2023-02-20 Regular Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 20, 2023 PAGE 646
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met February 20, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in Regular Session
in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present: Chair Bill Rivenbark; Vice-Chair LeAnn Pierce; Commissioner Deb Hays; and
Commissioner Rob Zapple. Members absent: Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.
Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; County Attorney Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board
Kymberleigh G. Crowell.
Chair Rivenbark stated that Commissioner Barfield was unable to attend the meeting and therefore, the
board members present needed to excuse him from the meeting. He asked for motion and a second to excuse
Commissioner Barfield from the February 20, 2023 meeting.
Motion: Commissioner Hays MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Pierce to excuse Commissioner Barfield from the
February 20, 2023 meeting. Upon vote, the MOTION PASSED 4 TO 0.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Senior Human Resources Analyst Bo Dean provided the invocation and Chair Rivenbark led the audience in
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Chair Rivenbark requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Motion: Commissioner Zapple MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chair Pierce to approve the Consent Agenda as
presented. Upon vote, the MOTION PASSED 4 TO 0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes – Governing Body
The Commissioners approved the minutes of the Agenda Review Meeting and Closed Session held on
February 2, 2023 and the Regular Meeting held on February 6, 2023.
Adoption of Resolution Supporting the Request of the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority for the North
Carolina General Assembly to Provide Funding of a 10-Mile Parallel Line Phase 2 – Governing Body
The Commissioners adopted a resolution supporting the request of the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer
Authority for the North Carolina General Assembly to provide funding for Phase 2 of a 10-Mile Parallel Line.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIX,
Page 4.1.
Approval to Amend Fee Schedule to Increase Deputy Contract Pay from $36 per hour to $46 per hour – Sheriff
The Commissioners approved the amendment to the fee schedule to increase deputy contract pay for off-
duty deputies to provide security, from $36 per hour to $46 per hour. Of that fee $40 will be paid to the deputy,
$1.40 will be retained by the County as an administrative fee, and $4.60 will be paid to a company to administer the
program. As a result of the decrease in the amount of the administrative fee, there will be a reduction in revenue
collected by the County of approximately $38,000. The change will take effect on March 1, 2023.
Approval of Donation of Permanent Utility Easement to the North Carolina Department of Transportation
(NCDOT) for the Installation of a Traffic Signal at the Intersection of Halyburton Memorial Parkway and River Road
– County Manager
The Commissioners approved the requested NCDOT donation of a permanent utility easement at the
intersection of Halyburton Memorial Parkway and River Road for the purpose of installing a traffic signal. NCDOT
wants to add a traffic signal at the intersection of Halyburton Memorial Parkway and River Road in New Hanover
County. The project is warranted for safety and increased traffic along both roads. The easement area is a 50-feet x
60-feet rectangle in the right of way. NCDOT anticipates that the traffic signal could be installed by March 2024.
Adoption of a Resolution to Support the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's Efforts to Increase Division
of Juvenile Justice Staff Salaries - County Manager
The Commissioners adopted a resolution in support of efforts by the North Carolina Department of Public
Safety to secure salary increases for staff of the Division of Juvenile Justice.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIX,
Page 4.2.
Second Reading: Approval of Solid Waste Franchise Agreement for Weis Waste, LLC dba Bin There Dump That –
County Attorney
The Commissioners approved the second reading of the solid waste franchise agreement for Weis Waste,
LLC dba Bin There Dump That. The franchise period runs for seven years.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 20, 2023 PAGE 647
Adoption of Amendment to the New Hanover County Code of Ordinances Chapter 17, Civil Emergencies, Article
II, Department of Emergency Management – Emergency Management
The Commissioners adopted an ordinance amendment of the New Hanover County Code of Ordinances
Chapter 17, Civil Emergencies, Article II, Department of Emergency Management.
A copy of the ordinance amendment is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit
Book XLIX, Page 4.3.
Adoption of Resolution Approving the Representation for New Hanover Regional Medical Center Retirement Plans
– Finance
The Commissioners adopted a resolution approving Eric Credle, Chief Financial Officer and Martha Wayne,
Deputy Chief Financial Officer as authorized New Hanover County representatives with authority to conduct business
on behalf of New Hanover County with First Citizens Bank & Trust Company, in its capacity as Discretionary Trustee.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit Book XLIX,
Page 4.4.
