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2023-03-16 Budget Work Session & Agenda Review NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 BUDGET WORK SESSION AND AGENDA REVIEW, MARCH 16, 2023 PAGE 681 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Budget Work Session and Agenda Review on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 3:06 p.m. in the Harrell Conference Room at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. Members present: Chair Bill Rivenbark; Vice-Chair LeAnn Pierce; Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Jr.; Commissioner Deb Hays; and Commissioner Rob Zapple. Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet; County Attorney Wanda Copley; and Clerk to the Board Kymberleigh G. Crowell. Chair Rivenbark called the Budget Work Session meeting to order and announced that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget priorities and the March 20, 2023 Regular Meeting agenda. FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2023-2024 BUDGET WORK SESSION: REVENUE STABILIZATION, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE, AND OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS Chief Financial Officer Eric Credle, Budget Officer Michelle Daniels, and Chief Strategy Officer Jennifer Rigby shared the following information:  FY 2023-2024 Budget Work Session: Revenue Stabilization, Mental Health and Substance Use, And Opioid Settlement Funds:  Market Update:  Banking Industry:  Many banks invested in long term bonds when interest rates were low  Sharp rise in interest rates led to high unrealized losses in those bonds (led to loss of confidence at Silicon Valley Bank)  NC Municipal Bank Deposits Collateralized through Treasurer  NC Management Trust comprised of US Govt Securities < 60 days in duration  Review of Escrows:  Revenue Stabilization Fund:  Asset Composition:  Maturity Schedule: In response to Board questions regarding the revenue stabilization fund maturity schedule, Mr. Credle confirmed that the schedule includes everything but the $13 million in liquid assets. The rest of the revenue stabilization fund is invested in bonds. If the Board wanted to use a significant amount of those funds it would have to sell bonds that would in turn create other losses if cashed in before reaching maturity.  Investment Income:  Accumulated investment earnings from inception to February 2023: $5.2 million  Projected accumulated investment earnings as of June 30, 2023: $7.0 million  FY 2024 projected investment earnings: $5.5 million  Funds Committed in FY23: Brief discussion ensued regarding the School Transportation Presence initiative. County Manager Coudriet explained that it is separate from the afterschool transportation which is covered by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Regarding the ARPA funds, some of that money has been returned because it has not been spent. The NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 BUDGET WORK SESSION AND AGENDA REVIEW, MARCH 16, 2023 PAGE 682 funds being returned still have the ARPA restrictions and the County has until December 31, 2024 to spend or encumber the funds for contracted services. Ms. Daniels explained that not all the revenue stabilization funds (RSF) that have been committed for the current fiscal year will be spent. County Manager Coudriet added that funds not spent as part of the RSF spending plan, will revert to the RSF, not the general fund.  FY24 Estimated Spending Plan: A brief discussion ensued regarding the non-profit capacity building. County Manager Coudriet stated that when the Board approved the spending plan it also appropriated an additional $1.2 million to help the non-profit community go further in its work. There is a cycle of grants being done now as part of the current budget and those dollars are intended to repeat again next year. He does not believe the grants have been executed yet. Assistant County Manager Tufanna Bradley stated that 37 applications have been received and there is a committee that has been put together to review them. The County has partnered with United Way to distribute the funds and they report back to the County. Final decisions on the grant applications will be made on March 28,2023. Although some non-profits will also be applying for grants to the Non-County Agency Funding Committee, the grants would not be for the same set of services. In response to Board questions about dipping into the principle of the RSF , Mr. Credle stated that if the Board must use any of the principal it will be very little. The projected accrued interest is $12.2 million, and the current need is $13.5 million. To appropriate interest, a simple majority of the Board must vote in favor. To appropriate principal, a super majority of the Board must vote in favor. County Manager Coudriet stated that the spending plan was not managed to avoid using principal, it was managed to be consistent with the plan that was adopted by the Board.  