The Town of Lake Waccamaw had a lot of business to discuss at the June 9 meeting held on Tuesday night. ‘A penny saved is a penny earned,’ and commissioners agreed that the same sentiment rings true when it comes to the municipality’s budget.
Budget Discussion
After careful planning and deliberation, leaders voted to accept the proposed budget that will start on July 1, 2026 and will run through June 30, 2027. The fiscal year budget for the Town of Lake Waccamaw for all funds is $11,592,546, which includes General Fund operations, enterprise funds, sanitation services, and significant capital investments through special revenue funds.
The General Fund budget is balanced at $2,008,863. This budget maintains the Lake’s current property tax rate of $0.30 per $100 valuation based on a projected collection rate of 98 percent. Public safety remains a top priority, with the police and fire and rescue departments representing the largest portions of General Fund expenditures. Administrative services, zoning, and public works functions are also funded to support daily operations and responsible growth management.
The board said there will be a small increase in water, sewer, and sanitation fees, but there will not be a tax increase for residents like in the previous year’s budget.
“Spend the money, the citizens’ money, like it’s coming out of your own household,” expressed Mayor Greg Jacobs. “Be smart with their money like your smart with your money, and we can keep the lights on.”
New Golf Cart Ordinances
Though the budget was the main event of the evening, other decisions were also made in the name of safety. Two years ago, the golf cart regulations were amended to include the use of NC DOT approved car seats for babies and toddlers on the small motorized vehicles. Lake Waccamaw Police Chief Corey Finch said the state does not recommend the use of the seats on golf carts because they cannot properly be secured.
Finch said through much trial and error himself, he could not find a way to install a car seat to a cart.
In addition to the car seat regulation, golf cart inspection dates will now be shifted to the month of July, and a new inspection sticker will be implemented so that officers can see the dates posted from the road. The decals will be good from July of 2026 to the end of June 2027. Liability insurance must also be carried on carts. Those found to be driving an illegal golf cart will have a $100 fine to pay.
Other Voting Items
Concerns were raised about the location of the new time capsule when the future Town Hall is built. On Tuesday evening, commissioners voted to relocate the container site to the Lake Waccamaw Depot Museum. The town will unearth the previously placed relic on July 4 of this year during the celebration of the country’s 250th birthday.
The day will include a golf cart and bike parade, a ceremony for the opening of the 1976 capsule, and a reception at the depot with ice cream and cookies where the items can be viewed. The Lake Waccamaw Fire Department will also hold their annual hot dog sale and boot drive on Independence Day.
Items to be placed in a new vessel to be opened in at the tricentennial on July 4, 2076 can be seen on June 14 at at 3 p.m. at the Lake Waccamaw Depot Museum.
Stay tuned for a full article about all the times and details for the Lake’s big July 4 celebration.
Copyright 2026 Columbus County News.
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