Adoption of Budget Amendments – Budget
The Commissioners adopted the following budget amendments amending the annual budget ordinance for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023:
Sheriff's Office 23-042, 23-047, 23-048, 23-050, 23-051
Senior Resource Center 23-045, 23-049
Library 23-046
Copies of the budget amendments are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit
Book XLIX, Page 4.5.
REGULAR ITEMS OF BUSINESS
PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
County Manager Coudriet recognized the following employee receiving a retirement award:
Sharon Huffman, County Attorney, retiring with 16 years of service.
Chair Rivenbark presented the retirement award to Ms. Huffman and the Commissioners expressed
appreciation and thanked her for her years of dedicated service.
County Manager Coudriet requested the following employees to step forward to receive service awards:
Five Years: Avella Ballard, Register of Deeds
Brigid Cotton, Senior Resource Center
Norman (Jason) Lee, Information Technology
Katina Reaves, Health and Human Services (HHS) – Public Health
Darcie Roten, Cape Fear Museum
Jawad Salmi, Facilities Management
Ten Years: Dara Armstrong, HHS – Social Services
Fifteen Years: Jennifer Karabin, Engineering
Twenty-Five Years: Patricia Jauregui, Engineering
Thirty Years: Lora Tyler, HHS – Administration
Chair Rivenbark presented a service award to each person and the Commissioners expressed appreciation
and thanked each one for their years of dedicated service.
County Manager Coudriet requested the following new employees to stand and be introduced:
Alexandra Atkisson, Community Justice Services
Jasmin Beatty, Facilities Management
Amanda Caufield, Port City United
Morghan Collins, Register of Deeds
Demaine Hill, HHS – Social Services
Diana Tyson, HHS – Social Services
The Commissioners welcomed the employees to County Government and wished them success in their
new positions.
PRESENTATION OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL BOARD UPDATE
Charles Hill, New Hanover County Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) General Manager, Bruce Shell, ABC Board
Chair, and Cedric Dickerson, ABC Board Vice-Chair presented the annual update highlighting the following:
ABC Board Organization:
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 20, 2023 PAGE 648
Board Members: Bruce Shell, Chair; Cedric Dickerson, Vice Chair; Bill Rivenbark, Member; Tom
Wolfe, Member; Angie Barr, Member; and Wanda Copley, Legal Counsel
Management Team: Charles Hill, General Manager; James Casteen, Assistant General Manager;
Kathy Clark, Finance Officer; Danny Meeks, Purchasing and Logistics Director; Steven Welty,
Payroll/Human Resources Generalist; and Karen King, Accounts Payable/Procurement Specialist
1935: New Hanover County first to legalize the sell whiskey in the state:
First two stores opened August 3, 1935
Three additional stores opened on August 5, 1935
Total Gross Sales:
2012: $33.4 million
2017: $44.1 million
2022: $65.1 million
Cases Received Per Week:
1966: averaged 1,000 cases
2012: averaged 3,720 cases
2017: averaged 4,624 cases
2022: averaged 6,300 cases
FY Ending June 30, 2022 Financial Information:
Independent auditors issued a “clean” audit report
Total sales: $65,121,966
Gross sales increased $5.9 million (10%)
Gross profit increased $1.8 million (11.83%)
Operating income increased $2.2 million (24.08%)
Local tax and profit distributions increased $1.4 million (13.73%)
Operating expenses decreased $335,000 (5.21%)
Recognized by North Carolina ABC Commission as the third most profitable in state out of 171 boards:
Distributions – Third in the State 2022:
Local Distribution History:
2012: $3.9 million
2017: $5.3 million
2022: $11.8 million
FY 2022 Total Amount of Distributions:
New Hanover County: $5,406,279
City of Wilmington: $3,234,277
Wrightsville Beach: $1,049,495
Carolina Beach: $941,834
Kure Beach: $24,976
Law Enforcement: $619,320
7% Alcohol/Substance Abuse Grant Program: $510,000
FY 2022 total distributions: $11,786,181(13.61% increase)
Taxes and Distributions Impact by the Penny on Local Taxpayers:
Alcohol Law Enforcement:
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 20, 2023 PAGE 649
The Board contracts with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Department – Four Full-Time Officers
(current year budget - $370,475)
Interlocal Agreements entered at the beginning of this year with other law enforcement agencies
across the County for ABC Law Enforcement:
Wilmington Police Department: five officers
Wrightsville Beach Police Department: three officers
Carolina Beach Police Department: two officers
Law Enforcement Grants 2022:
Law enforcement grants offered to all five law enforcement agencies in New Hanover County
Total available grants of $150,000:
