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Commissioner.

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I will call this May 18th, the New Hanover County Commissioner meeting to order, and we will start with our invocation by a meme of dual-wrote.

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from Monterey of the Tahit Islamic Center of Woman.

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With God's name, the first of all,

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thank you back to the rest of Redeemer,

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the May of the Wise, the Most High,

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possessive greatness, give you all that's good,

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except that what only is good, we stand in home

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and we see sure to buy and promise upon this new

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Hanover County Board of Commissioners' meeting,

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thus our County Commissioners, the Parliament officials,

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and staff with a pursuit of excellence in the management

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of their responsibilities, but somehow we're counting to remain vibrant in its effectiveness

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to tourism and commercial investments of high quality of life potential.

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And our commissioners with the best political and financial acumen as they navigate the

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waters of budget restraints, grant them wisdom and logic and less time to follow the

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logic towards logical conclusion in their decision-making process, plus to mend their efforts

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of transparency, openness, and mutual consultation in the conduct of current affairs.

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And when this meeting comes to an end, bless those present, with a safe return to the

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intended destination, I mean.

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Sir, please join me in facing the Black people's students, the Black, the Holy United States

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of America.

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And you're a republic for which stands one nation on a guy in the visible, with a liberty

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and justice for all.

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Thank you, sir.

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We appreciate that.

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and we have some letter to officials in the room from school board.

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Thank you all for being here today.

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We appreciate your participation in our meeting today.

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And we won't move right along with our consent agenda.

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Do we have any questions on that?

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Move the consent agenda.

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Second.

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All in favor?

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All right.

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Our next order of business will be presentation of surface award

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and an introduction of new employees.

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Good morning.

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Thank you, Madam Chair, to the board.

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It's always an honor to be with you, but it's a particular pleasure to be with you when

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we have the opportunity to recognize, personally, some of the best in the brightest.

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And that's folks that have worked with us that are reaching important milestones and those

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that have decided to join New Handover County.

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So thank you for affording us the opportunity.

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We do have five, I'm sorry, four retirees this morning to recognize.

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We don't like it when someone we're retires, but we understand they've earned that right and

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We are thankful for everything that they've done for us in their time

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So I'm gonna begin with our first retiree this morning Matt Winkle from Facility Management Matt if you would come forward and let me read

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a bit about your time. Thank you sir

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Matt Winkle is retiring after 11 years of dedicated service with facilities management

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Matt began his career as a sign technician before being promoted to Project Coordinator, where

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he played a central role in the county's construction and renovation projects. His most recent

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role is a trade technician. He brought the same creativity, energy, and craftsmanship

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that had defined his career from the very beginning. Among his many contributions, Matt's

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leadership on the Senior Resource Center Innovation stands out as a signature achievement.

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He took the lead on the project's interior design, including furniture selection, and brought

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both artistic vision and practical discipline to work.

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Isn't it nice when you can have artistic vision and a public facility, but also practically

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designed?

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He earned the trust of the departments he served by consistently demonstrating creativity, expertise, and reliability.

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Anyone who's worked alongside Matt will tell you that each year he hand makes holiday gifts or his co-workers.

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Those gifts become something people genuinely look forward to, to small, but meaningful reflection of

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Matt's generosity, his thoughtfulness, and the care he's brought to the people around him,

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and the people that he's served. 11 years of outstanding service, congratulations Matt.

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Thank you for everything that you've done. It's been an honor to know you and work with you. Congratulations.

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Now,

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again, thank you for all that you've done in congratulations on your retirement.

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We're going to recognize another individual this morning, Oundina Barronsky from Health

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Human Services, Social Services.

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Congratulations for 14 years, thank you so much for choosing to be on our standing next

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to me, read about your time.

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On Dina Baronski is retiring after 14 years of dedicated service within economic services in the department of social services.

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As a human services case worker, on Dina has been a steadfast presence in the lives of the individuals and families she served.

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Each day, she brought skill and professionalism to her work along with a genuine sense of care that extended far beyond the requirements of the role she served.

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She consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to helping others.

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Often bridging gaps, advocating for her customers, and finding ways to connect people, support

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they need, and ultimately that's why I work here.

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On Dean's work is the kind that rarely makes headlines, but it changes lives.

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When families walked through the doors, carrying the weight of difficult circumstances, on

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them with steadiness, dignity, and a sincere commitment to serving them well.

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For 14 years of service, reflect a career grounded in fashion, accountability,

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doing what is right.

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The example she said will continue to influence the department for years to come.

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Wow. What a career. 14 years. Thank you for your service, Lena. Congratulations. We can never replace you, we just hope that we can find people who have the same passion and commitment to greatness.

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boarded our community. Congratulations. Thank you for 14 years of service.

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And Dina again, congratulations. Thank you for your service.

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Commissioners, we're going to recognize another retiree this morning, Lieutenant Ron Beesley,

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17 years of service. Please come forward, sir.

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I'd be. But to the details, but Lieutenant Beesley's pulled me out of order.

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on this in my time. Thank you for that, sir.

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Lieutenant Ron Beesley is retiring after 17 years of dedicated service with the Sheriff's Office.

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Ron's career reflects steady growth in our entrust. He began in the due-dissial services division as a bailiff,

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before serving in the uniform patrol division and in the detective division,

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where he advanced to the rank of sergeant. He later returned to judicial services

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attaining the ranks of first sergeant and ultimately lieutenant.

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His record of recognition speaks to the quality of his service.

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Ron was named deputy of the year in 2018, and honor that reflects performance as well as respect of his peers and his supervisors.

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He also holds both intermediate and advanced law enforcement certifications and is the recipient of the Maritorious Service Award.

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distinctions that reflect a career-marked by professionalism, excellence, and integrity,

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come to the for all of us to live up to.

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Lieutenant Beesley has served this community with professionalism, dedication, and

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a quiet consistency that made the people around him better at what they do.

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His legacy is going to endure through the officers he's mentored, the cases he's

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worked in the community so faithfully served the last 17 years, Lieutenant, congratulations

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on an outstanding career.

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Thank you for everything that you've done to make our community safe healthy.

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Here, as I said, we can never replace people of your professionalism, your activeness,

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hope that we can find people that are dedicated to public service call, happy graduations.

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Thank you, sir.

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Thank you, sir.

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Thank you very much.

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We have a fourth retiree to recognize this morning, Anthony Akatata from building safety.

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These sections division Anthony, if you would come forward.

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Let's come on up here and let me read about your 19 years of service.

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Good morning, good morning.

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Anthony Akatata is retired after 19 years of dedicated service with new hand over county building safety.

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inspections, where he served as a code compliance official throughout his entire career.

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The boom we've had, this gentleman, helped make sure that we build our structures well

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in a according to code. Anthony, thank you for being here during this most pressing time.

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Anthony brought deep technical expertise and a strong commitment to doing things the right way.

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That's twice we've heard that.

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Holding a level three electrical certification, he earned a reputation as a trusted and dependable member of his department.

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When a quick fix revealed a bigger problem, Anthony never walked away.

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He stayed late.

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He dug in, and he made sure the work was done right.

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His patients, the study approach, in genuine care for others, made him a stabilizing force within the inspection's department.

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We're nearly two decades, Anthony has built strong working relationships across the departments,

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and earned a reputation that speaks for itself.

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He shared his knowledge freely, supported colleagues generously, and sat a standar, a professionalism, and integrity.

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His legacy will continue through the work he has done, and the standard he has set, and the buildings he has expected.

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Please join us in celebrating and congratulating Anthony and Kato after 19 years of service to

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NewHano over County.

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We can't replace it.

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We're not even going to try, we just want to find people the same passion for public

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services.

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Thank you, sir.

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Congratulations.

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Thank you for keeping us safe healthy and secure.

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Madam Chair, there's four people that have provided tremendous service to our community.

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I believe they deserve another round of applause, Madam Chair.

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Thank you.

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So, I'll share with you what Commissioner Ryvan Barks said. He believes that New Hanover County ought to issue a moratorium on retirement. I happen to agree with that.

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So, no one else, hopefully, will retire. Those are the last four folks to leave the employee of New Hanover County.

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Yeah, because you can't replace and you don't try to replace people like that. You just hope that you can find people that are of equal capacity and commitment.

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We're going to recognize some folks that have achieved or met important milestones in service

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to New Hanover County when I call your name if you would please come forward.

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I'd like to be the first to shake your hand and thank you and then invite you to meet with

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the board.

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We're going to start with 10 years to skip right over the first five years of service.

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We're going to go right to 10 years this morning and recognize first from information

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Technology, Elizabeth King. Elizabeth, congratulations.

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Thank you for what you do.

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Also, with

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10 years of service in building safety on the permitting side, Amy Lewis. Amy, congratulations

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and thank you for what you did.

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Missioners, with 10 years of service in fire services, David Stone.

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David, congratulations and thank you for what you did.

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Missioners, we're going to proceed forward to 20 years of service. Now that this is beginning to really find a rare air.

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Someone's been with an organization for 20 years and it's an honor this morning to recognize first from emergency management.

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Steven still. Steven, congratulations. Thank you for what you did.

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commissioners also with 20 years of service in fire services, Mike Whitman, Mike.

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Congratulations.

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Thank you for what you do.

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Missioners with 20 years of service in the Department of Social Services, Patricia

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Jensky.

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Patricia King, congratulations.

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Thank you for what you do.

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With 20 years of service, Parks and Gardens, Andy Johnson.

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Andy, congratulations.

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Thank you for all the Greens today.

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This is also with 20 years of service in parks and gardens, Stacey Tau.

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Stacey, congratulations.

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Thank you for everything that you did.

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We're going to move forward to 25 years of service.

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In the first person, we're going to recognize this morning from the Department of Social Services

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is Monica Jacobs.

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Monica.

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Congratulations and thank you for what you do.

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Missions, we also have another 25 year service recognition, but before we invite her up, I want to thank her for reminding

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me that we did not do service awards in January, February, and March as the calendar fell

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And that we overlooked the chance to recognize some folks that

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had made significant contributions to our organization in that time.

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And so with 25 years of service in the Health Department,

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bands of McNeil, Pazza, congratulations.

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Thank you for what you do.

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Pazza's out front and leading.

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She said it's okay to tell you this.

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She, this is the genuine truth, and again, people have opinions of COVID, but

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Panzerming Neal was the very first person in New Hand over County to have a COVID-19 vaccine,

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because she was on the front edge leading our vaccination plan.

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So, Panzer, thank you for everything you've done, but thank you for moving us through

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the most troubling period in our county's history.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Also, with 25 years of service in the Health Department, Jeffrey Sugs, Jeffrey Congratulations.

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Thank you for what you did for this.

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We have one final recognition to make this one, and this is a service award.

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This is not a retirement, but this is when you begin to get into the space where you have a lot of options.

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And it's always thrilling when the option is to remain a part of this organization.

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and so with 30 years of service in the Health Department, Michelle Williams.

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Michelle, thank you so very much.

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So I'll tell you this as well.

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Michelle is the one who taught me how to beat.

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I shouldn't tell my personal business, but I will.

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How to beat the gal.

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How to know when it's coming on.

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And what it takes to knock it back.

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And so since she intervened, I have not had.

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had to take the medicine, but I haven't had to endure the pain of it.

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So, 30 years, thank you for what you do.

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Thank you for keeping me healthy.

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I'm Chair, just a small sampling of the best and the brightest.

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They deserve another round of applause.

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Thank you for everything that I'll do.

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So we're going to recognize folks that have joined the team since the board last met

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on a day meeting.

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And the point is, they too represent the best in the brightest.

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They haven't had their career yet, but I like to say because it's true.

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We have a deep applicant pull.

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And the hardest thing is to be hired into New Handover County.

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It's difficult to remain because we have the board has high expectations.

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But to be asked to join the team is a difficult lift.

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And you're here because through that process, you demonstrated first among

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equals that you were passionate about and committed to public service.

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If you don't lead with that, you can't be successful here.

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So I want to thank you for coming to work with New Handover County.

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We look forward to recognizing you in five years after incredible contribution.

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So when I call your name, if you would, please stand up.

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We want to give you a proper welcome to New Handover County.

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First, in the County Attorney's Office, Risk Management,

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Tony Cummings, Tonya. Welcome. Thank you for coming to work with us in the Department

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of Social Services, Cynthia Mundwia, Cynthia. Thank you for coming to work with us in

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the Health Department, Brandy Holmes. Brandy, thank you. Thank you for being here. Also

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go in the Health Department, Ashley Thompson.

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Ashley, congratulations.

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Thank you.

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Also in the Health Department, Shares West.

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Thank you for joining us.

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The Senior Resource Center, Wendell and Driscoll.

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Thank you for coming to work with us.

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And in the New Handover County Sheriff's Office, Jessica Bowers.

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Thank you all for joining new hand over county and Madam Chair.

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That concludes employee service works.

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Thank you.

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As you can see, we have some very talented and dedicated folks in the hand over county.

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And we thank you all so much.

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Appreciate you.

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Our next thing is consideration of an introduction of the bond order and

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Resolution to set a public hearing date for the general obligation bond for

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Capital needs of new hand over county schools.

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Thank you for being able to take care of our chair commissioners.

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At the April 20th, 2026 Board meeting, you all took the first several formal steps

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that are required to place a referendum on the November ballot.

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So, obtained authorization to issue 320,525,000 in general obligation bonds

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to be used for capital for the New Canterbury County Schools.

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At that meeting, you approve several files.

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Planning is a fact, and directed the publication of notice to apply for this step with the Local Government Commission.

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Subsequently, the notice was published with the star news on April 21st, and an application was filed with the LGC on May 4th.

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As a reminder, this slide shows the projects that are expected to be funded with the debt proceeds.

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There's the phase one of the Master Plan for New Handover High School, a new Trask Middle School,

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a replacement school for Mary C. Williams and River Lights, a rebuild of Pine Valley Elementary,

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an addition to Porter's neck elementary, and district wide equipment,

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replacement and improvements.

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The next steps in the process are to introduce the document that is the bond order

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and to set a date for the public hearing.

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When adopted, the bond order is a formal statement by the board that authorizes or affirms

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four items.

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First, it's formally authorizes the amount of the bond issuance.

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Second, it affirms that the county will let he taxes in an amount sufficient to ensure

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repayment of all interest and debt, principle and interest on the debt.

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Third, the bond order affirms that the sworn statement of debt has been followed with

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the clerk to the board and is available for anyone to come and inspect it.

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and forth in those at the Bond World will take effect if approved by the voters and

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referendum that's scheduled for November the 3rd, when he's 26.

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The full draft of the Bond orders included in the agenda materials with a title Bond

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order authorizing the issuance of 325,000 general obligation bonds of the county of New

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Hanover North Carolina.

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The intent for today is to provide to the public at draft of the Bond order and also

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would not a resolution that sets a public hearing date to give the citizens an opportunity

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to comment on that model. Specifically, the resolution proposes a public hearing date of June

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the 1st, 2026, and direct staff to notice a published notice that public hearing honor before

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in May 25, 2026.

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The next steps to the referendum process are shown here. Tomorrow is warm

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statement of that, and statement of disclosure will be filed with the court to the board,

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will be available for public inspection, the statement of disclosure will note that an expected

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increase the proper tax rate of 1.75 cents per $100 of assessed value associated with the

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data issuance. By next Monday we will publish a notice of the June 1st public hearing and then on

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June 1st, after the public hearing you will consider adopting the actual bond order and also passing

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a resolution setting the bond referendum. Those are the last statute to restups that you

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is the border charged with prior to the November 3rd, 2026 referendum.

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Next concludes my comments.

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Thank you, Eric.

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Through any comments or questions for Eric.

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I'll just just keep moving it along.

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What happened to your comments?

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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I just want to say a few words about this as we move forward with the process.

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Commissioners, that one I had the opportunity to serve on the finance committee

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alongside county staff, school district staff, school board members and community members

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through many meetings to help shake the parameters of the spot, so I want to thank everybody

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for their work on this, but you can keep finance votes and all of you.

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After considerable deliberation, these projects arose at the top of the most critical needs

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across the county.

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Phase one in the November addresses long deferred needs for historic institution, Pine Valley's

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billowing model is outdated, impresons safety challenges, and new design and corrects this.

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New Trust Middle School relief significant overcrowding at Laney and River Light's Elementary

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Transition students and staff so modern facility the addresses both the growth in the area and the condition of

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Mary C Williams and Porter's neck was full when it opens, so it addresses that directly.

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I do want to know that Isaac Barrett early college, it didn't make the bond, but that school has operated out of trailers

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At young on the campus of UNCW for nearly 20 years, and those trailers are at the end of their life span, so I am actively

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And conversations with superintendent the chancellor of UNCW to work towards a solution for that

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So I just wanted folks to understand that that work continues.

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So I'll report to the public hearing on the first

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so our community can learn more about what the bond is

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and ask questions.

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So thank you, Eric.

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Commissioner Zappel.

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Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

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Eric, thank you for that.

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Run down, gave the public and everyone a really clear and detailed

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list of what it is we're anticipating.

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We just want to thank the members of the school board

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that took time today to come out to this

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and our school administration, Superintendent Barnes,

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assistant superintendent, Julie Barnum, that are here.

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I know over the past year, maybe that we've been more than that.

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We've been meeting, and I want to thank them for the transparency of the process.

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As we work through a variety of different options, we know that this is not the end.

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We are not solving all of the schools' problems, but we're taking a big hunk out of it.

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It's going to make our community better, also actually Sutton, the CFL, I didn't mean to leave you out.

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And you were just blocked from my view because you were an incredibly important part in all of these discussions.

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So I want to thank you again for the process that you made that being inclusive, myself and Commissioner Walker,

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being able to sit on there, it helped us move the information along to our commission and to get us here today.

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And what midday at this point here, we're moving at lightning speed when it comes to government.

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So thank you.

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And I just have a quick comment.

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I want to thank our school board members and our superintendent for being here.

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And for our citizens of New Hannover County, this is an example of your commissioners working together with the school board for the better of our children.

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This is something that's very important to us.

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This bond will have a lot of fixes for us and we're excited about it.

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And with that, I'd like to entertain a motion.

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I have a two-port motion, Madam Chair, number one, I want to acknowledge the bond order

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authorizing the issuance of 320,525,000 general obligation school bonds of New Hand, County

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of New Hand over North Carolina, and number two, that we adopt the resolution set in the

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public hearing for June 1st, 2026.

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Second.

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Okay.

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All in favor?

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All right.

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Okay.

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We'll follow up with that on June 1st.

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So our next item of business will be our fiscal year 2526 financial results from nine months ending March 31st, the 2026 presentation.

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Thank you, Madam Chair.

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As noted, we're going to review financial results through March 31st, 2026.

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This slide reflects the county's budgeted revenue sources for the year.

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As shown here, the property and state of sorry property and sales taxes fund 81% of the county's operations.

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And so those two items of revenue are critical for our financial results.

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This slide shows a history of our property tax rate over the last five years.

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This was a devaluation year in the large increase in property values and able the counties

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to reduce the property tax rate in 45 cents to 30.6 cents for this year.

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That is currently the fifth lowest property tax rate in the state to the right is the ranking

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of the lowest 10 counties in the state and the table below that shows several other

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of notes. With January 5th, being the last day this year that citizens could pay their property taxes

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without interest, we've now received the great majority of property taxes that we'll get for the year.

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This slide shows where we stand with regard to property taxes through the first week of May,

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as shown in the blue bar to the right, through May 7th property tax receipts of amount of $237.1 million,

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with a total budget of $241 million. This means that we need to collect $3.9 million,

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the rest of the fiscal year to achieve budget.

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Of that amount, we expect to receive $3,000,000

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on vehicle taxes by June 30th related

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to monthly license plate renewals.

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That means we need to realize $800,000 in other property taxes

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to achieve budget.

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Last year, between May and June, we received 550,000

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over that same period.

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So it's possible we may and just fractionally

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short on property tax revenue, which has been impacted

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by higher than anticipated appeals activity.

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but overall essentially writing budget, writing line with expectations.

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As noted earlier, sales taxes,

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at the second county second largest revenue source,

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this slide presents the most up-to-date information on sales taxes.

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The green bar to the left shows our actual receipts

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for the most recently reported month of February,

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2026.

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Through that date, we received $74.4 million in sales taxes,

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which is $3.1 million lower than expected,

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and $2.1 billion less than last year, however this is favorable, untavable.

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Variances don't seem to be indicative of softness in the overall spending in the county.

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Instead, the underlying data shows that spending continues to steadily increase, but the

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county has experienced an unusually high level of sales tax refunds this year.

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As background, nonprofits and government into these pay sales taxes on all purchases

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at the time of purchase, just like anybody else, subsequently

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those types of entities can file refund request to the state to get them paid back.

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Those refund repayments are netted against the county's gross collections and the months

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that they are paid and thus they negatively impact the monthly sales tax amounts that we receive.

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This slide shows that gross sales tax is a work 0.5% for the county this year, while refunds

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of increased 210%.

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Further research indicated that this large increase in refunds was primarily due to a single

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large entity in the county that filed refund request going back three years, which is the

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maximum permissible. It is SAS expectations that refunds will now revert to lower amounts

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going forward and we should see an increase in sales tax receipts going forward. In that regard,

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this slide shows a performance sales tax amount that assumes this year's sales tax refunds

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matched the prior year. As indicated here, we would be seeing an overall 2.8 percent increase

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under that assumption.

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Given their significance, these slides just discussed,

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related property and sales taxes that were updated

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with the latest information possible,

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the rest of the slides to be discussed

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for remark 31st, 2026.

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This slide presents a snapshot of financial results

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with a standard green, yellow, and red light assessment

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with comments out to the side.

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As indicated by all the green lights,

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just about all of our items and funds are in good

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position at this point in the year.

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The only areas of concern was for how lighten and yellow were sales taxes and general fund expenditures.

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We just discussed sales taxes a moment ago and general fund expenditures will be discussed in just a moment.

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This slide presents the total revenue of the general fund total revenue year to date as amounted to 353 million compared to a budget of 337 million and the prior year of 322 million.

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So those are all favorable revenue variances.

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The primary reason for the variance compared to budget is the sales and nursing building

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to keep your community college for $11.4 million dollars that occurred last October.

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00:41:47,220 --> 00:41:51,700
Compared to the prior year in addition to the building sale property taxes are up $17 million

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00:41:51,700 --> 00:41:58,140
as results of growth of the tax base and a tax rate that was set 4.8% above revenue neutral.

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Total expenditure, so first nine months of fiscal year 2026,

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demanded the $327 million, which is $1 billion under budget,

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00:42:07,690 --> 00:42:11,990
and $20 million, $29 million, higher than last year.

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00:42:12,570 --> 00:42:15,970
While in line with budget, ideally, we would be tracking under budget,

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00:42:16,110 --> 00:42:19,170
because we have a portion of our budget, it spends its expenses,

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the do not occur, until after June 30th,

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and we have to bring to you those items to be re-budgeted in the following year.

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As noted here, at this point last year, we were under budget by $22 million dollars, and

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00:42:32,130 --> 00:42:35,470
two years ago, we were under budget by $13 million dollars.

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00:42:35,790 --> 00:42:40,290
But you can also see that compared to the last quarter, when we were under budget by $3.5 million,

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we have moved in the right direction.

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And because of timing fluctuations, there will definitely be variances between the years.

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In reviewing underlying detail, the only item that stands out as the one that will likely

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00:42:52,610 --> 00:42:57,190
not rights us, and all material respects by here and relates to our medical expenses.

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00:42:58,130 --> 00:43:02,070
As discussed last in last quarter's report, we are trending significantly higher in medical

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00:43:02,070 --> 00:43:06,490
clients compared to last year, and we also changed the timing of when we threw up our

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00:43:06,490 --> 00:43:07,670
general leather expense.

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00:43:09,690 --> 00:43:13,730
Separately, in prior reports to you, I noted the personnel expense was also trending higher

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00:43:13,730 --> 00:43:18,670
because of the phase-end, a position reduction to occur this year, and the associated lump

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00:43:18,670 --> 00:43:31,150
on payments due at the departure. While it is likely that we will not quite get all the way back to the budget, our personal expenses now tracking at or better than expectations, and any variances in this line items should be minor by year end.

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In comparing current year expenses to the prior year, I've listed five items at the bottom of the slide that it comprased in 1980 for some of the increase, including the higher medical expenses, increase investment in public education, and public safety, the Western Bank lane purchase,

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and higher economic and Senate payments.

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This slide shows more detail on the revenue items.

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We've noted already that property tax revenue, $235 million is in line with budget.

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00:44:02,290 --> 00:44:05,570
Sales taxes are below expectations due to refunds.

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00:44:05,570 --> 00:44:09,030
Another revenue shows the impact of the CFCC building sale.

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And it's noted at the bottom,

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we received a non-county agency grant from the endowment.

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And we've also now received $400,000 in our General Fund related to Hurricane Helene assistance reimbursements.

455
00:44:26,120 --> 00:44:30,220
This slide provides detail on our General Fund expenditures by major function.

456
00:44:31,100 --> 00:44:35,640
The blue bar for each function is actual expenses, and the red bar is budget.

457
00:44:37,060 --> 00:44:42,340
You can see that except for the General Government function, actual expenses are less than budget expenses.

458
00:44:43,240 --> 00:44:47,760
And that's because variance is a medical expense or house of a general fund, general government

459
00:44:47,760 --> 00:44:48,300
function.

460
00:44:49,020 --> 00:44:53,000
So that's the reason why the blue bar is higher than the red bar for that one function.

461
00:44:54,600 --> 00:44:58,400
And summary for the general fund is expected that this building sale revenue will all

462
00:44:58,400 --> 00:44:59,760
set the higher medical expense.

463
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:03,600
And that overall this will result in performance in line with expectations.

464
00:45:06,950 --> 00:45:11,990
The environmental management fund is funded without taxes by charging fees for its services at the landfill.

465
00:45:12,670 --> 00:45:22,110
As shown here, revenue for the years amounted to $14.6 million, compared to a budget of $13.1 million, and the prior amount of $14.2 million.

466
00:45:22,110 --> 00:45:27,830
Tonage at the landfill, while slightly lower the last year remains at a high volume of 293,000 tons

467
00:45:27,830 --> 00:45:31,710
through the first nine months of the year, and as noted here, we received the first

468
00:45:31,710 --> 00:45:37,930
payment of $200,000 related to the gas-to-energy project. The current year implementation

469
00:45:37,930 --> 00:45:42,430
of the minimum charge at the landfill and penalties for ban materials have contributed to

470
00:45:42,430 --> 00:45:47,450
the favorable variances. Expenses are slightly higher than last year, but are turning

471
00:45:47,450 --> 00:45:50,650
lower than budget, which is primarily due to timing and payments.

472
00:45:52,110 --> 00:45:55,090
Expenses exceed revenue at this point in the year, only because budget

473
00:45:55,090 --> 00:45:59,810
it transfers out to capital project funds, and they've been fully made now, and there'll

474
00:45:59,810 --> 00:46:00,970
be no more in the fourth quarter.

475
00:46:04,980 --> 00:46:08,920
As it relates to fire services, it's revenue is primarily derived from property and sales

476
00:46:08,920 --> 00:46:11,620
taxes, which are tracking within 1% of budget.

477
00:46:12,620 --> 00:46:17,800
As noted here, also noted here, the property rescue has, I'm sorry, the fire rescue has

478
00:46:17,800 --> 00:46:21,660
for $200,000 in Hurricane Helene reimbursement payments

479
00:46:21,660 --> 00:46:23,100
thus far this year.

480
00:46:23,980 --> 00:46:26,120
The large increase in revenue compared to the prior year

481
00:46:26,120 --> 00:46:28,540
is due to this year's property re-daluation

482
00:46:28,540 --> 00:46:30,560
without a corresponding tax rate change

483
00:46:30,560 --> 00:46:31,720
in the fire rescue fund.

484
00:46:32,500 --> 00:46:34,900
The extra revenue is funding the debt payments related

485
00:46:34,900 --> 00:46:36,520
to two new fire stations,

486
00:46:37,100 --> 00:46:39,100
staffing with the net addition of one station,

487
00:46:39,820 --> 00:46:41,180
as well as a pilot staffing model

488
00:46:41,180 --> 00:46:42,000
with one of those stations

489
00:46:42,000 --> 00:46:43,940
to help determine the best level of service.

490
00:46:45,220 --> 00:46:46,220
While those factors result

491
00:46:46,220 --> 00:46:50,660
expenses being higher than prior year, you can see that they are below budget, which is primarily

492
00:46:50,660 --> 00:46:54,480
associated with a budget to purchase for a fire engine that is expected to occur in the next

493
00:46:54,480 --> 00:46:55,080
three months.

494
00:46:59,720 --> 00:47:03,120
This is the fifth year of the county providing storm water services to the Unincorporated

495
00:47:03,120 --> 00:47:03,500
County.

496
00:47:04,160 --> 00:47:08,140
The fees are included in the property tax bills, and thus followed with similar look pattern

497
00:47:08,140 --> 00:47:08,860
ever seen.

498
00:47:09,640 --> 00:47:13,800
The storm water fee charge to citizens in the Unincorporated County is unchanged from prior

499
00:47:13,800 --> 00:47:17,780
year, and as you can see on the left hand side of the chart, total revenue is consistent

500
00:47:17,780 --> 00:47:19,280
with the budget and prior year.

501
00:47:20,100 --> 00:47:24,580
expenditures of $3.1 billion, the first nine months of the year, are below the budget of

502
00:47:24,580 --> 00:47:31,460
$4.1 billion, due primarily to the courney pines and orphaned colver replacement and

503
00:47:31,460 --> 00:47:35,140
the still-will road-repeating each of which are just getting started.

504
00:47:36,760 --> 00:47:41,540
Expenses compared to the prior year, up $800,000, due to the execution of several projects,

505
00:47:41,840 --> 00:47:47,220
including whisky preventative maintenance, southern New Hainabra County preventative

506
00:47:47,220 --> 00:47:52,020
maintenance, eight-worn grants for the maintenance, and a battle-part-ditch upgrade.

507
00:47:55,150 --> 00:47:58,850
This slide relates to the debt service fund, revenue for this fund is primarily

508
00:47:58,850 --> 00:48:03,150
comprised of property taxes, sales taxes, and transfers in from the general fund.

509
00:48:04,050 --> 00:48:07,970
Revenue is in line with expectations, and general fund transfers will even out the revenue

510
00:48:07,970 --> 00:48:13,090
with expenditures by year-end, expenditures in this fund are made according to the repayment

511
00:48:13,090 --> 00:48:17,110
schedules of underlying debt, everything, and this fund is tracking a line with expectations.

512
00:48:17,830 --> 00:48:20,790
Thank you and that prepares that concludes my comments.

513
00:48:22,050 --> 00:48:22,510
Thank you, Eric.

514
00:48:23,030 --> 00:48:26,010
Again, you and staff are doing such a great job on this budget.

515
00:48:26,570 --> 00:48:30,770
There's been a couple of months now, and we've got a great presentation from you.

516
00:48:30,930 --> 00:48:33,230
Are there any questions or comments on Commissioner's apple?

517
00:48:34,210 --> 00:48:34,670
Thank you, Matt.

518
00:48:35,670 --> 00:48:36,770
Complete run-down, everything.

519
00:48:37,550 --> 00:48:39,050
A couple of follow-up questions.

520
00:48:40,170 --> 00:48:47,010
First, you mentioned there was a single entity in New Handover County that was responsible for the

521
00:48:47,010 --> 00:48:51,070
majority of the refunds that happened with our sales tax.

522
00:48:51,650 --> 00:48:53,470
But what entity is that?

523
00:48:53,590 --> 00:48:54,490
No, Vaughan Health.

524
00:48:55,390 --> 00:48:55,790
I see.

525
00:48:56,190 --> 00:48:58,250
And why would they have a three-year look back?

526
00:49:00,000 --> 00:49:01,080
I don't know the reason for that.

527
00:49:01,160 --> 00:49:05,460
And again, you're allowed to get back three years, and I would just must have taken several

528
00:49:05,460 --> 00:49:09,680
years to get all their documentation together to follow the refund request.

529
00:49:10,240 --> 00:49:10,500
I see.

530
00:49:10,640 --> 00:49:15,720
But with that, it's now caught them up completely, so we will not see that kind of hit in the

531
00:49:15,720 --> 00:49:16,060
future.

532
00:49:16,380 --> 00:49:16,560
Correct.

533
00:49:16,560 --> 00:49:23,960
back here. Also, I noted there, we had a $200,000, I think revenue source from Hurricane

534
00:49:25,200 --> 00:49:30,120
Haleen, Hurricane Haleen, of course, happened in the western part of the state. How is it

535
00:49:30,120 --> 00:49:35,960
that we're receiving money for that? I should have explained that, yes or so. We assisted

536
00:49:36,460 --> 00:49:41,900
Bunkham County. We spent staff out for both, fire rescue as well as other county staff that

537
00:49:41,900 --> 00:49:46,180
were there for the better part of a month. So we heard that expense up front and then we

538
00:49:46,180 --> 00:49:51,900
get our documentation together to submit to FEMA and state resources and then we get reimbursed

539
00:49:51,900 --> 00:49:55,980
for this cost after the fact that it takes them while to get all that through the process.

540
00:49:56,540 --> 00:49:59,240
There are how many people did we send out there to Bunkham County?

541
00:49:59,740 --> 00:50:00,720
I don't know the answer to that.

542
00:50:00,920 --> 00:50:07,160
I mean, commissioners, I don't remember the number, but at any point in time we had approximately

543
00:50:07,160 --> 00:50:13,560
5% of the workforce on the ground throughout Western North Carolina, but that's inclusive of

544
00:50:13,560 --> 00:50:18,620
fire service, law enforcement, and general fund operations.

545
00:50:19,540 --> 00:50:22,660
So at any given time, there were 5% of the workforce on the ground.

546
00:50:22,940 --> 00:50:27,220
Primarily in support of Monkeham, but we were in many counties in the West.

547
00:50:27,600 --> 00:50:29,960
5% of our workforce, yes, sir.

548
00:50:30,680 --> 00:50:33,000
That's a wonderful and incredible response.

549
00:50:34,020 --> 00:50:34,900
Thank you.

550
00:50:35,220 --> 00:50:35,820
That's all we had.

551
00:50:36,200 --> 00:50:36,700
I'm sorry.

552
00:50:37,780 --> 00:50:38,280
I'm sorry.

553
00:50:38,280 --> 00:50:39,740
I think it was just I was trying to get that.

554
00:50:39,920 --> 00:50:42,820
Commissioner, is there any further comments or questions for Eric?

555
00:50:42,820 --> 00:50:47,340
We are having a public hearing and as some of you have signed up, so we'll be with you in just a second.

556
00:50:47,540 --> 00:50:48,560
Any more questions or comments?

557
00:50:48,760 --> 00:50:50,320
No, thanks for that overview, Eric.

558
00:50:50,800 --> 00:50:51,180
Thank you.

559
00:50:52,060 --> 00:50:52,500
All right.

560
00:50:54,360 --> 00:50:56,680
So we will move into our public comment.

561
00:50:57,080 --> 00:50:58,920
We have nine people signed up.

562
00:50:59,060 --> 00:51:01,300
This is the public comment regarding the budget.

563
00:51:08,220 --> 00:51:13,780
Madam Chair, I think that there is perhaps a slight presentation that staff needs to make

564
00:51:13,780 --> 00:51:17,000
prior to opening the public hearing or if I got that out of order.

565
00:51:17,040 --> 00:51:17,620
Is that it?

566
00:51:17,620 --> 00:51:22,480
So, that was Eric presentation on the current year.

567
00:51:22,560 --> 00:51:26,400
You do have in your books for the next item,

568
00:51:26,540 --> 00:51:30,060
the public hearing on the recommended FY27 budget.

569
00:51:30,480 --> 00:51:35,580
For fear of having been redundant unnecessarily,

570
00:51:36,020 --> 00:51:38,560
because I would argue this is the most public

571
00:51:38,560 --> 00:51:40,900
and transparent budget.