Other Community Building Initiatives:  FY2024 Estimated Spending Plan: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds/Fund Balance:  Mental Health and Substance Use Fund:  Asset Composition:  Maturity Schedule:  Investment Interest:  Accumulated investment earnings from inception to February 2023: $0.9 million  Projected accumulated investment earnings as of June 30, 2023: $1.2 million  FY 2024 projected investment earnings: $0.9 million NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 BUDGET WORK SESSION AND AGENDA REVIEW, MARCH 16, 2023 PAGE 683  FY 2024 Estimated Spending Plan: Discussion was held about how the clinicians embedded with the 911 Employee Assistance Program would be to help the 911 operators deescalate the situation with a caller on the line. It will eventually lead to assistance with mental health crisis on the ground to assist first responders, particularly law enforcement. Regarding the Robin Hood Road renovations, the amount is just for the cost of the renovation, which for the County is $3.7 million. Trillium and Leading Into New Communities (LINC) will be contributing a combined $2.4 million. Regarding housing support for individuals in treatment and recovery, it will be like LINC’s program and The Tides program where housing and wrap around services are provided for those coming out of treatment. As for a long-term inpatient mental health facility, Ms. Rigby stated that is something that is on the horizon. The plan being presented is really for the first year and there is also a need for a youth facility.  Opioid Settlement Fund: Program Review and Joint Elected Sub-Committee Approval:  Program/Initiative: D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education):  Recommending Organization: New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office  Funding Request: $60,000 (one-time)  Description: D.A.R.E. has created a comprehensive K-12 Opioid abuse prevention program. A School Resource Officer (SRO) teaches children from kindergarten through th 12grade how to live productive drug free lives.  Outcome: Funding request includes training for 65 SROs and four Wilmington Police Department (WPD) School Liaison Officers (SLO) for a total of 69 Officers and some materials.  Program/Initiative: Medication-Assisted Treatment (Detention Center):  Recommending Organization: New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office/Coastal Horizons  Funding Request: $182,000 recurring for a total of $910,000 (five years)  Description: Currently providing Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for individuals already on MAT. This is the second phase, which allows for inmates to choose to begin MAT treatment plan through an induction process in detention facilities. Eligibility is determined by the Program Administration (Coastal Horizons) based on an intake questionnaire administered by Wellpath.  Outcome: Individuals impacted by the justice system have pathways to treatment options. Currently serving 29 inmates. This would add five inmates/week and the Sheriff’s Office estimates supporting 300 inmates/year.  Program/Initiative: Medication-Assisted Treatment (EMS):  Recommending Organization: New Hanover County Fire Rescue and Novant Health  Funding Request: $520,000 initial and $292,000 recurring for a total $1,688,000  Description: The EMS MAT Program offers an individual the opportunity to begin a MAT program by offering buprenorphine after an opioid overdose event, and then uses community paramedics and post overdose response teams to follow up and continue to provide medication and support until the person can be placed in long-term substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.  Outcome: The goals of this program to provide a pathway to treatment for individuals at the time of overdose to reduce opioid deaths and Emergency Department visits in New Hanover County. This project will increase access to evidence-based SUD treatment to individuals who may not have access to treatment options.  Program/Initiative: Post-Overdose Response Team/QRT:  Recommending Organization: Coastal Horizons  Funding Request: $250,000 (years 2 – 5) for a total $1,000,000  Description: Post-overdose response teams (PORTs; also called Quick Response Teams, Rapid Response, Community Response Teams, etc.) are an emerging strategy to follow up with patients who have experienced an overdose within 24-72 hours. Teams seek to link the patient with appropriate care ranging from harm reduction services to treatment to recovery supports.  Outcome: Provides stable funding for an existing grant program and increases the capacity by an additional 100 people would receive service.  Program/Initiative: Employment Related Services for People in Treatment and Recovery:  Recommending Organization: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Stakeholders  Funding Request: $40,000 recurring for a total $200,000 (five years)  Description: Program offers employment support services to people in treatment or recovery such as job training, job skills, job placement, interview coaching, resume NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 BUDGET WORK SESSION AND AGENDA REVIEW, MARCH 16, 2023 PAGE 684 review, professional attire, relevant courses at community colleges or vocational schools, transportation services or transportation vouchers to facilitate any of these activities, or similar services or supports.  