Awarded 2022:
New Hanover County Sherriff’s Department: $4,320
Carolina Beach Police Department: $50,000
Wrightsville Beach Police Department: $50,000
2022 law enforcement received a total of $619,320 through contract and grants
Community Outreach Annual Grant Program:
Grants are awarded to non-profit organization in New Hanover County for funding for education,
prevention, treatment and/or research of alcohol and/or substance abuse (substance use
disorder) per North Carolina General Statute 18B-805(h)
Awarded amounts from $10,000 to $100,000
Annually budgeted total amounts of awarded grants:
FY 2022 $510,000:
Brigade Boys & Girls Club: $100,000
Coastal Horizons: $100,000
Community Boys & Girls Club: $100,000
Leading into New Communities, Inc. (LINC): $60,000
The Centre of Redemption, DBA A Safe Place: $50,000
Tides, Inc.: $70,000
Peer Recovery Resources: $30,000
FY 2023 $620,000
The New Hanover County ABC Board continually strives to improve customer service and optimize
profitability to make these significant financial contributions for the citizens of New Hanover County
In response to Board questions, Mr. Shell provided an overview of what high school seniors must submit to
be considered for a scholarship. Essentially, students submit an essay on underage drinking and the importance of
being responsible.
The Commissioners expressed appreciation to the ABC Board and staff for their work and for what they give
back to the community.
Chair Rivenbark thanked Mr. Hill, Mr. Shell, and Mr. Dickerson for the presentation.
CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION AND BYLAWS ESTABLISHING THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY
HISPANIC/LATINO COMMISSION
Chief Diversity and Equity Officer Linda Thompson stated that she was honored to present the resolution
to establish the first Hispanic/Latino commission in the County's history. The Office of Diversity and Equity
recognized the need to create positive and productive relationships with the Hispanic/Latino community when the
department was formed two years ago. She noted that members from the Hispanic/Latino community were present
in support of the establishment of the commission.
Diversity and Equity Outreach Coordinator Marimer McKenzie presented the following information on the
request:
Resolution to Establish the New Hanover County Hispanic/Latino Commission:
Establishing a Hispanic/Latino Commission in the County is important for several reasons:
Representation, cultural awareness and understanding, community engagement, and growing
population
The Hispanic/Latino Population is Growing Rapidly (per data.census.gov):
The United States (U.S.) Hispanic/Latino population reached 62.1 million in 2020 making it the
second fastest growing demographic in the United States
In North Carolina (NC), the Hispanic/Latino population is over 1.1 million people and rising as
of the 2020 census
The Hispanic/Latino population in NC has grown over 40% in the last 10 years
Hispanic/Latino Population in New Hanover County (per NCdemography.org):
Hispanic/Latino individuals make up 6.2% of the population (and rising as of the 2020 Census)
This number has already risen to 7.7% as of 2021
2021 Snapshot of Status of Hispanics/Latinos in NC:
Statewide, 10.7% of North Carolinas population is Hispanic or Latino, just over half the
national average 18.7%
Approximately six out of ten Hispanics living in NC are U.S. born
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 20, 2023 PAGE 650
As of 2020 buying power for Hispanics in NC was $23.8 billion dollars
The Hispanic/Latino community in the County is comprised of individuals from a variety of
countries, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Venezuela,
among others. Many Latinos in the state are bilingual and have close ties to their cultural
heritage.
Despite their growing numbers, Latinos in North Carolina, and New Hanover County face many
challenges, including limited access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
In addition, many Hispanic immigrants struggle with language barriers and discrimination .
Important Takeaways:
Despite these challenges, the Latino community in NC including the County continues to grow
and thrive, making significant contributions to the state's economy and cultural landscape
The New Hanover County Hispanic/Latino Commission will serve to further promote
understanding, inclusiveness, and equity for the Hispanic/Latino community in the County.
The commission shall be organized for the purpose of acting as an advocate for the
Hispanic/Latino community and a resource of information on the status of Hispanics/Latinos
in the County.
Chair Rivenbark thanked Ms. Thompson and Ms. McKenzie for the presentation and open the floor to Board
discussion.