572
00:51:41,360 --> 00:51:43,940
The county's been a part to, as staff,

573
00:51:44,140 --> 00:51:46,320
we're probably better equipped to answer questions.

574
00:51:46,320 --> 00:51:52,820
you may have before the public hearing is open, but the punch line is, the tax rate we have

575
00:51:52,820 --> 00:52:00,480
proposed remains the same at 30.6%, and I think you continue to make first among equals

576
00:52:00,480 --> 00:52:08,980
public education. Beyond your action earlier on the bond question, there is more than 111 million

577
00:52:08,980 --> 00:52:15,260
dollars in this recommended budget dedicated to the public school system, current expense, capital

578
00:52:16,020 --> 00:52:16,820
pre-K.

579
00:52:17,600 --> 00:52:21,320
And so Madam Chair, if there are any questions about it, I'd like to ask 27 recommended

580
00:52:21,320 --> 00:52:21,620
budget.

581
00:52:21,820 --> 00:52:22,400
We can answer those.

582
00:52:22,700 --> 00:52:24,140
Thank you for clarifying that.

583
00:52:24,160 --> 00:52:25,660
Unless there's any more questions, commissioners.

584
00:52:25,760 --> 00:52:27,040
I think we can hear from the public.

585
00:52:27,220 --> 00:52:28,680
And then we can close our public hearing.

586
00:52:28,860 --> 00:52:30,040
And then maybe have some discussion.

587
00:52:31,080 --> 00:52:32,260
Thank you, Madam Chair.

588
00:52:32,440 --> 00:52:35,000
Chris, I just want to elaborate a little bit on the school funding.

589
00:52:35,000 --> 00:52:42,320
That $111 million does not include the money that we put in for the SROs, is that correct?

590
00:52:42,420 --> 00:52:43,200
Correct, no, sir.

591
00:52:43,340 --> 00:52:50,880
It does not include SRO, school-based mental health, therapist, a range of other direct support,

592
00:52:51,180 --> 00:52:59,960
school nurses, that that number begins to push toward $104,000,000,000,000 in direct support.

593
00:52:59,960 --> 00:53:07,560
but this 111 is dedicated to the K-12 system that is a transfer from New Hanover County

594
00:53:08,120 --> 00:53:10,400
to the New Hanover County Public Schools system.

595
00:53:10,940 --> 00:53:14,900
I think the number is 141 million but who's counting?

596
00:53:15,460 --> 00:53:21,060
I just wanted to make sure the public understood about the really strong support from this

597
00:53:21,060 --> 00:53:24,480
entire commission and our staff for the Public Schools system.

598
00:53:24,560 --> 00:53:26,200
I want to make sure that was all accounted for.

599
00:53:26,200 --> 00:53:32,700
Yes, sir, when you include capital pre-K, plus the current expense, the amount of increase

600
00:53:32,700 --> 00:53:37,120
for K-12, and our recommended budget is only what are 4%.

601
00:53:38,080 --> 00:53:39,800
So, thank you for pointing that out.

602
00:53:39,980 --> 00:53:40,140
I'm sorry.

603
00:53:40,500 --> 00:53:41,520
That's a good point.

604
00:53:41,920 --> 00:53:47,260
So, we are looking at everything cumulative, 140, yes, ma'am, 140.

605
00:53:47,280 --> 00:53:51,780
That's a good point, because we often don't do that, and we need the folks need to know

606
00:53:51,780 --> 00:53:54,700
that's 140 million dollars, too, towards a number of county schools.

607
00:53:54,700 --> 00:54:09,700
Also, just to add that believe that we have met the school board at their ask to us this year and again, thank you all for being here and for your hard work on putting a budget together collaboratively and we are trying to do the same thing in collaboration with you.

608
00:54:11,680 --> 00:54:19,120
I'll just also mention Madam Chair before we open the public hearing that we have had continuing negotiations in dialogue.

609
00:54:19,120 --> 00:54:21,900
I know that there are some individuals that are here to speak.

610
00:54:22,240 --> 00:54:26,940
I believe that it is likely the will of this board that in addition to the staff recommended

611
00:54:26,940 --> 00:54:33,760
budget that you have previously seen, we are going to contemplate additional dollars being

612
00:54:33,760 --> 00:54:37,420
allocated to the Community Justice Center, the Arts Council of New Handover County,

613
00:54:37,660 --> 00:54:42,920
Failium Hall, Legal Aid, Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity, Alliance for Cape Your Trees,

614
00:54:43,160 --> 00:54:46,040
the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra and the Cameron Art Museum.

615
00:54:46,040 --> 00:54:57,620
I know that some of you are here to speak to those matters, and I'm glad to hear from you, I know we all are, but I want you to know that we've been talking about you all weekend, and I think that you're going to end up in the budget, whenever it's all set and done.

616
00:54:59,990 --> 00:55:02,370
Any more comments before the public hearing?

617
00:55:04,570 --> 00:55:05,490
We're going to talk about that.

618
00:55:06,130 --> 00:55:06,470
Yes.

619
00:55:06,470 --> 00:55:08,250
We will have some discussion after public hearing.

620
00:55:17,190 --> 00:55:17,590
All right.

621
00:55:17,590 --> 00:55:22,450
budget and appropriations for economic development that are part of the budget. The purpose

622
00:55:22,450 --> 00:55:26,610
of the hearing is to receive public comment on those matters and I will make a motion

623
00:55:26,610 --> 00:55:28,350
to open this public hearing.

624
00:55:29,550 --> 00:55:30,210
All in favor?

625
00:55:30,270 --> 00:55:30,790
All in.

626
00:55:31,130 --> 00:55:32,490
And we have a list, folks.

627
00:55:32,610 --> 00:55:38,110
And you'll have three minutes, each, and Dr. Barnes, you're first on the list.

628
00:55:46,290 --> 00:55:48,170
Before you think we're overstatth, this is like a...

629
00:55:48,170 --> 00:55:48,830
And team.

630
00:55:49,030 --> 00:55:49,650
I brought everybody.

631
00:55:52,270 --> 00:55:52,510
All right.

632
00:55:52,510 --> 00:55:56,810
So we are pleased to present the new Hanover County School's fiscal year 2627 budget.

633
00:55:57,370 --> 00:56:01,790
This document represents a shared commitment to providing every student with a high quality

634
00:56:01,790 --> 00:56:06,150
education, while also showing responsible stewardship of public resources.

635
00:56:07,110 --> 00:56:11,670
At the core, this budget is about a reflection of the community's values and priorities.

636
00:56:12,390 --> 00:56:17,650
Each dollar is strategically aligned to strengthen instructional programming while fostering

637
00:56:17,650 --> 00:56:20,650
safe environments where students are supported and challenged.

638
00:56:22,670 --> 00:56:25,850
Districts across the state are requesting

639
00:56:25,850 --> 00:56:31,530
increasing their local investments of 10, 20, 30 million dollars. They're experiencing

640
00:56:31,530 --> 00:56:37,150
the same decreases in enrollment and funding that we met two years ago. Together we made

641
00:56:37,150 --> 00:56:42,130
hard decisions a couple of years ago to get us to the place where we're balanced and we're stable.

642
00:56:43,230 --> 00:56:48,230
We are always going to have unmet needs of course we are, but I want to make it clear that

643
00:56:48,230 --> 00:56:50,830
that is not due to the support of the commissioners.

644
00:56:53,210 --> 00:56:58,870
Last year, we lost over $2 million in state funding to supplement our local supplements.

645
00:57:00,090 --> 00:57:05,470
One district's similar in size to us has had to pass that reduction onto their employees.

646
00:57:07,330 --> 00:57:12,150
Some districts are going to struggle to balance the 8% proposed salary increase for teachers.

647
00:57:12,730 --> 00:57:21,710
I want to make it clear without the consistent support of this body working collaboratively with our board and our staff that could easily have been us.

648
00:57:23,010 --> 00:57:29,530
We aren't facing that because we've been working together to meet the needs of middle in the middle and communicate needs transparently.

649
00:57:30,230 --> 00:57:32,430
School problems need community solutions.

650
00:57:34,210 --> 00:57:39,410
Thank you for making sure that our resources, time and energy is spent building bridges and not barricades.

651
00:57:39,410 --> 00:57:44,790
You didn't just meet our budget asked, you exceeded it, and I want to make that clear as well.

652
00:57:45,370 --> 00:57:51,510
And together, as we work together, we're going to continue to build a system that supports every student, every day.

653
00:57:51,670 --> 00:57:52,210
Anything on this?

654
00:57:53,710 --> 00:57:54,230
All right.

655
00:57:54,670 --> 00:57:55,110
Thank you.

656
00:57:55,710 --> 00:57:56,430
Thank you.

657
00:57:56,730 --> 00:57:58,190
Dr. Barnes, and I just got one comment.

658
00:57:58,270 --> 00:57:59,730
Y'all look great standing up there together.

659
00:57:59,890 --> 00:58:01,830
I like, from our view that way.

660
00:58:02,070 --> 00:58:03,010
You look great, son.

661
00:58:03,190 --> 00:58:03,910
Appreciate y'all.

662
00:58:04,310 --> 00:58:05,290
Thank you for what you did.

663
00:58:09,770 --> 00:58:10,730
It was a bellish effort.

664
00:58:19,030 --> 00:58:20,770
Good morning, commissioners.

665
00:58:21,390 --> 00:58:25,250
My name is Isabelle Shepherd, and I'm the executive director of the Alliance for Cape

666
00:58:25,250 --> 00:58:25,950
Peer trees.

667
00:58:26,290 --> 00:58:30,850
I'm here today to thank New Handover County for considering an investment in the Alliance

668
00:58:30,850 --> 00:58:32,170
in this year's budget.

669
00:58:32,810 --> 00:58:38,110
At its core, this is an investment in public infrastructure, community health, and quality

670
00:58:38,110 --> 00:58:38,790
of life.

671
00:58:40,070 --> 00:58:44,990
Because trees are not simply aesthetic amenities, they're working infrastructure.

672
00:58:44,990 --> 00:58:48,270
They reduced flooding and stormwater runoff.

673
00:58:48,570 --> 00:58:51,210
They cool neighborhoods during dangerous summer heat.

674
00:58:51,490 --> 00:58:55,610
They improve air quality, lower energy costs, improved property values,

675
00:58:55,850 --> 00:58:59,070
and strengthened resilience during hurricanes and severe storms.

676
00:59:00,170 --> 00:59:02,430
And we know this work is urgently needed.

677
00:59:02,870 --> 00:59:07,410
New Hennever County's recent TREA canopy assessment found that the unincorporated county

678
00:59:07,410 --> 00:59:13,550
lost more than 3,000 acres of TREA canopy between 2014 and 2022

679
00:59:13,550 --> 00:59:17,630
driven largely by development, storms, infrastructure,

680
00:59:18,530 --> 00:59:20,210
expansion, and private tree removal.

681
00:59:21,210 --> 00:59:24,110
The alliance exists to help meet that challenge.

682
00:59:24,710 --> 00:59:28,030
This past planting season alone, we distributed more

683
00:59:28,030 --> 00:59:32,530
than 2,500 native trees in Newhand over County

684
00:59:32,530 --> 00:59:37,410
and planted about 300 along city streets in parks

685
00:59:37,410 --> 00:59:39,090
and on school grounds.

686
00:59:40,610 --> 00:59:46,250
We expect to surpass those numbers this coming planting season through several large-scale

687
00:59:46,250 --> 00:59:50,370
community planting and distribution events already in development.

688
00:59:52,430 --> 00:59:56,990
But that's what makes the Alliance especially effective in our ability to multiply the impact

689
00:59:56,990 --> 00:59:58,970
of every dollar invested in us.

690
01:00:00,110 --> 01:00:12,610
We leverage grant funding, private philanthropy, corporate sponsorships, and hundreds of volunteer hours to expand the reach of our work far beyond what our operating budget alone would otherwise allow.

691
01:00:13,270 --> 01:00:26,150
Through partnerships with municipalities, schools, neighborhood groups and businesses, we are able to stretch resources, mobilize volunteers, and respond quickly to community needs and ways that governments often cannot do alone.