Outcome: This new program will require a partner and will assist individuals in recovery to find and maintain a job.  Program/Initiative: Recovery Housing Support for People in Treatment and Recovery:  Recommending Organization: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Stakeholders  Funding Request: $250,000 recurring for a total $1,250,000 (five years)  Description: Short-term recovery housing provides wrap around services characterized by opioid-free living settings, which involves peer support and other addiction recovery aids. Provides clinically managed low-intensity residential services for adults diagnosed with a substance use disorder and require daily supervision.  Outcome: Stable housing for individuals recovering from a substance use disorder crisis.  Program/Initiative: Wrap-Around Support Services for People Transitioning form Opioid Treatment:  Recommending Organization: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Stakeholders  Funding Request: $250,000 recurring for a total $1,250,000 (five years)  Description: Wrap-around services are any services that are not treatment, but instead are services that “wrap around” individuals and help them get into treatment, stay in recovery, or prevent opioid use. Examples include childcare, legal help, peer support, transportation, or education support.  Outcome: Stable Wrap around services for individuals recovering from a substance use disorder crisis.  Program/Initiative: Treatment and Medication for Uninsured:  Recommending Organization: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Stakeholders  Funding Request: $125,000 recurring for a total $625,000 (five years)  Description: Provides funding for treatment and medication for underinsured and uninsured patients who cannot afford them.  Outcome: Treatment and medications for underinsured and uninsured can intervene and save unnecessary trips to the Emergency Department and reduce overdoses.  Opioid Settlement Funds (Partial Funding):  Additional Programs for Consideration:  Opioid Prevention Public Service Announcements: $25,000 recurring for a total of $125,000 (five years)  Opioid (SUD) Outreach and Education: $20,000 recurring for a total of $100,000 (five years)  Totals:  Cash Projection – Opioid Settlement: In response to Board questions regarding the Post-Overdose Response Team, it would expand the contract the County currently has with Coastal Horizons. It would allow an additional 100 people per year to receive the service.  Funding Considerations for Subsequent Years:  Getting Home Program  Pharmacy Prescription Lockboxes and Drop boxes  UNCW Nurse Practitioner Program endowed professorship  Peer Support Living Room  General Fund – Revenue Projections and Continuation Expenditures:  The impact of inflation will be considered while continuing to work through budget development. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 BUDGET WORK SESSION AND AGENDA REVIEW, MARCH 16, 2023 PAGE 685  Next Steps: th  March 30 Budget Work Session: New Hanover County Schools and preliminary Enterprise Fund data  April Work Sessions: Ensure budget allocations align with Board priorities th  May 15: Manager’s recommendation including Non-County Agency Funding Committee recommendation th  June 5: Public hearing th  By June 19: Budget adoption A brief discussion ensued regarding a budget workbook with comparisons between the current year expenditures and what is budgeted for FY2023-24. County Manager Coudriet stated that the Board will get that detail when the recommended budget is presented on May 15,2023. In response to Board questions about average daily membership (ADM) for schools, Ms. Daniels stated that the number has not been nailed down yet. The ADM is paid the same on traditional and charter schools. There is a reduction in ADM paid for virtual charter schools. As for school transportation, that appropriation comes from the state. DISCUSSION OF MARCH 20, 2023 AGENDA ITEMS The Board reviewed and discussed the agenda items for the March 20, 2023 Regular Meeting as noted: Consent Agenda Items. No items were discussed. Regular Item #8: Consideration of Resolution Authorizing the Negotiation of an Amendment to an Installment Financing Contract Directing the Publication of Notice with Respect Thereto, Declaring the Intent of the County to Reimburse Itself for Capital Expenditures From Proceeds Thereof, and Providing for Certain Other Related Matters Thereto Not to Exceed $25 Million. In response to Board questions, Mr. Credle stated that the matter is a standard debt issuance of limited obligation bonds (LOBs) and for the most part is for funds already spent. STAFF UPDATES Update on the Western Bank Study. Planning and Land Use Director Rebekah Roth provided the following update:  Western Bank Planning Update:  Update Components:  When discussing the western bank, the reference is to the area on the western side of the Cape Fear and Northeast Cape Fear Rivers across from downtown Wilmington between the Isabel Holmes Bridge (IHB) to the north and Cape Fear Memorial Bridge (CFMB) to the south.  The area is made up of two separate sections, the northern bank, which is north of the confluence of the two rivers, and the southern portion, the area of Eagle’s Island within New Hanover County. It is comprised of ten parcels, under nine separate owners. Historically, the area has been used and zoned for a variety of working waterfront heavy-commercial and industrial uses.  However, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, new plans for northern downtown Wilmington and development proposals for western bank properties spurred a new vision for this part of the County. Commercial zoning designation was applied to the Eagle’s Island property south of the Battleship, and the County worked with the City of Wilmington (City) to develop the Riverfront Mixed Use District to allow for uses and form that would mirror the development pattern of downtown Wilmington. This zoning designation was applied to one property on the western bank just south of the Isabel Holmes Bridge. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 BUDGET WORK SESSION AND AGENDA REVIEW, MARCH 16, 2023 PAGE 686  This vision was also incorporated into the 2016 Comprehensive Land Use Plan (Comprehensive Plan), which designated these properties as Urban Mixed Use, the highest intensity designation in the plan, which allows taller structures and a mix of commercial and higher density residential uses.  Based on this context and policy document, developers moved forward with projects for both the Eagle’s Island property and a northern bank property in the fall of 2021.  There had been longstanding public concerns regarding development scale, aesthetics, and historic and cultural impacts of the use of this land due to its high visibility from downtown Wilmington, but through this process additional concerns came to light.  The conditions for these properties had been changing since 2010 as indicated by both the NOAA tide gauge located at the CFMB that had been measuring water levels for decades and by observation, tidal flooding has been increasing in this area at a more accelerated rate than would be anticipated by sea level rise models.  Staff Work to Date:  Last year, the Board held two work sessions to further consider appropriate development scale and uses in this area, one last spring that focused on many of the environmental and cultural issues brought up in citizen comments during the review process for the northern bank development, and one this past summer that reviewed the potential benefits and concerns associated with a spectrum of development policy options.  At the last meeting, the Board directed staff to identify and conduct a technical study that could provide guidance for potential policy updates for this area.  Technical Study Options:  This past fall, the team explored a variety of technical study options related to environmental impacts, likely brownfields status for the western bank properties, and area hydrology.  Staff research found that without site control or a development plan, the types of studies generally undertaken for properties like those on the western bank would not provide much more information beyond what had already been gathered during our work session research.  As has been highlighted in discussions over the past year and a half, technical studies in the development process are generally geared toward determining the impact of a site-specific NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 BUDGET WORK SESSION AND AGENDA REVIEW, MARCH 16, 2023 PAGE 687 proposal; they are not designed to provide policy direction. There is a path forward, however, that is aligned with other work the planning department is currently conducting.  New Hanover County Recovery and Resiliency study:  First, for the past six months, upon the direction of the county manager, a team of staff from the Planning and Land Use, Emergency Management, Engineering, Strategy, Diversity and Equity, Finance, and Soil and Water departments have been engaged in a study regarding the County’s recovery, mitigation, and resiliency efforts.  An equity assessment of past recovery efforts conducted last summer highlighted an opportunity to better coordinate the role each of our departments play in preparing for future disruptive events such as major storms and working toward long term resiliency for the community.  Staff is looking to finalize their report and recommended priorities for ongoing activities and future steps this summer, and one potential long-term study that has been identified during conversations related to the western bank could provide ongoing monitoring of the changing conditions related to riverine flooding that would help identify when there may be a need to reconsider land use policies for areas affected by that risk.  In addition, the western bank discussion is only one of several land use conversations that have been occurring over the past few years that have pointed out the Comprehensive Plan is starting to get some age on it. A lot has happened since the last plan was developed and adopted:  Hurricane Florence and its widespread flooding  Update of the County’s development regulations through the Unified Development Ordinance or UDO Project  COVID pandemic  Loss of NCDOT revenue and delay of major transportation projects  Completion of the affordable housing study and survey  Examples: new work with CFPUA to extend water and sewer in the northern area of the County.  