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The Boykins Town Council is investigating ways to provide tax relief to citizens as it develops the town budget. It is also working to see that drains and ditches in the town, along with a few relevant streets and alleys, receive the maintenance they require.

TOWN BUDGET AND TAX RATES

Boykins Town Clerk and Treasurer Victoria Edwards said in a Monday, May 13, email interview that no town budget has been proposed at this point in time, but budget workshops had been scheduled for April 27 and May 14.

Part of the budget work taking place has involved discussion of town tax rates, as the Town Council is responsible for setting the rates.

“The council acknowledged the recent proposed real estate assessed value increase for property owners and the increased tax burden this will have on town citizens,” Edwards stated. “During the first drafting session, several ideas were suggested, including looking at what other towns in Southampton County were doing to provide relief to citizens. No definitive changes were decided at the first drafting workshop.” 

MAINTENANCE FOR DRAINS, DITCHES AND ROADS

Among the new business items discussed at the Boykins Town Council’s regular April meeting were drains, ditches, streets and alleys in the town requiring maintenance.

Edwards explained that Boykins has a stormwater drainage system that goes throughout town. 

“It was determined that neither the state nor the county maintains the drains and ditches,” she said. “Councilman Chet Poland has requested that the Town Public Works crew map out the drainage system in order to begin the maintenance process. He stated at the meeting he will assist the Town Public Works crew in any way he can.”

A separate new business agenda item referenced non-state-maintained roads, specifically highlighting Wilson Extension, Woodland Drive and Busy Street.

“Within town limits there are a few streets and alleys that are not state maintained,” Edwards said. “Maintenance costs for these areas were discussed so that the estimated costs could be included in the upcoming budget workshop.”

TOWN CODE ENFORCEMENT

Edwards noted that Councilwoman Ella “Dee” Clary requested that the subject of code enforcement be put on the agenda.

“She listed several properties that were not in compliance with Town Codes 50.35 (Grass and Weeds), 93.36 (Unsafe Building/Structure), and/or 93.50 (Inoperable Vehicle(s)),” Edwards stated. “Councilwoman Clary requested Sgt. George Brozzo start the enforcement process for Town Code 50.35 and 93.50. Southampton County will be notified of the unsafe structures as Sgt. Brozzo is not certified to enforce building codes.”

TOWN ZONING MAP UPDATE

Edwards said that it was brought to the town’s attention that the Boykins Zoning Map had a few lots that were zoned for multiple zoning districts.

“The Boykins Planning Commission met in February to review the map and draft their recommendations for the properties with conflicting zoning districts assigned to them,” Edwards stated. “A public hearing will be set in the near future for the property owners to address the Planning Commission.”

TOWN MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE

In terms of upcoming events in Boykins, the town will hold its 108th Memorial Day service at Beechwood Cemetery on Sunday, May 19, at 3 p.m. Light refreshments will follow the service.

In the event of inclement weather, the service will be moved to Boykins United Methodist Church.