692
01:00:26,150 --> 01:00:31,370
And importantly, public investment comes with accountability and transparency.

693
01:00:32,310 --> 01:00:37,710
We track where our trees are planted, monitor their care and survival, report measurable

694
01:00:37,710 --> 01:00:42,850
outcomes, and maintain strong partnerships with local governments and community stakeholders,

695
01:00:43,510 --> 01:00:45,210
like New Handover County Schools.

696
01:00:46,450 --> 01:00:52,130
This is a collaborative model that allows the county to invest in canopy growth and environmental

697
01:00:52,130 --> 01:00:55,930
resilience while maximizing return on investment for taxpayers.

698
01:00:57,190 --> 01:01:02,270
This funding would help ensure that new Hanover County residents, particularly those in

699
01:01:02,270 --> 01:01:07,710
low canopy areas, can experience the environmental, economic, and health benefits of

700
01:01:07,710 --> 01:01:09,170
a thriving urban forest.

701
01:01:10,750 --> 01:01:16,770
And, as new Hanover County continues to grow, we would also love to see continued exploration

702
01:01:16,770 --> 01:01:23,050
of additional urban forestry capacity in the future, including the possibility of a county

703
01:01:23,050 --> 01:01:29,210
arborist dedicated to reviewing development plans and supporting long-term canopy preservation

704
01:01:29,210 --> 01:01:36,650
strategies. We believe that nonprofit partnership and public sector expertise can go hand-in-hand

705
01:01:36,650 --> 01:01:42,650
to help guide smart growth while preserving the natural character that makes this community so special.

706
01:01:42,650 --> 01:01:44,270
Thank you so much for your time.

707
01:01:44,670 --> 01:01:45,650
Thank you.

708
01:01:46,310 --> 01:01:46,810
Lynn A.

709
01:01:47,270 --> 01:01:47,670
Budski.

710
01:01:52,590 --> 01:01:53,810
Good morning, commissioners.

711
01:01:53,970 --> 01:01:54,990
My name is Lynn A. Budski.

712
01:01:55,090 --> 01:01:57,730
I'm the director of Education and Entrepreneurship at

713
01:01:57,730 --> 01:01:58,390
Thalian Hall.

714
01:01:58,730 --> 01:01:59,990
I have our board members.

715
01:02:00,210 --> 01:02:04,690
Thank you for your time and thank you for considering

716
01:02:04,690 --> 01:02:09,070
Thalian Hall and your budget for over 160 years.

717
01:02:09,310 --> 01:02:11,870
Thalian Hall has been the cultural heartbeat of new

718
01:02:11,870 --> 01:02:15,730
Hanover County and our transformation project isn't just

719
01:02:15,730 --> 01:02:17,630
about updating a historic building,

720
01:02:18,130 --> 01:02:20,210
it's about unlocking what this building

721
01:02:20,210 --> 01:02:22,850
can do for our community's economic future.

722
01:02:23,510 --> 01:02:25,330
This transformation makes possible

723
01:02:25,330 --> 01:02:28,030
the Institute of Education and Entrepreneurship.

724
01:02:28,450 --> 01:02:31,030
This is a first of its kind initiative for Thaley and Hall

725
01:02:31,030 --> 01:02:33,830
that bridges the gap between creative passion

726
01:02:33,830 --> 01:02:36,110
and sustainable economic opportunity.

727
01:02:36,950 --> 01:02:40,130
The IEE, the Institute, is built on six pillars,

728
01:02:40,450 --> 01:02:43,290
so I'm gonna go through them as quickly as I can, it's a lot.

729
01:02:43,290 --> 01:02:45,770
So, the first is the Education Center.

730
01:02:45,890 --> 01:02:49,290
This is the home for all our initiatives serving K through 12

731
01:02:49,290 --> 01:02:50,910
entire education students.

732
01:02:51,430 --> 01:02:54,150
This includes our beloved Pied Piper Theater program,

733
01:02:54,210 --> 01:02:56,690
which has been running for over 75 years,

734
01:02:57,050 --> 01:03:00,690
and last January served over 7,500 first and second graders.

735
01:03:01,610 --> 01:03:04,150
The Pied Piper Institute is a pilot program

736
01:03:04,150 --> 01:03:08,770
that is coming this October, which will provide CEU accreditation

737
01:03:08,770 --> 01:03:10,830
to educators in New Hanover County.

738
01:03:10,830 --> 01:03:28,070
We will also have a part of this pillar use camps focused on theatrical technique and building a career as an artist and an artist residency and program outreach program that provides workshops, master classes, and lectures given by artists and residents to community groups that can most benefit.

739
01:03:28,070 --> 01:03:45,510
The second pillar is our Burk Holder Institute for Emerging Stage Technicians, which creates a direct workforce pipeline through internships and apprenticeships for ages 17 and up and trains the next generation of technical professionals for careers and entertainment which is a billion dollar national industry.

740
01:03:45,510 --> 01:03:55,990
Our entrepreneurial programs is our third pillar and not provide structure, mentorship, and business training for creative entrepreneurs, which keeps talent from leaving our county.

741
01:03:56,550 --> 01:04:08,990
Our fourth is the Creative Studio Lab, which offers affordable rehearsal and production space, which keeps creative dollars circulating locally and supporting the growing film, music and theater industries in our region.

742
01:04:08,990 --> 01:04:14,990
Our fifth pillar is our Archives and Library, which has a daily tour program, driving heritage tourism,

743
01:04:15,630 --> 01:04:20,490
which preserves history that makes Wilmington a destination for tourism.

744
01:04:21,210 --> 01:04:28,930
And finally, our sixth pillar is one that we're still working on, but that will deliver complimentary arts programming to residents,

745
01:04:29,510 --> 01:04:35,310
struggling with mental health and housing and security, which will reduce the long-term burden on public services.

746
01:04:35,310 --> 01:04:45,750
So, all of this is within this Institute of Education and Entrepreneurship and it's an investment in workforce development, tourism, entrepreneurship and community health.

747
01:04:46,110 --> 01:04:49,430
So, thank you for standing with us and supporting us in our community.

748
01:04:50,290 --> 01:04:50,530
Thank you.

749
01:04:51,190 --> 01:04:51,850
Thank you.

750
01:04:52,470 --> 01:04:53,310
Natalie English.

751
01:04:59,390 --> 01:05:03,510
Good morning, Chair Peers, Vice Chair Scalice and Commissioners,

752
01:05:03,630 --> 01:05:05,730
Rev. Mark Walker and Zappel.

753
01:05:06,210 --> 01:05:10,250
I'm Natalie English, President and CEO of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce,

754
01:05:10,430 --> 01:05:12,430
and also a New Handover County residence.

755
01:05:13,190 --> 01:05:16,470
And I would like to thank the county for your continued partnership

756
01:05:16,470 --> 01:05:20,950
with the Chamber of Small Business, Retention and Expansion Program in New Handover County.

757
01:05:21,250 --> 01:05:25,630
We all know that small businesses are the foundation of our local economy.

758
01:05:26,030 --> 01:05:28,670
They create jobs, strength and commercial corridors,

759
01:05:28,670 --> 01:05:34,130
invests back into our community and help shape the character of Southeast and North Carolina.

760
01:05:34,770 --> 01:05:39,610
At the same time, many business owners are navigating significant challenges, rising

761
01:05:39,610 --> 01:05:46,430
operating costs, workforce shortages, permitting and infrastructure concerns, supply chain pressures

762
01:05:46,430 --> 01:05:50,670
and increased competition as our region continues to grow.

763
01:05:51,130 --> 01:05:56,650
Your investment allows the chamber to continue the relationship-based economic development work

764
01:05:56,650 --> 01:06:02,630
that often happens quietly behind the scenes, but has a real impact on local employers

765
01:06:02,630 --> 01:06:08,150
and our broader economy. Through this program, the Chamber conducts more than 100

766
01:06:08,150 --> 01:06:12,910
business retention and expansion visits every year with companies across New Canada

767
01:06:12,910 --> 01:06:18,530
or County. These conversations help us identify early challenges, connect businesses,

768
01:06:18,890 --> 01:06:23,650
with resources and partners like Kate Fair Community College, the Small Business and Technology

769
01:06:23,650 --> 01:06:30,530
development center, EDP and C, workforce development partners and organizations, and other companies

770
01:06:30,530 --> 01:06:33,830
that can support them and help them create jobs locally.

771
01:06:34,590 --> 01:06:39,950
Since the launch of the program, the initiative has supported 70 business expansion or

772
01:06:39,950 --> 01:06:47,350
relocation projects, helped facilitate more than 585 projected increased jobs and assisted

773
01:06:47,350 --> 01:06:52,150
in nearly $57 million in capital investment throughout our community.

774
01:06:52,150 --> 01:06:57,550
In addition to that traditional BRE work we like to call at this partnership also supports

775
01:06:57,550 --> 01:07:02,230
entrepreneurship and innovation through programs such as 1 million cups Wilmington,

776
01:07:02,570 --> 01:07:07,690
the Small Business Coalition, Venture South Wilmington, and the Chamber Export Partnership.

777
01:07:08,390 --> 01:07:13,670
We appreciate your recognition that supporting small businesses is not only smart economic

778
01:07:13,670 --> 01:07:20,130
development policy, it's community development policy. Strong local businesses contribute to a

779
01:07:20,130 --> 01:07:23,350
Stronger, more resilient New Hanover County for everyone.

780
01:07:24,030 --> 01:07:28,350
Thank you again for your continued partnership and commitment to the long-term success of

781
01:07:28,350 --> 01:07:29,450
our Small Business Community.

782
01:07:32,100 --> 01:07:32,820
Round of Bellamy?

783
01:07:40,460 --> 01:07:41,400
Good morning, Chairwoman.

784
01:07:41,760 --> 01:07:43,980
Peers, Commissioners, and County staff.

785
01:07:44,560 --> 01:07:49,080
For the record, I am Ron Debellamy, CEO of the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover

786
01:07:49,080 --> 01:07:49,600
County.

787
01:07:50,000 --> 01:07:56,480
The county's designated arts agency since 2013 and one of the region's most effective economic

788
01:07:56,480 --> 01:07:57,580
development partners.

789
01:07:57,580 --> 01:08:05,300
We support and strengthen a nonprofit art sector with an annual economic impact of $75 million.

790
01:08:06,180 --> 01:08:13,480
That ecosystem supports the equivalent of 1,258 full-time jobs and generates millions in local

791
01:08:13,480 --> 01:08:16,660
state and federal tax revenue every year.

792
01:08:17,320 --> 01:08:21,580
That's not to mention the four-profit sector, which we also support through initiatives like

793
01:08:24,260 --> 01:08:26,620
The arts are not a luxury sector.

794
01:08:26,820 --> 01:08:31,800
We are a workforce sector, a tourism sector, a small business sector,

795
01:08:32,220 --> 01:08:35,620
and a quality of life sector that directly influences talent

796
01:08:35,620 --> 01:08:38,600
recruitment, entrepreneurship, downtown vitality,

797
01:08:39,680 --> 01:08:40,840
and community identity.

798
01:08:42,460 --> 01:08:45,720
One of three attendees that performances and arts events

799
01:08:45,720 --> 01:08:48,040
in New Year of Accounting comes from outside the county.

800
01:08:48,040 --> 01:08:54,640
These visitors do not simply buy tickets, they stay in hotels, they die in restaurants, shop

801
01:08:54,640 --> 01:08:59,440
in local businesses, pay for parking, and contribute to our hospitality economy.

802
01:09:00,060 --> 01:09:04,880
By the way, one of the national partners on the study that I'm citing is the National

803
01:09:04,880 --> 01:09:06,220
Association of Counties.

804
01:09:07,080 --> 01:09:11,020
The Arts Council serves as the connective tissue for this entire ecosystem.

805
01:09:11,800 --> 01:09:17,100
We provide grants technical assistance, advocacy, marketing support, fiscal sponsorship,

806
01:09:17,100 --> 01:09:21,140
public art coordination, cultural planning, leadership, and

807
01:09:21,140 --> 01:09:25,580
sector-wide collaboration. Our work has become a statewide and

808
01:09:25,580 --> 01:09:29,460
regional model. In fact, the Arts Council is serving as the

809
01:09:29,460 --> 01:09:32,960
prototype for the greater Charleston Arts and Culture Alliance.

