OCEAN ISLE BEACH—Town commissioners approved the budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year Tuesday.
The $11,932,798 budget includes a 1-cent increase to 9 cents per $100 of valuation.
Earlier this month, Mayor Debbie Smith said the town did not want to propose a tax increase, but with increased costs and budget shortfalls facing the town, there was no other option.
One of the new costs facing the town is the takeover of the Ocean Isle Beach Fire Protection Association, effective July 1. The town will assume a $198,000 deficit when it takes over the department.