual subscription of $50 covers the direct costs of ambulance services not paid by your insurance. The $50 covers two people: the head of household, along with one other person. You may include others living in the household for an additional $10 each. Your subscription begins two days after receipt of application, payment, and acceptance by the Town of Emerald Isle's Fire Department and expires on June 30th, 2023. There will be no refunds for cancelled or forfeited memberships.

Memberships will transfer, and provide identical coverage protection, once the Fire/EMS departments merge in 2023. Sign up today for this service.

Please note, any subscriptions done prior to June 30 have expired. This program runs from July 1 - June 30, with the Town's fiscal year.

You can register online for the subscription program or call the Fire Department at 252-354-2445 to complete the information over the phone.
The Emerald Isle Fire Department Is Now Hiring

The Town of Emerald Isle is now seeking a Firefighter/Paramedic to help serve our community in the Emerald Isle Fire Department.

Do you, or someone you know, want to work alongside a great team in a beach town?

Are you interested in working on the ambulance, fire truck and with the Ocean Rescue Lifeguards?

A strong applicant will be a certified paramedic with NC firefighter credentials, or the ability to obtain firefighter certifications by July 1, 2024.

This position includes a potential annual salary of $58,338, inclusive of overtime, paid holidays, a longevity bonus, a 48/96 schedule, and more.

Stay Up To Date: Follow Us Online

The Town of Emerald Isle has a number of official online platforms you can use to stay connected to the latest news, upcoming events, the Parks and Recreation monthly calendars, our live beach and traffic cameras, and more.

You can also view the monthly Board of Commissioners meetings, which are live streamed on our Facebook page. These meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

Follow us on the following platforms:

On Fridays we share pictures from the community - and we need your help. Send your best Emerald Isle pictures to Anna Smith, Town Clerk/Public Information Officer, at asmith@emeraldisle-nc.org for consideration. Please include "Friday Features" in the subject line, and the name of the photographer. You can also use #EmeraldIsleNC in your Instagram photos.
Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative Information


Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative (CCEC) will be giving two local middle school students the opportunity to hit the hardwood alongside their favorite college basketball athletes and coaches this summer, thanks to Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships.

CCEC will select one young man for a scholarship to attend the Carolina Basketball School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and one local young woman to attend the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Both camps will be held in June.
The scholarships cover all expenses at the overnight camps, which provide a glimpse into life on a college campus. Applications will be accepted Jan. 1 through March 31. To apply, go to ccemc.com/SportsCamps.

Contestants will be judged on academic records, extra-curricular activities and a required essay. To be eligible to win, students must be a rising 6th or 7th grader and have permission from a parent or guardian to attend. The scholarship winners will be announced in May.
Bogue Banks Water Corporation

BBWC Customers,

If planning on leaving your home for an extended period of time, evacuating for a hurricane or winterizing your home, please be sure to cut off your water at your customer cut off valve.

Most customer cut off valves are located in a green box close to BBWC's black meter box near the street. If you need help locating your customer cut off valve, please call our office and we can schedule for a technician to come out and mark your box with flags.

Note: Any repairs or replacement needed for the customer cut off valve are the responsibility of the customer. Please call a plumber.

As always, thank you for being our valued customers!