In Sunset Beach, North Carolina, 320 canal-front property owners are facing an unfair financial burden due to a proposed special assessment for canal dredging. This assessment aims to target only the canal-front owners, despite the fact that the state grant application clearly stated that the canal dredging would benefit the entire community, including visitors and businesses.

The health and maintenance of our canals is not just the responsibility of a select few.  The main objective of these canals extends beyond individual property rights and benefits.

Perhaps unbeknownst to much of the community, the canals contribute to the overall storm water management system, supporting the entire town not just those who live along the water's edge.

These waterways and their accessibility contribute significantly to our local economy by attracting visitors. These visitors enjoy our town’s amenities, spend money at our businesses, and ultimately increase revenue for the community.   In fact the budget for 2025-2026 includes a 15% increase in expenditures over 2024-2025 spending.  This Council is not fiscally responsible and using the targeted assessment to spend money they do not have in place of fiscal responsibility.  Does your budget allow you to increase your spending by 15% from one year to the next?

The town is imposing this burden irrespective of the water frontage. Changing the calculation and choosing to unlawfully assess per parcel rather than linear foot.  The result is that a typical 50' lot is charged the same amount as each of the public park parcels that have 1000' of water frontage.  These parks feature fishing access, kayaking access and general utilization of the waterways by the entire community.  Is this equitable?

The costs should be shared across the community as a whole, given the widespread benefits.  Hold the town board accountable to create a fair and equitable funding structure for the canal dredging now and in the future and avoid reckless spending.

I urge you to join me in voicing your objection to the proposed unfair assessment structure and insist on a reassessment that considers the benefit to the entire community. Let’s work together to push for transparency and equality in our town’s decision-making processes. Please sign this petition to demand accountability from the Sunset Beach Town Council and ensure a fairer solution for entire Sunset Beach community.