2023-03-14 Special Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 14, 2023 PAGE 679
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Special Meeting on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at
10:05 a.m. in the David M. Paynter Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Northeast Regional Library, 1241
Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present: Chair Bill Rivenbark; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Commissioner Deb Hays; and
Commissioner Rob Zapple. Vice-Chair LeAnn Pierce was absent.
Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; County Attorney Wanda Copley; and Clerk to the Board
Kymberleigh G. Crowell.
Others present: Assistant County Manager Tufanna Bradley; Assistant County Manager Lisa Wurtzbacher;
Chief Financial Officer Eric Credle; Chief Human Resources Officer Mark Francolini; Chief Information Officer Sunny
Hwang; Chief Communications Officer Jessica Loeper; Chief Strategy Officer Jennifer Rigby; Chief Diversity and Equity
Officer Linda Thompson; and Chief Facilities Officer Sara Warmuth.
Chair Rivenbark called the special meeting to order stating that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the
development of a new five-year strategic plan. He then asked Chief Strategy Officer Jennifer Rigby to begin the
discussion.
FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2024 – 2028 STRATEGIC PLANNING DISCUSSION
Chief Strategy Officer Jennifer Rigby and Senior Strategy Analyst Eliza Baldwin presented and discussed the
following information with the Board:
FY24-28 Strategic Plan:
Context Map:
A context map allows for the ability to see the big picture and an overview of the work
environment. It is an opportunity to explore the external factors that directly affect the
County’s work.
Categories:
Trends: Forces with an identifiable direction of movement, i.e., stronger, weaker, etc.
Factors: Current conditions that may be important but are not a trend.
Business/Economic Climate: General economic trends, employment sector trends, etc.
Uncertainties: Issues, concerns, dynamic forces, and any areas lacking information.
Assets and Resources: Existing assets and/or resources that support desired outcomes or
goals.
Opportunities and Desired Outcomes: Defines state of affairs once goals are achieved.
Community Survey Report:
Provided an opportunity for residents to share input on community issues
Survey launched Monday, February 20, 2023 and closed on Monday, March 6, 2023
All promotional materials available in English and Spanish
Paper copies were placed at libraries, Senior Resource Center, Health and Human Services
Social media and direct outreach to community partners
Total responses: 2,243
Demographic Report Out:
Response Rate by Zip Code:
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35
SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 14, 2023 PAGE 680
Resident Issues Ranked:
1. Public school education
2. Community safety
3. Environmental stewardship
4. Access to health care
5. Water and sewer infrastructure
6. Quality, high-paying jobs
7. Being prepared for a natural disaster
8. Workforce housing
9. Access to mental health and substance use disorder resources
Resident Ratings on Statements Relating to the County:
Resident Freeform Question Responses:
Ms. Rigby and Ms. Baldwin led the discussion on input received from the group regarding the following
context maps:
Workforce and Economic Development in terms of: Education trends, economic mobility factors,
business climate, job creation trends, assets and resources, opportunities and desired outcomes, and
uncertainties
Growth, Development and Environmental Stewardship in terms of: Growth and development trends,
environmental factors, economic climate, environmental stewardship trends, assets and resources,
opportunities and desired outcomes, and uncertainties
Community Safety and Well-Being in terms of: Public health trends, social determinants of health,
economic climate, community safety trends, assets and resources, opportunities and desired
outcomes, and uncertainties
Discussion ensued about how the work done during the session between the Board and the Executive
Leadership Team will help the FY24-28 Strategic Plan succeed. The Board expressed appreciation to staff for the
discussion.
ADJOURNMENT
The Board There being no further business, Chair Rivenbark adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kymberleigh G. Crowell
Clerk to the Board
Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting.