Summer is in full swing! What a great time of year to enjoy all our island has to offer. One of the primary duties of city council is approving a budget annually. Recently, city council approved the city’s budget for the next fiscal year which begins on July 1. For those who like to review the details, the full budget can be found on the city’s website. There is also a onepage summary for those who like to review it at a high level. The bottom line: Good news, no property tax increase for this year! Also, our cash reserves continue to grow even with several projects/initiatives slated to begin or be completed during the next budget year. Some highlights of the proposed budget: • Total revenues are projected to be $32.7 million • Total tourism revenue is projected to be $7.6 million • Total expenses are projected to The pride of Isle of Palms, SC today, tomorrow and always. • Every home on the Isle of Palms, including Wild Dunes • Every home on Sullivan’s Island • Mount Pleasant businesses • Charlotte’s most affluent zip codes DIRECT MAILED TO: SHIPPED TO: • All SC Welcome Centers throughout the state • The official Lowcountry kiosk at the Asheville/Hendersonville Airport • Local vacation rental homes Published digitally at www.readIslandVibes.com, Google has tracked residents from 50 states who read the digital edition. If you would like to be part of Island Vibes please reach out to Bill Macchio at 843-530-0403 or Publisher@IslandVibes.com THE GOLD STANDARD OF VACATION RENTALS WWW.IOPESCAPES.COM 13 IslandVibesIOP.com CIVICS Mayor’s Message FY 2026 budget approves no property tax increase By Phillip Pounds Mayor, Isle of Palms be $30.1 million • Personnel costs account for 41% of total expenses • No new debt is anticipated in this proposed budget Some of our projects planned include: • Drainage/stormwater – Palm Boulevard between 38th and 41st avenues, Waterway Boulevard multi-use path elevation, drainage/ ditch maintenance. • Dredging around the IOP Marina. • Reconstructing tennis courts at the rec center. • Numerous vehicle/equipment replacements for Police, Fire and Public Works departments. • Public Works transition of trash cans for future side-loading trucks. This will allow for a truck with an automated arm, like the recycling trucks, to more efficiently pick up our residential garbage. • Green space around the public dock at IOP Marina. • Continued beach maintenance at Breach Inlet and in Wild Dunes. Additional information and updates on these and other projects can be found at iop.net. There are many great upcoming community events to enjoy with friends and neighbors. You can get updates and find more information on upcoming events at iop.net or you can sign up for Sunnie to receive text alerts of city events and news by texting "Hello" to (877) 607-6467. JUNE 7 – Sand Sculpting Competition – Front Beach, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. JUNE 12 – Sea Stroll and Learn – 25th Avenue beach access, 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. JUNE 19 – Farmers Market – IOP Rec Center, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. JUNE 27 – Coffee with the Mayor – Public Safety Building (30 JC Long Blvd.) 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Thank you for the opportunity to serve! See you around the island. Phillip Pounds, Mayor IOP 843-252-5359 ppounds@iop.net
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