COLUMBIA — The Columbia Town Council approved a new municipal budget Monday evening that includes $35,000 for emergency repairs to a deteriorating waterfront bulkhead, while also receiving a law enforcement briefing on a year-long drug investigation and debating expanded ordinances to address junk vehicles and sewer delinquencies.

Mayor Sandra Owens opened the meeting with a prayer before moving through a packed agenda that stretched into a separate budget hearing.

Investigator Rebecca Phelps from the Tyrrell County Sheriff’s Office appeared before the council to deliver the monthly law enforcement report, detailing a wide range of incidents for May.

“For the month of May, we’ve had five investigations — incidences where you had commercial lettering, one communicating threats, a counterfeit money was passed,” Phelps told council members, adding that the counterfeiting case was nearly closed. “We found out who it was.”

Among the more serious incidents was a shots-fired call on Railroad Street and one felony cocaine possession charge stemming from a major raid.

“After a year-long investigation with ALE and the Sheriff’s Office, a raid was executed on Friday on the corner of Railroad Street and Fonzo Street,” Phelps said.

The operation resulted in the arrest of Isaac Spencer, 48, on charges including felony possession of cocaine, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for drug activity within a thousand feet of a park, felony possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting a public officer. Authorities also seized $1,325 in cash, an ammunition box, digital scales, and a cellphone. Spencer was held on a $50,000 secured bond, transported to the Dare County Detention Center, and has since made bond and been released pending his court date.

Mayor Owens asked about the length of the investigation, and Phelps explained the necessity of patience in drug cases.

“A lot of times people think, you know, if you see them dealing drugs, why aren’t you going down there doing anything?” Phelps said. “If we do it the wrong way, they’re going to get off with it. I can’t say that there are other drug investigations that are currently ongoing within the county, and I am pretty sure at some point, you’ll end up seeing that come out.”

Phelps also warned residents about an uptick in telephone scams.

“Anyone that tells you, hey, like you won this as long as you get this much in gift cards and send it to me — believe it or not, people still falling for it,” Phelps said. “Or they’ll say that they’re from law enforcement X, Y, Z and you have to turn yourself in, you got to send this money in. No one’s doing that whatsoever. If you have something, we’re going to come to you regardless.”

In response to a question about staffing, Phelps confirmed the department is not yet at full strength.

“No one wants to do this job anymore. Unfortunately, no one wants — more period, especially officers,” Phelps said, estimating roughly six deputies total on shift rotation.

Bulkhead Repairs Approved

One of the most pressing topics of the evening was the discovery of a significant structural problem along the town’s newly renovated waterfront boardwalk. Town Manager Monica Mauffray reported that contractors working on the boardwalk found a concrete slab near the corner of the town building sitting with nothing beneath it.

“Under the cement slab, it’s literally — it was literally just floating in air. There was nothing underneath of it. It’s eroded,” she told the council, noting the full extent of the erosion is unknown. A temporary brace has been installed at the corner.

The cost to repair the section is estimated between $25,000 and $35,000, with a possible CAMA permit adding up to $10,000 more. Staff recommended moving forward immediately, particularly while the current contractor is already on site.

“Sooner or later we’re going to have to do it,” staff said. “If he leaves and we have to bring somebody else in, it’s going to be more money.”

Mayor Owens said the situation had alarmed her.

“I feel like myself, we have been very, very fortunate that Riverfest or sometime that a lot of people were standing on that — it scares me when I think about it,” she said.

The council voted to approve $35,000 for the bulkhead repair at the budget hearing later in the evening.

Budget Adopted; Bridge Renamed

The council approved its fiscal year budget with revisions, including the bulkhead repair funds drawn from the general fund balance, $2,000 for an insurance adjustment in the utility fund, and $20,000 previously approved for wayfinding signs. Pulling from the fund balance for these items will leave approximately $100,000 remaining in that account.

Staff noted that County Manager David Clegg had been instrumental in securing state funding. “Mr. David Clegg, County Manager — we owe him a big thank you because he advocated for the town of Columbia right along with the county, and he was able to secure us all getting our money again this year,” Mauffray said.

The council also passed a resolution to rename a local bridge in honor of Mayor James Cahoon. Letters of support were submitted from a local pharmacy, the school system, and veterans at Legion Beach, along with a letter of approval from the Cahoon family. Staff confirmed the application and supporting documents will now advance to the next phase of the state review process.

Ordinance Discussions: Junk Vehicles, Sewer Service

Town attorney Will Crowe provided an update on efforts to strengthen the town’s property maintenance ordinances. The current ordinance only addresses vehicles that constitute health hazards, but state law would allow the town to define and remove junk vehicles more broadly — those with no license tag, sitting on blocks, or visibly deteriorated.

“The town ordinance can be updated to reflect that if that’s something the board wants to consider,” he said.

The council also discussed the challenge of a specific property near the school that has drawn numerous neighbor complaints about overgrown vegetation, multiple junked vehicles, cats, and possible unauthorized sewer use. Staff indicated that more than a dozen letters have been sent to the property owner with no response or action taken.

“Just got to make sure we’ve got the ordinance to back us up, that’s all I ask,” Crowe said.

Additionally, council raised the issue of e-bikes and motorized scooters on sidewalks as another topic for the ordinance committee to address.

Other Business

The council voted to reappoint Tim Nelson and Janet Walker to three-year terms on the planning board, and approved a six-month contract extension for former Town Manager Rhett White to provide periodic advice and expertise. The council also approved a $30,500 annual audit contract with Jeff Bass, a modest increase from the prior year’s fee.

A recess meeting to handle fiscal year-end budget amendments was scheduled for June 29 at 7 p.m. The town office will be closed on July 3 to observe Independence Day, which falls on Saturday, July 4.

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