Mayor's Message - May 2024

I hope your Spring has been good so far. Spring breaks have come and gone and now the Summer busy season is next. Our staff has been preparing for the season for weeks with some of the initiatives reviewed in my last message – Traffic Planning Session with surrounding communities and support partners, outsourcing parking enforcement so our police staff can focus on other areas of enforcement, meeting with regional school systems alerting them to our increased staffing and enforcement focus. This proactive planning is critical to control what we can during our busy visitor season and ensure our residents and visitors enjoy a safe and orderly beach season.

As we eagerly anticipate the influx of visitors, I urge everyone to prioritize safety and respect for our environment. Let us be mindful stewards of our beaches, keeping them clean and preserving their natural beauty for generations to come. To our guests, I extend a warm invitation to explore all that our vibrant community has to offer. From local cuisine to a multitude of outdoor activities, there is no shortage of experiences to indulge in. To our residents, I thank you for your continued support and hospitality. Your warmth and generosity contribute to the welcoming atmosphere that defines our slice of paradise. As your mayor, I am committed to ensuring a memorable and enjoyable beach season for all. Together, let us enjoy the sun, sand, and surf, as we celebrate the essence of coastal living.

The long-awaited U. S. Army Corps of Engineers beneficial use project should be starting soon. This project will place
approximately 550,000 cubic yards of beach compatible sand on the intertidal surf zone of the beach from Breach Inlet to around 10th Avenue. This area has experienced significant erosion over the past 12-18 months and this project should help rebuild the dune system and dry sand beach in that area. We have also recently applied for a shoal management permit. If approved, this will allow us to assist nature with the shoals that pass from Dewees Inlet and speed the process of attaching to the shoreline and spread the sand in much needed areas on the north end of the island.

Reminders about upcoming events:

•May 4th – Isle of Paws Music Fest – 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Rec Center. Live music performances from local artists, pet-related vendors and services, food trucks and concessions and dog contest. Bring your lawn chair and four-legged friend for a fund day in the park. No dog, no problem – come out and enjoy live music in the park.

•May 15th – LENS Annual Banquet – 5:50 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at The Citadel Beach House. Tickets are available at lensiop.org.

•May 21st – Hurricane Expo – 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Rec Center. IOP City officials and various community partners will be available to educate citizens and provide resources for hurricane preparedness. Guests are encouraged to bring their families, as there will be fun activities and food available on site.
Updated and additional information can be found at iop.net.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve! See you around the island.
Phillip Pounds, Mayor IOP
843-252-5359
ppounds@iop.net