810
01:09:33,480 --> 01:09:37,380
As leaders in South Carolina look to replicate the collaborative

811
01:09:37,380 --> 01:09:40,720
infrastructure we've built here in Newhandover County.

812
01:09:42,340 --> 01:09:46,940
And I'll tell you, it just gets better. We're proud to be the

813
01:09:46,940 --> 01:09:52,160
First, organization granted intermediary status by the new head of a community endowment,

814
01:09:52,300 --> 01:09:55,180
a recognition of our credibility, and accountability.

815
01:09:56,220 --> 01:10:00,000
At the same time, we're facing a significant challenge, because the new head of

816
01:10:00,000 --> 01:10:06,120
account is population is officially tipped, 250,000, and because we're classified as a tier-3

817
01:10:06,120 --> 01:10:12,740
county based on relative wealth, we will lose approximately $74,000 in recurring state funding.

818
01:10:12,740 --> 01:10:15,860
And that I really is not lost on me.

819
01:10:15,940 --> 01:10:17,400
I'm past chair of Arts, North Carolina,

820
01:10:17,760 --> 01:10:19,720
and pushed through some of these changes

821
01:10:19,720 --> 01:10:21,740
that we're not going to be able to benefit from.

822
01:10:23,460 --> 01:10:26,140
I would close by saying economic development

823
01:10:26,140 --> 01:10:27,960
is not only about industrial recruitment

824
01:10:28,300 --> 01:10:29,900
and commercial expansion,

825
01:10:30,480 --> 01:10:32,440
it's also about investing in the arts.

826
01:10:32,600 --> 01:10:34,020
Thank you very much for your time.

827
01:10:34,500 --> 01:10:36,000
Thank you very much.

828
01:10:36,000 --> 01:10:36,600
Thank you very much.

829
01:10:36,620 --> 01:10:37,160
Can I bear?

830
01:10:46,470 --> 01:10:47,690
Low and thank you.

831
01:10:48,010 --> 01:10:49,510
I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you.

832
01:10:49,510 --> 01:10:55,750
I appreciate all the work you're doing, and just as I've said every single time I've gotten up here to speak with you,

833
01:10:55,770 --> 01:11:01,150
I am very grateful for all you do for our schools above and beyond what the state requires.

834
01:11:01,710 --> 01:11:07,130
My name's Tim Merrick and while I am on the Board of Education, I'm not here speaking for the Board of Education,

835
01:11:07,230 --> 01:11:10,770
but as a concerned citizen, as a candidate for the state legislature.

836
01:11:12,290 --> 01:11:20,130
So, while I'm grateful for you meeting our schools requests, especially after last year,

837
01:11:20,370 --> 01:11:25,570
cutting funding to so many important positions, it does occur to be a must-been election season.

838
01:11:26,010 --> 01:11:28,950
And for that, I am grateful and for all you're doing, I'm grateful.

839
01:11:31,070 --> 01:11:33,030
I'm concerned about how we're doing it.

840
01:11:33,390 --> 01:11:38,510
I'm concerned about the way that we're robbing a piggy bank or we're borrowing from Dad,

841
01:11:38,510 --> 01:11:42,350
but maybe what we need to do is go out and do a slightly larger paper route.

842
01:11:43,790 --> 01:11:47,090
We can't afford the financial cliff that's going to happen.

843
01:11:47,650 --> 01:11:53,070
If we refuse to understand the increased costs that happen every single year,

844
01:11:53,230 --> 01:11:57,630
we need a cost of living increase in the way that we collect our revenue.

845
01:11:59,630 --> 01:12:02,970
I also want to talk about our affordable housing.

846
01:12:02,970 --> 01:12:09,990
You know, it was cut, when last year when you defunded our workforce housing commission,

847
01:12:11,070 --> 01:12:14,470
we lost a lot of opportunity to create housing.

848
01:12:14,730 --> 01:12:20,810
And as you know, one half of the workforce of this county cannot afford to live in this

849
01:12:20,810 --> 01:12:21,230
county.

850
01:12:21,950 --> 01:12:27,050
And so even while you defunded the workforce housing commission, I could have appreciated

851
01:12:27,050 --> 01:12:28,430
if you'd kept the committee.

852
01:12:29,150 --> 01:12:31,050
Because that committee did research.

853
01:12:31,050 --> 01:12:36,770
that committee is there to help you understand what's going to happen next year and the next year.

854
01:12:36,850 --> 01:12:44,350
Those trends are terribly important. We cannot afford to keep building expensive homes for new

855
01:12:44,350 --> 01:12:50,290
people moving to our area. If we don't allow our workforce to live here, our nurses, our school

856
01:12:50,290 --> 01:12:56,630
teachers, our firefighters, and so many other very important members of our community just need to

857
01:12:56,630 --> 01:13:03,870
to invest in a home, develop generational wealth and I urge you, if not in this budget, then

858
01:13:03,870 --> 01:13:08,430
the next budget please take a look at what we need to do to make our housing affordable.

859
01:13:12,500 --> 01:13:13,100
Finally,

860
01:13:15,490 --> 01:13:21,790
besides, thank you's, it is incumbent on everybody who worked for government.

861
01:13:22,290 --> 01:13:25,550
Everybody who's been elected to remember everyone.

862
01:13:26,070 --> 01:13:32,090
It's not just the folks who may have been in the party who voted for us, it's not just the folks who may be bring us money.

863
01:13:32,750 --> 01:13:35,390
We need to remember the people who don't have a voice.

864
01:13:36,190 --> 01:13:38,050
The people who can't afford to live here.

865
01:13:38,230 --> 01:13:43,510
The people who can't reasonably expect a future.

866
01:13:44,350 --> 01:13:54,890
Your job is to work for everybody to make sure we have a community that we're all proud to live in.

867
01:13:54,890 --> 01:13:57,810
You've done a great job, and thank you for supporting our schools as well.

868
01:13:58,190 --> 01:13:58,950
Thank you, Tim.

869
01:13:59,850 --> 01:14:00,790
Liz Gammlin.

870
01:14:08,150 --> 01:14:08,670
Good morning.

871
01:14:09,170 --> 01:14:16,630
And thank you, Chair, Pierce, Dean Scalese, Commissioner Zappel, Commissioner Walker,

872
01:14:16,850 --> 01:14:18,310
and Commissioner Mivenbark.

873
01:14:18,870 --> 01:14:24,130
I have been with the Symphony for eight years, and the Symphony has been around for

874
01:14:24,130 --> 01:14:25,510
55 years.

875
01:14:26,310 --> 01:14:30,330
When we talk about budget, we're typically talking about roads and infrastructure,

876
01:14:30,330 --> 01:14:39,050
But today I'd like to talk about education in the importance that the Symphony plays in the role of education within New Hanova County.

877
01:14:40,730 --> 01:14:44,870
While our funding we're asking for funding for our fourth of July program,

878
01:14:46,010 --> 01:14:56,150
we are asking you to fund that because we don't want to divert funds that we're putting into education and committing to new programs for our students.

879
01:14:56,970 --> 01:14:59,970
If you don't know, the symphony has just moved.

880
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:09,300
From our small administrative offices of 1400 square feet to a new location on Market Street of 8,000 square feet.

881
01:15:09,920 --> 01:15:13,640
If we divert funding, we won't be able to build our new programs.

882
01:15:14,180 --> 01:15:20,100
We partner with other arts education leaders in New Hanova County, such as theater for all,

883
01:15:20,780 --> 01:15:25,260
the Dream Center for Arts in Education. We partner with the Arts Council.

884
01:15:25,260 --> 01:15:36,800
We're asking you to find us not only for our free forth of July program, but for us to be able to continue to offer services to the students and families of New Hanova County.

885
01:15:37,420 --> 01:15:39,900
We give them free tickets to our symphony.

886
01:15:40,460 --> 01:15:43,260
It should not be a luxury to go to a symphonic concert.

887
01:15:43,700 --> 01:15:48,280
We go into the schools with our symphony and talk about music education.

888
01:15:48,280 --> 01:15:54,680
with our new space, we're looking to program the after school programs and continue to

889
01:15:54,680 --> 01:16:01,100
partner with other students in the schools and with dreams and with other arts organizations.

890
01:16:01,800 --> 01:16:07,760
We hope you consider this, it's a big deal for us where we are so committed to making sure

891
01:16:07,760 --> 01:16:15,240
that every child has, if they want to come to play with us, they can have free tickets, they

892
01:16:15,240 --> 01:16:21,200
And I want to just make sure that we are accessible to all, not just people who can afford it.

893
01:16:21,200 --> 01:16:26,640
And I thank you so much for hearing me and for talking about us over the weekend.

894
01:16:26,820 --> 01:16:33,180
And I thank everyone in this audience who helped support the symphony because I love to support all of you also.

895
01:16:34,080 --> 01:16:34,840
And that's it.

896
01:16:34,940 --> 01:16:35,760
Thank you very much.

897
01:16:45,440 --> 01:16:50,660
I'm sorry, Margie, I'll let you tell me when you get up there.

898
01:16:51,680 --> 01:16:57,700
Thank you, commissioners. It's Margie Gordsman. I'm here on behalf of myself.

899
01:16:57,700 --> 01:17:06,120
I've been listening to the budget and I want to maybe submit a warning about taking pride

900
01:17:06,120 --> 01:17:13,600
in having the lowest tax rate out of 100 counties and we're in the lowest five because

901
01:17:13,600 --> 01:17:17,660
the price is paid regardless if it's with our pennies or not.

902
01:17:18,040 --> 01:17:25,480
My son is graduating from Hoggard this year and he spoke to me this week about something that

903
01:17:25,480 --> 01:17:35,980
to start me every month in the school cafeteria. He has watched fellow students assault each

904
01:17:35,980 --> 01:17:44,100
other every month for the last two years that he's been in the school district. And I said

905
01:17:44,100 --> 01:17:48,020
well where were the adults? He says there's never an adult in the lunchrooms.

906
01:17:50,130 --> 01:17:50,730
We lost

907
01:17:50,730 --> 01:17:53,930
how many staff members over the last four years.

908
01:17:56,440 --> 01:17:58,380
And this is not just, you know, commission level,

909
01:17:58,440 --> 01:18:00,660
this is state level, this is federal level.

910
01:18:01,200 --> 01:18:05,220
When we don't fund our communities,

911
01:18:06,220 --> 01:18:08,200
our children are the ones that pay.

912
01:18:08,460 --> 01:18:10,160
I didn't have to grow up in a high school

913
01:18:10,160 --> 01:18:12,780
where I watched assaults happen in front of me.

914
01:18:12,980 --> 01:18:14,420
It was incredibly disright.

915
01:18:14,660 --> 01:18:17,760
He said, mom, I'm lucky that I'm white,

916
01:18:18,380 --> 01:18:19,320
and I'm with the band.

917
01:18:19,480 --> 01:18:20,540
I have somewhere to go.

918
01:18:20,540 --> 01:18:27,460
But it was incredibly disregulating to see and witness this violence in front of me at every month

919
01:18:27,460 --> 01:18:30,260
So I just wanted to remind you guys

920
01:18:31,280 --> 01:18:37,580
You're still paying the cost. I would prefer the parents pay it and not the children. Thank you so much

921
01:18:38,700 --> 01:18:39,820
Thank you

922
01:18:39,820 --> 01:18:43,320
Okay, so that's everyone who signed up for public hearing and I will

923
01:18:43,320 --> 01:18:45,220
Make a

924
01:18:45,220 --> 01:18:47,160
Motion to close the public hearing

925
01:18:47,160 --> 01:18:48,820
Second all in favor

926
01:18:50,640 --> 01:18:55,260
And we'd like to have some discussion here before we move on to the nation.

927
01:18:58,080 --> 01:19:04,600
I think that Madam Chair, we've done a pretty darn good job of being transparent over

928
01:19:04,600 --> 01:19:05,580
the last several months.

929
01:19:05,780 --> 01:19:10,760
The county manager mentioned during these comments before that we've been discussing

930
01:19:10,760 --> 01:19:16,640
this budget over the course of, I guess, since February.

