Dauphin Island Times

The following is a message from the Dauphin Island Property Owners' Board. It is intended for anyone interested in helping to support Dauphin Island in their efforts to raise funds for a protective berm.

FEMA has proposed a $4 million project to build a bench of sand and a berm on top on the West End. Also, the Town is researching the cost and availability of moving additional wash over sand from the sound side of the Island. You are encouraged to attend the 21 February 2006 Town-Council meeting at 7 pm to voice your concern for this critical project.

The local share required for the berm is 15%, or $600,000. At this point, it is uncertain whether the Town will fund the 15% share.

At its Saturday, 21 January Board meeting, the DIPOA voted to encourage the Town to pursue the project and agreed to support a private effort to raise money for the berm project. The Board believes that the berm is a benefit to the entire Island. It will protect the West End infrastructure, restore some of the West End beach owned by the DIPOA, and help with the Island’s recovery. The houses and rentals on the West End have historically been a source of substantial revenue to the businesses of the community, and to the tax revenues of the Town.

A private fund raising effort to support the berm has been suggested by property owners and real estate agents. The Board of the DIPOA supports and will facilitate this effort.

Such an effort was made in 1998 after Georges and we understand that over $100,000 was raised at a time when property values were much lower. Contributions are welcome in any amount from anyone. The DIPOA Board voted to make the initial contribution of $5000. At least two other contributions in that amount were received immediately after the meeting. We encourage amounts in the range of $2,500 to $5,000. These contributions may be made by sending checks, payable to the

DIPOA Berm Fund 2006
Bay Bank,
P.O. Drawer 349
Theodore, Alabama 36590-0349.

The funds will be in an escrow account for the berm. In the event construction of the berm is not begun by 12/31/2006, the contributions will be refunded to the contributor.

The DIPOA is not a 501© (3) entity. Therefore contributions are not automatically tax deductible. (They might be for rental properties, check with the IRS.) You should also know that the Dauphin Island Foundation is willing to
accept pledges. (Cash contributions to them are tax-deductible but not refundable.) The Dauphin Island Foundation address is:

P.O. Box 946
Dauphin Island, AL 36528

David Connolly has volunteered to coordinate this effort. He can be reached at 251-861-3054 (DI), 251-609-4559 (cell), or email: pelicnpb@verizon.net.

Persons living on the East end should note that the current berm proposal includes footage on the East end, running 600 feet West from Audubon.

If you would like to make a contribution you can download the pledge form directly from the DIPOA web site or directly from our site here.