All of this means it is time to start to take another look at the County’s policies for the western bank and for other areas of the County, so staff has begun work in developing the foundational information necessary to support the conversations that would be part of a plan update.  Next Steps:  Foundational Reports, Research, and Presentations:  This foundational work is anticipated to take place over the next year and a half, would be aligned with ongoing projects, such as the Strategic Plan update, the Recovery and Resiliency study, the update to the housing needs assessment that will be presented this spring, and the refined flood studies that were included in the FY23 budget.  Reports will be developed on population and development trends, the current legal framework for development, technical issues such as transportation and other infrastructure, and closer looks at particular areas of the County, such as the western bank, major roadways corridors (like Carolina Beach Road and Market Street), and the Sidbury Road area.  Reports will identify key pieces of information, implications for development, and recommended considerations so all stakeholders who will be involved in plan update conversations have the necessary common baseline of where we are and our options moving forward, even if there are disagreements to be resolved as to next steps.  If directed to proceed:  While staff will not start presenting these reports until the fall after the strategic plan is finalized, the study of the western bank will be expedited and is expected to be finished this summer. NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 BUDGET WORK SESSION AND AGENDA REVIEW, MARCH 16, 2023 PAGE 688  And while the plan update itself will not take place for at least a year to allow for the completion of the reports and to better align it with the WMPO’s long range transportation plan update, the Board will be able to move forward with updating policies for this area right away through the plan amendment process outlined in the UDO, since staff does anticipate recommending that the intensity and scale currently outlined for this area in the plan be reduced.  The process for amending the Comprehensive Plan is similar to that for amending the development code.  Once the report is complete, it will be presented to this Board and the Planning Board. If immediate policy changes are recommended and the Board desires to proceed, staff will develop a draft plan amendment, release it for public comment and review, and public hearings will be held at the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners meetings for inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan.  Anticipated report components:  Identification of recommended uses: no residential use, limited non-residential uses, and public and civic uses  Development form guidelines rescale and design  Additional information and studies required for development proposals  Comprehensive Plan amendment recommendations  Recommended UDO updates  Triggers for future policy reconsideration Ms. Roth concluded the presentation stating that staff is looking for Board direction on whether to proceed with this path forward. If the Board would like to proceed, the study and plan amendment process should be complete this fall and any subsequent code amendments by early 2024. Discussion ensued regarding the potential of acquiring the land on the western bank of the Cape Fear River and using it for ecotourism, like what the County did with Airlie Gardens. County Manager Coudriet stated that Unique Places to Save tried to acquire the land and received several acres under contract but was unable to secure funding for the purchase. It was never clear how much if any, Unique Places to Save would have expected from the County and the City on the New Hanover County side or what they would have expected from the Town of Leland or Brunswick County on the Brunswick County side. There is an Eagle Island Coalition that has a vision for an ecotourism destination in that area. Discussion ensued regarding the parcels on the western bank. There are a small number of parcels that are privately owned that fall into the County’s jurisdiction. What many see as the need for conservation is in Brunswick County or is already under the control of the Soil and Water Conservation District. Ms. Roth confirmed that there are about eight property owners in the New Hanover County jurisdiction. The zoning applied to those properties except for the parcel just south of the IHB is industrial so there are still permitted uses for the area. If someone would want to rezone any of those properties, they may have to wait to find out what happens with the policy conversations before moving forward. County Manager Coudriet stated that if an applicant did come forward, staff would either recommend denial, a continuance, or encourage the applicant to hold off until