The Commissioners expressed appreciation for the request being brought forward for consideration.
Hearing no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark asked for Board direction.
Motion: Commissioner Hays MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple to adopt the resolution and bylaws
establishing the New Hanover County Hispanic/Latino Commission. Upon vote, the MOTION PASSED 4 TO 0.
A copy of the resolution and bylaws are hereby incorporated as part of the minutes and contained in Exhibit
Book XLIX, Page 4.6.
PRESENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT
HHS Director Donna Fayko, Interim Public Health Director Jon Campbell, and HHS Equity Coordinator Fawn
Rhodes presented the following information:
New Hanover County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA):
Purpose of Community Health Assessment:
Systematic process for evaluating community health
Community members identify needs, areas for improvement, resources, and strengths
Priority areas are selected for strategic planning
Promotes collaboration and action planning
Process of Community Health Assessment:
Data Comparison:
Brunswick, Buncombe, and Gaston counties
State of North Carolina
Targets from Healthy North Carolina 2030 objectives
Priority Selection:
Equitable Inclusion:
Equitable inclusion is a priority in any health assessment to ensure true reflection of
community composition
Early analysis demonstrated the response rates from historically marginalized populations
(HMPs) were not reflective of our community
Efforts were undertaken to engage community leaders to ultimately ensure responses aligned
with county demographics
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 20, 2023 PAGE 651
Focus groups were identified by the stakeholders to ensure a diverse set of voices and
experiences were represented: aging community members, Black community members,
Hispanic/Latin community members, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ community
members, and unsheltered Individuals
Describing New Hanover County:
Housing:
Factors related to housing affordability and quality can have negative impacts on health
outcomes:
Mental Health and Substance Use:
Mental health is as important as physical health to total well-being and is interrelated to
substance use:
Access to Care:
Healthcare serves an important role in preventing illness and providing diagnosis and
treatment:
Next Steps:
Develop measurable objectives to address each priority using evidence-based strategies
Plan evaluation and accountability throughout the next three years
In response to Board questions, Mr. Campbell stated the first check-in will occur in September 2023. County
Manager Coudriet stated that the Executive Leadership Team has been working with the Health Department and
the information presented today will be incorporated into the strategic plan.
Hearing no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark thanked Ms. Fayko, Mr. Campbell, and Ms. Rhodes for the
presentation.
PRESENTATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 – SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS
Eric Credle, Chief Financial Officer presented the following information on the second quarter of Fiscal Year
(FY) 2022-2023 financial results as follows:
FY 2023 Second Quarter Financial Summary:
Overview:
Property tax rate per $100 of assessed value:
FY 2023 = 45.5 cents
FY 2022 = 47.5 cents
Property tax bills mailed in late July:
Payable by citizens without interest until January 5, 2023
Tax receipt peak period is December - January
Sales taxes:
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 20, 2023 PAGE 652
Received in the third month following the sale:
July, August, September sales tax receipts were received prior to December 31, 2022
October and November sales taxes were received in January/February 2023
Total for July – November:
General Fund Revenues vs. Expenditures:
Revenues of $211.6 million through December 2022 represent 52.2% of total budget
(60.2% for prior year):
Excluding miscellaneous items, the comparison is 57.0% in the current year vs. 56.0%
in the prior year
Total expenditures of $165.4 million represent 42.6% of budget (45.0% for prior year)
General Fund Revenues:
Property tax revenue down slightly in current year due to lower tax rate:
77.1% of budgeted property tax received (77.7% in prior year)
Sales taxes up from $20.3 million in prior year to $23.4 million in current year:
27.7% of budgeted sales tax received (24.4% in prior year)
Other revenues in line with expectations
General Fund Expenditures:
Total expenditures of $165.4 million represent 42.6% of budget (45.0% for prior year)
Most functions trending higher than prior year due to an increase in their budgets
Debt Service Fund Revenues and Expenditures:
Total revenues collected of $20.3 million, or 50.2% of budget (52.5% in prior year):
Revenues are primarily property tax and sales tax allocations
Expenditures represent actual debt payments
Transfers from General Fund bridge gap
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 20, 2023 PAGE 653
Fire Services:
Total revenues of $12.4 million through December 31, 2022 represent 59.2% of budget
(62.2% in prior year):
Revenues are primarily property tax and sales tax allocations
Total expenditures of $11.3 million, or 53.9% of total budget (50.5% in prior year).
