The village of Whispering Pines is in "good financial shape" at mid-year, according to a report made by a town official.

Village Manager Sue Shuster, who also serves as finance director for Whisper-ing Pines, said she was "very pleased" with the financial performance and budget management of village resources for the first half of the current fiscal year. Her comments came during Wednesday's regular monthly meeting of the Village Council.

"I am happy to report that the village has a fund balance increase of 7 percent, or about $99,000, when compared to last year," she said. "Conserv-ative revenue forecasting, a rigorous budgeting process and prudent management of the adopted budget have strengthened the village's financial position going forward."

The estimated total fund balance for fiscal year 2012-2013 will be $1,263,466, as compared with $1,164,191 for the previous year.

"This represents the 7 percent increase," she said.

The total general fund budget was $2,989,050 for FY 2012-2013.

"The village has received $2,360,096 of the budgeted $2,989,050, with significant local option sales tax and property tax revenues expec-ted to be collected before the fiscal year ends," Shuster said. "I have projected revenues to be $3,002,468, or 100.45 percent of budgeted revenues at June 30."

In other news, council members considered changes to several items in the village ordinance book.

Resident Bob Kroll asked if the council had considered regulating kayak use on Lake Thaggard as part of the procedures.

When Mayor Bob Zschoche said no, a discussion followed in which council and staff members discussed limiting the areas in which kayaks could travel on the lake to avoid potential accidents with motorized boats.

Whispering Pines Police Chief Domonic Campbell recommended restrictions on kayaks as a safety measure.

"Kayakers sometimes cross at mid-lake, and it is sometimes difficult for people piloting power boats to see them, especially when the kayak is the color of the water and the kayakers are not wearing reflective vests," he said. "I suggest that kayaks be restricted to areas within the buoys nearer to shore. They can still travel around the lake, and the power boats are not supposed to be in there."

The council, which holds its next regular meeting on March 13, decided to draft a proposal to the village Lakes and Watershed board for their response before making a decision.

Contact John Lentz at (910) 693-2479 or jlentz@thepilot. com.