931
01:19:17,600 --> 01:19:29,160
And it is substantially today what it was at that time, although there have been some dialogue that we've had with one another.

932
01:19:29,240 --> 01:19:32,820
We've had to figure out how we're going to pay for this item and pay for that item.

933
01:19:33,360 --> 01:19:44,160
But I think that the budget, as presented by staff, does a very good job of funding core services while maintaining our tax rate at the level that it is now.

934
01:19:44,160 --> 01:19:46,520
That's very important to me.

935
01:19:46,600 --> 01:19:48,700
I think it's very important to any number of our citizens.

936
01:19:49,760 --> 01:19:55,460
They are, as I've mentioned in the prior hearing, getting hit from a lot of different directions by a lot of different entities.

937
01:19:56,420 --> 01:20:00,220
Not just governmental entities, but Duke Energy and the like.

938
01:20:00,720 --> 01:20:08,020
We have the ability with the way that we have structured our budget and the monies that we have saved in our fund balance,

939
01:20:08,160 --> 01:20:10,300
which I'll mention for the benefit of the public.

940
01:20:10,300 --> 01:20:16,840
The state requires that New Handover County maintain eight percent for its fund balance.

941
01:20:17,780 --> 01:20:19,540
We have more than double that.

942
01:20:20,180 --> 01:20:20,980
That's important.

943
01:20:21,940 --> 01:20:23,100
We have saved a lot of money.

944
01:20:23,100 --> 01:20:25,520
We maintain a substantial savings.

945
01:20:25,720 --> 01:20:29,340
We also have a revenue stabilization fund, which we've talked about, and I don't intend

946
01:20:29,340 --> 01:20:34,500
to talk about at length today, but we are in good financial position and it is my hope

947
01:20:34,500 --> 01:20:39,860
and I think the hope of all of us that regardless of what we do with this budget

948
01:20:39,860 --> 01:20:45,780
today that over the next year we're going to see some improvements in the economy. We're going

949
01:20:45,780 --> 01:20:51,160
to see our sales tax rebound. We're going to see a stabilization with our employee benefits,

950
01:20:51,420 --> 01:20:55,980
our health insurance, which is costing a little more than we expected, and it is my sincere

951
01:20:55,980 --> 01:21:01,040
belief that we're going to be able to level out on the way that we're structuring this budget

952
01:21:01,040 --> 01:21:07,900
into the next year. And that's a bit of a hope, it's a bit of a prayer, but I don't think it's

953
01:21:07,900 --> 01:21:12,300
reasonable hope. It's not an unreasonable prayer. It's one that's based on believing in

954
01:21:12,300 --> 01:21:17,200
New Handover County and the growth that we are undergoing right now. We're doing great

955
01:21:17,200 --> 01:21:24,220
as a county. Our economy is continuing to move along and we're going to invest in a variety

956
01:21:24,220 --> 01:21:30,680
of important entities, organizations, and we're going to be able to do all of that without raising

957
01:21:30,680 --> 01:21:37,760
taxes. To me that is a great testament to the will of this board and to the talent of our staff,

958
01:21:38,220 --> 01:21:42,820
And I think that we've got this thing in about as good as a shape as we're going to get it in.

959
01:21:42,960 --> 01:21:45,100
There is no perfect budget, of course not.

960
01:21:46,140 --> 01:21:47,820
But this one is pretty darn good.

961
01:21:48,940 --> 01:21:54,420
And as I mentioned before at the appropriate time, I will make a motion to accept the stats,

962
01:21:54,420 --> 01:21:58,520
recommendation, and add some additional items to it that we've discussed over the weekend.

963
01:21:58,720 --> 01:22:01,420
But for right now, Madam Chair, I feel like we've done a pretty good job.

964
01:22:02,300 --> 01:22:03,160
Commissioner Dappel.

965
01:22:03,160 --> 01:22:10,460
Thank you Madam Chair. I'd like to go back to some of our public comments, especially about the schools.

966
01:22:11,380 --> 01:22:18,280
I have the opportunity and the honor to represent New Handover County and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.

967
01:22:18,500 --> 01:22:26,360
And this past weekend we had a Board of Directors meeting out in Cherokee County, actually Jackson County, far into the state.

968
01:22:26,360 --> 01:22:31,960
At that time, there are about 50 county commissioners who are on the board of directors.

969
01:22:33,060 --> 01:22:38,400
And I've got to say, this is a continuing theme, it's not just this year, the number

970
01:22:38,400 --> 01:22:46,580
of counties that are talking about having to actually close schools that are unable to fund fully

971
01:22:46,580 --> 01:22:52,080
their sheriff's department and are cutting back on their core services in this year's budget.

972
01:22:53,360 --> 01:22:58,840
It's stunning, and I sit and listen and realize that's not the conversation that we're

973
01:22:58,840 --> 01:23:04,920
having here at all, and I have great sympathy for all of those commissioners who are

974
01:23:04,920 --> 01:23:09,420
having to struggle with that, and it's not a few, it's a lot.

975
01:23:10,020 --> 01:23:15,460
In North Carolina, of course, we have 100 counties, at least 85 of those who would be considered

976
01:23:15,460 --> 01:23:19,480
rural, and those are the ones I'm talking about that are struggling.

977
01:23:19,480 --> 01:23:27,340
And it's very disheartening to know that we live in such a prosperous state over all that's

978
01:23:27,340 --> 01:23:30,600
growing and to see these issues happening.

979
01:23:30,760 --> 01:23:37,060
But again, we live in a great place in New Hanover County, and I believe that this budget

980
01:23:37,060 --> 01:23:43,760
that's being proposed here, they're multiple, very positive items that are in there, full

981
01:23:43,760 --> 01:23:49,460
funding of our school system actually a little bit more than what they ask for, they continue

982
01:23:49,460 --> 01:23:56,540
funding of pre-K and investments in our public safety is among those really positive

983
01:23:56,540 --> 01:23:57,320
items.

984
01:23:58,240 --> 01:24:03,800
Additionally, with this revision that we're considering the funding of our Community Justice

985
01:24:03,800 --> 01:24:10,080
Center, which is doing terrific work throughout our community, and our arts council and

986
01:24:10,080 --> 01:24:11,540
other key non-profits.

987
01:24:12,400 --> 01:24:18,340
This budget funds many of these items that our citizens have identified as priorities.

988
01:24:18,340 --> 01:24:27,450
I have had my objections during the debate process over the last few months with this budget.

989
01:24:27,870 --> 01:24:36,710
It's never been about what we're funding because I believe as a commission we are in line with each other as to what we want to have funded,

990
01:24:37,610 --> 01:24:41,590
especially now with the revisions being layered in as well.

991
01:24:42,450 --> 01:24:46,170
My objections have always been about how it is being funded.

992
01:24:46,170 --> 01:24:51,010
And I know that we will be wrestling with the same issue next year.

993
01:24:51,310 --> 01:24:58,990
Commissioner Scalice mentioned what I hope will be a rising tide economically here in New

994
01:24:58,990 --> 01:25:06,730
Hanover County because we have a structural imbalance that we will have to deal with.

995
01:25:07,230 --> 01:25:13,690
Hopefully, brighter economic sales, tax revenues, etc., will lessen that strain.

996
01:25:14,410 --> 01:25:22,230
But knowing that, I will support this budget with the revisions because of the good that

997
01:25:22,230 --> 01:25:23,790
it will bring to our community.

998
01:25:26,620 --> 01:25:29,620
I'll be ready to second that motion once it's made.

999
01:25:30,360 --> 01:25:36,840
We live in a great place and as difficult as this budget season has been, I firmly believe

1000
01:25:36,840 --> 01:25:42,700
that it's going to elevate all of our community with what's in this budget.

1001
01:25:44,510 --> 01:25:45,430
Thank you, Madam Chair.

1002
01:25:47,640 --> 01:25:49,920
questions, wish them all good.

1003
01:25:50,640 --> 01:25:51,640
All right, thank you.

1004
01:25:53,180 --> 01:25:56,500
So I want to start by saying I support everything in this budget.

1005
01:25:56,720 --> 01:26:02,280
The school funding and pre-K restoration I fought pretty hard for, and I'm glad we're all in agreement there.

1006
01:26:02,980 --> 01:26:05,280
For me, this is not about what this budget does.

1007
01:26:05,540 --> 01:26:07,940
It is about how we are paying for it.

1008
01:26:08,220 --> 01:26:12,340
I want to acknowledge County staff, you worked hard within the parameters you were given,

1009
01:26:12,780 --> 01:26:16,420
and your own budget document is honest about the limits of what you were asked to do.

1010
01:26:16,420 --> 01:26:22,020
And for I finish that I just want to, I didn't prepare any big big sign.

1011
01:26:22,380 --> 01:26:26,320
This is a lot of the things our county does that I don't think people really realize what

1012
01:26:26,320 --> 01:26:29,740
we do here and why we enjoy the life that we do here.

1013
01:26:30,380 --> 01:26:35,040
You've got public schools, cater community college, pre-K, public health, social services,

1014
01:26:35,220 --> 01:26:40,400
senior resource center, veteran services, the courts, registered deeds, board of elections,

1015
01:26:40,400 --> 01:27:05,100
Oakie Oakie Oakie Oakie Oakie Settlement Programs to Sheriff's the Jail 911 Animal Shelters Libraries, Parks and Gardens, the Museum, an Arts Council support stormwater management, environmental and landfill, recycling, beach erosion control, inspections, planning, economic development, wave, and error airport authority, and much more. They're all in the sheet.

1016
01:27:05,720 --> 01:27:09,920
This is the second year in a row of the sport is using one-time money to pay for recurring expenses.

1017
01:27:10,840 --> 01:27:14,920
Last year we drew out $8.1 million from our fund balance and that money is gone.

1018
01:27:15,480 --> 01:27:18,060
The bills have come back anyway and will in the future.

1019
01:27:19,020 --> 01:27:23,280
This year we fill the gap the same way and we are borrowing on top of it.

1020
01:27:23,480 --> 01:27:28,360
Another 3.9 million from fund balance in the budget boroughs of over 13 million.

1021
01:27:28,360 --> 01:27:33,700
Money that has to be paid back to cover expenses that will come back again next year.

1022
01:27:34,020 --> 01:27:35,400
Barling has a cost.

1023
01:27:35,980 --> 01:27:38,220
That cost is paid by taxpayers with interest.

1024
01:27:38,760 --> 01:27:40,460
That is the deferred tax increase.

1025
01:27:40,900 --> 01:27:44,420
And the county's own budget document says none of this addresses the long-term relationship

1026
01:27:44,420 --> 01:27:47,240
between recurring revenues and expenses.

1027
01:27:48,180 --> 01:27:49,980
Fund balance exists for a reason.

1028
01:27:50,920 --> 01:27:54,060
When a storm hits, or when a crisis comes, when something goes wrong,

1029
01:27:54,060 --> 01:28:00,320
that nobody planned for. That fund is what stands between the county and very hard choice. Drawing

1030
01:28:00,320 --> 01:28:05,180
it down to hold a tax rate is not responsible stewardship of that safety net. We are the good

1031
01:28:05,180 --> 01:28:10,880
lowest tax rate as we have mentioned here a few times today. Right-sizing that rate is not a punishment.

1032
01:28:11,380 --> 01:28:16,960
It is an honest answer and is responsible governance. There will be a reckoning and some of us will

1033
01:28:16,960 --> 01:28:21,280
still be sitting in these seats when it comes and I just want to put my dissent on record today.

1034
01:28:21,280 --> 01:28:27,960
I'm not opposed to this budget's values, I'm opposed to how it's being funded and for that reason, I will not be supporting this budget.

1035
01:28:28,700 --> 01:28:30,060
Thank you, Commissioner Walker.

1036
01:28:30,840 --> 01:28:37,720
And I'll have a few comments, but I do want to ask the manager, is this a budgeting strategy that you've used in the past?

1037
01:28:38,420 --> 01:28:42,800
Is this something new to this year or is this something that you do every year?

1038
01:28:43,580 --> 01:28:45,580
With the borrowing for certain items.