Environmental Management:
Fund runs under stand-alone business model:
Fees for services comprise substantially all revenue
Increase in tipping fee has been partially offset by lower tonnage:
188,332 tons in 2023 vs. 199,853 in 2022
Revenue of $8.1 million fiscal year to date equals prior year
Expenditures year to date of $5.4 million vs. $4.7 million in prior year:
Capital project expenditures expected to occur in second half of year
Stormwater Services:
First full year of this fund running under stand-alone business model:
First year of full fee being charged
Fee is included on property tax bill:
Revenue is front loaded, whereas expenses occur throughout year
73.0% of total fee budget has been collected through December 2022
Expenditures of $2.2 million year to date vs. $1.9 million in prior year. 47.0% of total
budget in current year vs. 48.8% in prior year.
American Rescue Plan Act Fund:
$45.5 million received in total
$23.0 million spent to life to date:
$5.4 million spent in the first half of FY 2023:
Primarily on physical and mental health initiatives
Substantially all the remaining funds have been earmarked and will be committed by
12/31/24
Other:
Investment Portfolio:
Additional unrealized losses in FY 2023 amount to $11.1 million ($37.2 million in
total):
Due to ongoing interest rate increases
Only $313,000 of the additional losses impact the unassigned general fund
balance
Credit risk remains sound
Will result in unrealized losses reversing and recognized as earnings as the
investments approach maturity
Investment income through 12/31/22 = $3.7 million vs. budget for total year of $2.6
million:
Expected to result in favorable variance at 6/30/23 of $4.5+ million
Interest rates hikes/inflation continue to be monitored closely by staff
Hearing no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark thanked Mr. Credle for the presentation.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 20, 2023 PAGE 654
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Appointment to the New Hanover County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority
Chair Rivenbark reported that two vacancies exist on the New Hanover County Industrial Facilities and
Pollution Control Financing Authority with two applications available for consideration.
Commissioner Zapple nominated Robert F. Ruffner, Jr. and Phillip Watts for appointment. Commissioner
Hays seconded the nomination.
Hearing no further nominations, Chair Rivenbark asked for a vote on the nominations on the floor.
Vote Results: The Board voted 4 TO 0 to appoint Robert F. Ruffner, Jr. and Phillip Watts to the New Hanover County
Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority for six year terms, with the terms to expire February
22, 2029.
Appointment to the Wilmington-New Hanover Port, Waterway and Beach Commission
Chair Rivenbark reported that three vacancies exist on the Wilmington-New Hanover Port, Waterway and
Beach Commission in the Environmental Concerns, NC Beach and Waterway Association, and Terminals and Industry
categories with one application available for reappointment and three applications available for consideration.
Commissioner Zapple nominated Dennis Barbour, Harry K. Knight, and Phillip Watts for appointment. Vice-
Chair Pierce seconded the nominations.
Hearing no further nominations, Chair Rivenbark asked for a vote on the nominations on the floor.
Vote Results: The Board voted 4 TO 0 to appoint Dennis Barbour in the NC Beach and Waterway Association
category, Harry K. Knight in the Environmental Concerns category, and Philip Watts in the Terminals and Industry
category to the Wilmington-New Hanover Port, Waterway, and Beach Commission for three year terms, with the
terms to expire February 28, 2026.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Rivenbark stated that two people signed up to speak on non-agenda items and invited the people to
make remarks.
Gail Major, resident of Canal Drive, stated she was following up on the book grievance that she provided
back In January and stated she has not received nor seen a response from the Board, Sheriff, nor the school board
to date. She said the Board’s involvement resides with the implementation of allowing the transfer of inappropriate
e-books from the libraries to students’ school-issued devices as there is no way to determine their age through their
lunch card.
Elizabeth Connelly, resident of Wilmington, NC, expressed her concerns about how local government
operates and why the Board felt it was appropriate to approve establishing the New Hanover County Hispanic/Latino
Commission and as well as having commissions for other specific ethnicities as the U.S. Constitution is for everyone.
ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS
There were no additional items of business.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chair Rivenbark adjourned the meeting at 10:29 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kymberleigh G. Crowell
Clerk to the Board
Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners
meeting. The entire proceedings are available online at www.nhcgov.com.