Cape Connection

Board of Commissioners Adopts FY 23-24 Budget

The Board of Commissioners adopted the Town's FY 23-24 budget following a public hearing at its May 22 special meeting. The total budget includes General Fund appropriations of $2,104,066 plus multi-year capital project appropriations for storm water improvements and bicycle path construction in the amount of $1,285,973.

The FY 23-24 General Fund budget includes sufficient funding to maintain current service levels and quality, adequately maintain Town facilities and equipment, and invests in targeted service, capital, and organizational improvements. The most significant items in the General Fund budget include the conversion of an existing position into a new Town Planner position to improve the Town's development review and code enforcement efforts, information technology and website improvements to improve efficiency, security, and transparency, an improved Fall Festival, more frequent vegetative debris collection, park improvements, competitive cost of living adjustments for Town employees, and more. Multi-year capital project appropriations will be used to continue the Town's planned storm water improvements at various locations around the Town, and to complete the Cape Carteret Trail along Taylor Notion Road and NC 58.

The FY 23-24 property tax rate is 21 cents per $100 of assessed value, a slight decrease from the FY 22-23 property tax rate of 21.25 cents. The Mayor, Board of Commissioners, and Town staff are all working hard to carefully control Town expenditures while providing the best possible Town services in an effort to keep the cost of your Town government as low as possible. There are no fee increases included in the FY 23-24 budget, and a few minor fees have been eliminated.

The Town is fortunate to enjoy a strong overall financial position, with total adjusted fund balance projected to exceed $2.3 million by the end of the current fiscal year. This is the highest total in the history of the Town.

The FY 23-24 Recommended Budget and the adjustments made by the Board and included in the FY 23-24 Adopted Budget are available on the Town's website. Please contact Town Manager Frank Rush with any questions or concerns.

What Improvements Should the Town Make To Town Parks?

Take Our Online Survey Now

The Town's Parks Improvements Committee, appointed by the Board of Commissioners, is working to develop recommendations for future improvements to the Town's 4 non-waterfront parks. The Committee wants to know YOUR thoughts and ideas, and invites Cape Carteret residents and property owners to take our new online survey!

The Parks Improvement Committee's website includes descriptions and photos of the Town's 4 non-waterfront parks located behind Town Hall, on Bahia Lane, on Quailwood Court, and on Taylor Notion Road. To take the online survey, please click HERE.

The Parks Improvements Committee also invites interested residents and property owners to attend a special public input meeting on Tuesday, June 27 at 6 pm in the Town Hall to share your thoughts and ideas about park improvements.

The Committee expects to make final recommendations to the Board of Commissioners this fall.

Sounds by the Sound Concert Series -

Next Concert is Wednesday, June 14!

The Town is pleased to have the Seaside Arts Council sponsoring the Sounds by the Sound Concert Series this summer!

The next free outdoor concert will be held on Wednesday, June 14 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at Community Park, located directly behind the Police Station at 102 Dolphin Street. The East Coast Jam Band will perform!

The third and final summer concert is scheduled for Wednesday, July 12.

Bring your lawn chair, and enjoy some great music with your neighbors!

Town Accepting Construction Bids for Storm Water Improvements in Sutton Drive, Ardan Oaks Areas

The Town remains committed to addressing storm water issues throughout the Town, and is currently soliciting construction bids for planned improvements in the Sutton Drive and Ardan Oaks areas. Bids for both projects are due by Wednesday, May 31.

The bid package for the Sutton Drive area is available on the Town's website by clicking HERE.

The bid package for the Ardan Oaks area is available on the Town's website by clicking HERE.

Both projects are designed by Tidewater Associates, Inc. Questions may be directed to the Town's engineer or Town Manager Frank Rush.

The Board of Commissioners will consider awarding construction contracts for both projects at its June 12 regular meeting, with construction expected to occur in July and August.

Street Resurfacing Work Planned for June

At its May 8 regular meeting, the Board of Commissioners awarded a nearly $217,000 contract to Thomas Simpson Construction, Morehead City, NC, for the resurfacing of approximately 1 mile of Town streets. Resurfacing work is expected to occur in June, and the project also includes drainage improvements along Neptune Drive.

The following street segments are included in this contract:

• Bayshore Drive, from NC 24 to Park Avenue

• Edgewater Court, from Bogue Sound Drive to Lejeune Road and from Live Oak Street to Easy Street

• Club Court, from Bogue Sound Drive to the end

• Rock Court, from Club Point Drive to the end

• Neptune Drive, from the northern end of Holly Lane east and south to the water.

The 2023 contract is focused primarily on the Bayshore area of Cape Carteret, and the Town plans to focus the 2024 contract on the Star Hill area, followed by the Old Cape Carteret area in 2025.

