KDH board makes appointments

Sitting for the first time in a full meeting as a newly-constituted board, Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners made appointments to county committees and heard the staff’s finance report.

The appointment to the Street Improvement and Special Projects Committee was a contentious one. Com. Bob Woodard, one of two members remaining from the old board, nominated Com. Paul Buske, the other remaining member. Buske seconded the nomination, but the motion was voted down, 3-2. In making the nomination, Woodard noted Buske’s service on the board and his experience in construction. Mayor Sheila Davies then nominated Mike Hogan, a newly-elected member who was previously chairman of the planning board, and the motion carried by the same split vote. Later in the meeting, Buske said he hoped this would not be a harbinger of things to come, saying he hoped the two old members do not continue to be alienated “as they have been tonight.” Davies said it was not the new members’ intention to alienate anyone on the board. Jerry Froehlich, who lost his position on the planning board when the old board nominated someone from an engineering firm just before the new board was seated, was also appointed to this committee.

The other appointments proceded smoothly with  with Rob Rollason, an alternate on the board of adjustment, moving to full member and Mike Lowak moving to the alternate position. This was done by unanimous vote.

For the tourism board, that group asks that three names be submitted for them to choose from. Woodard currently serves on that board. The board members chosen were Woodard, Hogan and Brandi Rheubotton. By the same unanimous vote, Rheubottom was named to the Shoreline Management Commission, Davies was named to the Government Education Commission and two statewide nominees, and Dr. Bitly Edge and Marjorie Overton, both N.C. State professors, were approved for the Coastal Resources Commission (CRC). Renee Cahoon, Nags Head commissioner, currently represents this area on the CRC.

Staffer Beverly Brooks gave the financial report for the fiscal year ending last June 30. She said assets exceeded liabilities and the fund balance was $9.2 million, an increase of $418,002 from the year before. The occupancy, sales and property taxes make up  about 80 percent of the town budget, she said, adding that investment earnings were low due to low interest rates. Expenses were under the budget by 8.7 percent, and the assessed value of property in the town is $7 billion. There was an increase in the sales and occupancy tax collections, but the land transfer tax receipts remain lower than before the real estate market collapse. In the wastewater fund, revenues exceeded expenditures.

The board also set a public hearing for the January 25 meeting on a proposal to clarify the definition of wall signs and to modify regulations to be consistent with the definition section and historic interpretations.

The board heard from Amy Montgomery, director of community outreach for Outer Banks Hospital, on the hospital’s Couch to 5K Challenge, recognized police Capt. Mark Evans on his recent graduation from the FBI Academy and saw a presentation to Ocean Rescue for their donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

During her comment period, Mayor Davies said she would like to invite a student from the civics class at First Flight High School to sit in with the board at meetings as a liason between the board and school. This was done several years ago, but had been discontinued for various reasons. The consensus of the board was to do this.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m.