Southport leaders rally against deannexation bill introduced to NC House

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — Two bills headed to the North Carolina General Assembly could see a handful of properties removed from Southport and Oak Island. 

House Bill 337 and House Bill 338 were both filed by Representative Charles Miller (R). The bills would deannex three parcels from the city of Southport and 11 parcels from the Town of Oak Island. 

The three parcels up for deannexation in Southport are home to Southport Motorcars, Southport Dog Training and Dog Parks, and Three Cheers Party Rentals. 

On Monday, Southport’s Board of Aldermen adopted a resolution to oppose the bill. Mayor Rich Alt said the requests are an attempt to avoid paying taxes. 

“People bought the property in Southport. We didn’t force annexation on any of that.” “You cannot make a revenue stream budget forecast if you have no idea what property is going to be in the city from one moment to the next.” 

Alt said the owner of Southport motorcars agreed to voluntary annexation a few decades ago.