1039
01:28:45,580 --> 01:28:53,360
Every budget that I have ever recommended to the board. Yes, ma'am did include borrowed money for capital

1040
01:28:53,360 --> 01:28:56,510
Kind of capital outlady that I mean, but it says now

1041
01:28:57,100 --> 01:29:05,040
This is up a leave the 15th budget that I recommend so using borrowed money for one-time expenses

1042
01:29:05,040 --> 01:29:12,060
Things that can be capitalized or put on the balance sheet or are not strategies that we've avoided from a staff

1043
01:29:12,860 --> 01:29:15,920
And that's just something that I wanted to get out to the public.

1044
01:29:15,960 --> 01:29:18,280
This is not something that we're doing new this year.

1045
01:29:18,640 --> 01:29:20,700
The manager has said he's done it for 15 years.

1046
01:29:21,080 --> 01:29:26,360
I think in other municipalities and other counties do the same thing when they have their budget.

1047
01:29:26,640 --> 01:29:31,300
And I just want to say that by the way, this whole board has worked well together.

1048
01:29:31,480 --> 01:29:34,580
Everybody has been respectful and I certainly appreciate that.

1049
01:29:34,820 --> 01:29:37,000
But I do want to say we've heard from our citizens.

1050
01:29:37,240 --> 01:29:39,520
We know how hard it is out there for you.

1051
01:29:39,820 --> 01:29:41,700
We know that your medical insurance is up.

1052
01:29:41,700 --> 01:29:43,600
We know that your property insurance is up.

1053
01:29:43,660 --> 01:29:46,080
We know that gas prices are up, we have groceries up.

1054
01:29:46,080 --> 01:29:50,300
We know it's hard on you, and I can't help but believe that this part of the reason

1055
01:29:50,300 --> 01:29:55,300
that our sales tax numbers are down, because folks are not out spending leisurely like

1056
01:29:55,300 --> 01:29:59,580
they would in the past, and I would like to thank as well that our economy will get better.

1057
01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:12,340
But, you know, the easy fix is to just say, well, raise your taxes. That's easy fix. The hard fix is to go back to the drawing board, which is what our staff and our commissioners have done to fully fund this budget.

1058
01:30:12,740 --> 01:30:28,680
And I appreciate the creativeness and it took us working and some talking through and we've reached that balanced budget and funding all the schools and everything that's Commissioner Walker and the other commissioners have brought up without raising your taxes.

1059
01:30:28,680 --> 01:30:42,280
We've even added additional money to our way of transit, and we've done a lot of things in this budget that I'm very grateful for, and I know it's easy to say just raise the taxes, but we are very fortunate that we live in New Handover County.

1060
01:30:42,560 --> 01:30:54,300
New Handover County is a well off-counting, so we have reached in and we have creative budget and strategies, and that's why we've come up with this balanced budget without increasing your taxes.

1061
01:30:54,300 --> 01:31:00,520
and we want to keep more money on the pockets of our citizens so that they can better their families and their communities.

1062
01:31:01,240 --> 01:31:06,820
So I support the budget and in listeners any further comment, I will entertain a motion.

1063
01:31:07,200 --> 01:31:13,220
Yes, Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to adopt the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget

1064
01:31:13,220 --> 01:31:19,920
ordinance inclusive of all capital projects, all other economic development appropriations and opioid

1065
01:31:19,920 --> 01:31:27,880
expenditures as recommended by staff to include $300,000 to the Community Justice Center,

1066
01:31:28,120 --> 01:31:34,580
$150,000 to the Arts Council, New Head of Accounting and City of Wilmington, $30,000 to

1067
01:31:34,580 --> 01:31:41,480
Bellian Hall, $30,000 to Legal Aid, $30,000 to Kate Fierre Habitat for Humanity, $25,000 to

1068
01:31:41,480 --> 01:31:48,580
Alliance for Kate Fierre, $25,000 to Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, $20,000 for Cameron

1069
01:31:48,580 --> 01:31:55,360
in our museum. I will note that this motion excludes the appropriation and award of a contract

1070
01:31:55,360 --> 01:32:01,620
to the Fillian Hall Center for Performing Arts because of a state statute that requires

1071
01:32:01,620 --> 01:32:06,820
us to exempt commissioners, Apple, who serves on that board from voting on that item,

1072
01:32:07,060 --> 01:32:08,320
but otherwise that is my motion.

1073
01:32:09,940 --> 01:32:13,540
Okay, and for the public, don't understand, we will look at Thelian Hall separately

1074
01:32:13,540 --> 01:32:17,700
because we do have to recuse commissioners, Apple, from that vote because he's on the board.

1075
01:32:17,700 --> 01:32:24,460
second to the motion. I have a motion on a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye.

1076
01:32:24,460 --> 01:32:33,340
Those opposed? No. So that motion, our budget passes for in favor and want to pose Commissioner Walker in descent.

1077
01:32:34,800 --> 01:32:43,700
Madam Chair, a second motion, would therefore be that we need to appropriate and minister a contract for an individual economic development appropriation with

1078
01:32:43,700 --> 01:32:49,140
with Phelian Hall, and I do make that motion.

1079
01:32:49,600 --> 01:32:53,760
Again, Mr. Zappel has been excluded from that motion because he's on the board.

1080
01:32:54,100 --> 01:32:56,540
Do we need a separate vote to recuse Commissioner's Apple?

1081
01:32:57,200 --> 01:33:04,520
I would recommend a motion to formally recuse Commissioner's Apple and then a vote on your underlying motion.

1082
01:33:04,620 --> 01:33:12,520
All right, I first move that we excuse Commissioner's Apple and the basis of his board membership from the upcoming vote on Phelian Hall.

1083
01:33:12,520 --> 01:33:13,940
Second, all the favor?

1084
01:33:14,440 --> 01:33:14,620
All right.

1085
01:33:15,780 --> 01:33:20,500
I again make my motion that we appropriate and minister or contract for individual economic

1086
01:33:20,500 --> 01:33:25,040
development appropriation with the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts.

1087
01:33:26,360 --> 01:33:29,200
Second, all the favor?

1088
01:33:29,440 --> 01:33:30,300
All right.

1089
01:33:30,480 --> 01:33:32,100
Is that that passage unanimously?

1090
01:33:34,280 --> 01:33:41,560
So the great job staff, and we are through the budget season, it won't move on to focusing on our school

1091
01:33:41,560 --> 01:33:46,880
on that. So, and Commissioner Zach will you are back in?

1092
01:33:47,420 --> 01:33:51,500
Thank you, Madam Chair. Can we leave in to our committee appointment?

1093
01:33:53,960 --> 01:33:56,600
The first one is locate your water and sewer.

1094
01:33:57,200 --> 01:33:57,800
I'm sorry.

1095
01:33:58,900 --> 01:33:59,500
Second, yeah.

1096
01:34:00,380 --> 01:34:01,000
I'll have a favor.

1097
01:34:01,920 --> 01:34:02,840
So, hold on that.

1098
01:34:03,160 --> 01:34:03,280
Yes.

1099
01:34:04,160 --> 01:34:04,380
Okay.

1100
01:34:04,760 --> 01:34:05,500
I think we're going to.

1101
01:34:06,120 --> 01:34:07,820
All right.

1102
01:34:07,820 --> 01:34:10,740
Our next committee is new handover County Commission for Women.

1103
01:34:11,060 --> 01:34:18,280
And I'm Chair, I'd like to nominate Chris Kleg, Tracy New Kirk for re-appointment and Jenny Thompson.

1104
01:34:19,680 --> 01:34:20,200
All in favour?

1105
01:34:20,360 --> 01:34:20,660
Hi.

1106
01:34:22,460 --> 01:34:24,120
Ms. Clark, you got all that?

1107
01:34:24,340 --> 01:34:24,600
Okay.

1108
01:34:25,340 --> 01:34:28,900
New handover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee.

1109
01:34:29,900 --> 01:34:33,020
I'd like to nominate Sandra Cruz.

1110
01:34:34,040 --> 01:34:34,060
Second.

1111
01:34:35,740 --> 01:34:36,240
All in favour?

1112
01:34:36,480 --> 01:34:36,980
All right.

1113
01:34:38,520 --> 01:34:42,900
And the last one is the New Handover County Tourism Development Authority.

1114
01:34:42,900 --> 01:34:47,380
And I would like to nominate Miss Megan Mullins as a representative for the

1115
01:34:47,380 --> 01:34:47,760
Chamber of Commerce.

1116
01:34:49,480 --> 01:34:50,000
Seconds.

1117
01:34:50,000 --> 01:34:50,380
Seconds.

1118
01:34:52,140 --> 01:34:53,600
I'm going to work with you, Megan.

1119
01:34:54,800 --> 01:34:55,580
Okay, folks.

1120
01:34:56,120 --> 01:34:58,720
We do not have any more public comment.

1121
01:34:59,240 --> 01:35:02,480
Are there any additional items that anyone would like to discuss?

1122
01:35:02,740 --> 01:35:04,040
I'll start on my right with the attorney.

1123
01:35:05,880 --> 01:35:07,220
Maystras, do my right?

1124
01:35:07,920 --> 01:35:08,680
No, no, I'm sorry.

1125
01:35:08,860 --> 01:35:09,780
No, maestro, do my left?

1126
01:35:09,900 --> 01:35:15,280
Yes, I'll just mention that I'm very pleased that we've put the work in in a respectful manner.

1127
01:35:15,540 --> 01:35:17,760
We've arrived at a bipartisan budget.

1128
01:35:17,900 --> 01:35:22,280
I think that's a real reflection of our commitment to getting it done.

1129
01:35:22,540 --> 01:35:24,720
Everybody has to make compromises in a budget.

1130
01:35:24,760 --> 01:35:27,480
But I think that we did that for the betterment of our citizens.

1131
01:35:27,600 --> 01:35:32,500
And I'm very grateful to have completed successfully this latest budget cycle.

1132
01:35:32,500 --> 01:35:33,260
Thank you, Madam Chair.

1133
01:35:34,680 --> 01:35:46,140
And I'd like to say the same thing, I appreciate the way you all work together as a team with the staff and with the fellow commissioners and with our folks here and the representative in the room and those watching.

1134
01:35:46,440 --> 01:35:50,000
So thank you so much anybody over there Mr. Manager.

1135
01:35:50,500 --> 01:35:55,720
Madam Chair, not to belabor anything but thank you to the board for the guidance throughout the budget season.

1136
01:35:55,720 --> 01:35:59,340
you gave the staff the clarity and the direction it needed.

1137
01:35:59,540 --> 01:36:03,800
So thank you for telling us where to go and thank you to the Finance and Budget team for

1138
01:36:03,800 --> 01:36:05,680
getting us where we are today.

1139
01:36:06,460 --> 01:36:06,940
Yes.

1140
01:36:07,240 --> 01:36:08,000
Commissioner, sir.

1141
01:36:08,260 --> 01:36:08,880
Thank you.

1142
01:36:10,300 --> 01:36:13,460
I just want to add on to that.

1143
01:36:13,480 --> 01:36:20,340
Our Budget team, led by Amanda Kosuzia and Eric Cretel, I want to thank you so much for the work

1144
01:36:20,340 --> 01:36:21,660
that you've put into it.

1145
01:36:21,660 --> 01:36:24,060
And we've had multiple personal conversations.

1146
01:36:24,960 --> 01:36:27,840
You've been incredibly patient with me over this period here

1147
01:36:27,840 --> 01:36:30,480
and provided excellent numbers.

1148
01:36:31,460 --> 01:36:33,400
And not once did you throw me out of your office.

1149
01:36:33,900 --> 01:36:36,080
So that's really good.

1150
01:36:36,360 --> 01:36:37,180
Thank you very much.

1151
01:36:37,380 --> 01:36:38,600
I would like to second that also.

1152
01:36:39,720 --> 01:36:41,160
And I know we're over this budget season,

1153
01:36:42,140 --> 01:36:44,160
but the prepared is we're going to need you next year.

1154
01:36:45,360 --> 01:36:45,980
Thank you, guys.

1155
01:36:46,160 --> 01:36:47,100
Anybody else?

1156
01:36:47,560 --> 01:36:48,600
Okay, it's made us adjourned.

1157
01:36:49,120 --> 01:36:49,680
Thank you, Madam Chair.