Funding for this contract is derived from State Powell Bill funds, General Fund balance, and American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Please contact Public Works Director Ryan Hutchinson with any questions or concerns.

Boat Ramp Passes Will Remain Valid Through December 31

The Town issued boat ramp passes for the use of the Manatee Street Boat Ramp last summer, and the passes initially covered the period from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 (the Town's fiscal year). The Town is in the process of changing the effective dates for the boat ramp passes to a calendar year basis, and the current passes will remain valid through December 31, 2023. Existing boat ramp pass holders don't need to do anything, and can simply continue to use the Manatee Street facility in the same manner by displaying the current pass.

In order to prevent overcrowding, the Town caps the issuance of boat ramp passes. A total of 300 passes were issued last summer, and the Town is not currently issuing new passes. The 2024 boat ramp passes will go on sale to Town residents and property owners beginning on November 1, 2023.

Next Vegetative Debris Collection Begins July 17

The next Town-wide vegetative debris collection event will begin on Monday, July 17. Residents should place vegetative debris at the curbside between July 1 and July 17, and Public Works staff will collect the debris as soon as possible beginning on July 17.

Limbs should generally be limited to 8 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter. Please avoid placement directly under utility lines and large trees.

Town Seeking Volunteers for Fall Festival!

Informational Meeting Scheduled for June 5

The Town is working hard to produce an improved and expanded Fall Festival, and the 2023 event is scheduled for Saturday, November 4. The Town is seeking volunteers to help plan the event, and also to staff the event on Saturday, November 4.

A special informational meeting for potential volunteers is scheduled for Monday, June 5 at 6:00 pm in the Town Hall. We'd love to have your help!

Be Safe Bicycling in Cape Carteret!

The Town encourages all residents and property owners to be active, and riding your bicycle is a great way to stay healthy, get around, and enjoy the outdoors! Visit one of the Town's waterfront parks, use the Cape Carteret Trail, ride to the store or get a bite to eat, or just explore your neighborhood!

It's important to stay safe while bicycling in Cape Carteret, and the Town reminds everyone of these key safety tips and NC laws:

• bicyclists under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet

• ride on the edge of the street, and with the flow of traffic

• equip your bicycle with a light if riding at night

• obey all traffic signals and stop signs

• don't ride a bike while under the influence of alcohol.

Be safe, and have fun!

Public Works Appreciation Week -

Thank you Cape Carteret Public Works!

The week of May 21 - 27 is Public Works Appreciation Week, and the Town of Cape Carteret is proud of our Public Works Department, led by Public Works Director Ryan Hutchinson! Ryan, Adam Littleton, and Todd Larson work hard to keep Cape Carteret's infrastructure functioning properly and looking good, and we're glad to have them serving YOU!

Independence Day Fireworks - Monday, July 3 at MACDaddy's!

The towns in western Carteret County are once again partnering to offer Independence Day fireworks, and this year's display will take place on Monday, July 3 at 9 pm at MACDaddy's Family Entertainment complex near the intersection of NC 24 and NC 58 in Cape Carteret. Festivities begin at 5 pm that evening, with musical entertainment and other activities, along with all of the fun that's always happening at MACDaddy's!

The 2023 fireworks display is presented by Emerald Isle Realty, and is led by the Town of Emerald Isle. The Towns of Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, Bogue, and Peletier are once again helping to support the event. Additional details will be provided as the date approaches.

Upcoming Town Meetings

The Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Monday, June 12 at 6 pm.

The Planning Board will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 20 at 6 pm.

The Parks Improvements Committee will hold its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 27 at 6 pm.

All meetings are held in the Debbie E. Stanley Boardroom at Town Hall, located at 102 Dolphin Street.

Stay Informed About the Town of Cape Carteret!

The Town of Cape Carteret is committed to providing timely, concise, and relevant information to the residents, property owners, businesses, and visitors to Cape Carteret, and "Cape Connection" is a great way to stay informed about the Town's issues, activities, and initiatives.

To join our mailing list, please click HERE , scroll to the bottom, and enter your email information. 

In addition to "Cape Connection", the Town offers the following opportunities to stay informed:

• Follow us on Facebook at Town of Cape Carteret NC.  Please note the "NC" on the end.

• Follow us on Instagram - townofcapecarteret .

• Follow us on Twitter - @TownofCapeC .

• Visit the Town's webpage at www.townofcapecarteret.org .

In addition, all of our customers are always welcome to call us at 252-393-8483, visit us in person at 102 Dolphin Street, or email Town staff .

Thank you for your interest in the Town of Cape Carteret!

Did You Know?

The Town maintains a street network that includes a total of just over 20 miles of Town streets. NC 24, NC 58, and Taylor Notion Road are maintained by the NC Department of Transportation, however, Town staff work to keep the right of ways clean and mowed along these roadways.