the policy discussions are completed. As to the future land use map, Ms. Roth confirmed that south of the IHB was recommended to be Urban Mixed Use which is the highest intensity use and everything north of the IHB was recommended as Commerce zoning which is basically industrial except for conservation areas along the river. In response to Board questions regarding next steps, Ms. Roth stated that any change in regulations would be implemented in early 2024. Staff anticipates providing the Board with a report with their recommendations this summer which would allow the Board to move forward with making those policy changes this fall. One of the challenges is that there are not currently any zoning districts that have the mix of uses that is being looked at in the subject area. Ms. Roth explained the potential for the Board to apply an overlay district to the area which would have additional standards placed so that the private development owner may be able to choose the zoning district. However, there will be guidelines and safeguards in place for scale, intensity, and information necessary if they were to pursue a particular development proposal or use. Discussion ensued regarding the condition of the properties on the western side of the Cape Fear River. Brownfields cleanup is the responsibility of the property owner. If the properties are not kept up from a litter, hazardous materials, or trash, the County can step in from a public health standpoint. Based on Board discussion, staff will proceed with the study and plan amendment process. Chair Rivenbark thanked Ms. Roth for the update. Update on the Chamber’s Branding Study. Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Natalie English and Chief Branding and Engagement Officer Megan Mullins provided the following update: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 BUDGET WORK SESSION AND AGENDA REVIEW, MARCH 16, 2023 PAGE 689  Update on the Wilmington Chamber’s Community Talent Brand: Target Market Identification and Talent Research:  New Hanover County Economic Mobility 2022:  Goals: increase tax base, align target business sectors to existing economic conditions, and promote higher wage jobs while regrowing middle income opportunities  Key findings/analysis:  Unbalanced economy:  Workers and wages concentrated in higher and lower levels, the manufacturing middle has decreased  Need to re-create the upward economic mobility pathway for entry and lower level wage workers  Growing but aging population: need to develop the younger future workforce  COVID-related work disruptions created new opportunities:  Remote working has boosted population growth  The great resignation resulted in many new businesses created  Supply chain disruption reshoring  Limited land for long term industrial and commercial development: must identify and protect  Primary assets: Wilmington port, mid-Atlantic location, quality of life, Screen Gems and film workforce, regional raw materials, and infrastructure such as the electrical capacity and grid  Support assets: small metropolitan statistical area (MSA), small hub airport, UNCW and CFCC, natural gas availability, innovation network, transportation network, and low tax rates  Limitations: lack of available sites and buildings, CFMB replacement, need to expand utilities to available sites, difficulty recruiting and maintaining younger workers and engineers, aging population, and coastal limitations  Process overview:  Development Counselors International (DCl)'s step-by-step process as illustrated in the diagram below and has been successful in producing authentic, believable, and distinctive brands and best-in-class websites for communities across the country  Research and discovery overview:  Four focus groups: community stakeholders, major employers, recent transplants, and small businesses and entrepreneurs  One perception study: an online survey of working age talent in five "best bet" target talent markets to establish benchmark perceptions of Wilmington and talent's "path to purchase for jobs and locations  One target market identification  1,606 people reached: 1,550 survey respondents and 56 focus group participants  Focus groups:  Wilmington was described as dynamic:  Wilmington area focus group highlights:  Major employers, community stakeholders, small business owners, young professionals, and remote workers  46% of participants rated Wilmington as a very positive place to live  76.7% of participants rated hospitality and tourism as the industry most associated with Wilmington  52.7% of participants see outdoor recreation as the region’s best asset  39.5% of participants rated the perception of job opportunities as Wilmington’s biggest challenge  Target market identification: NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 BUDGET WORK SESSION AND AGENDA REVIEW, MARCH 16, 2023 PAGE 690  Recommended target markets: Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and the Washington-Baltimore CSA  Perceptions of the Wilmington, NC region:  Level of familiarity with the Wilmington region:  Recognition of the Wilmington region on a map:  Perceptions of the Wilmington region as a place to...  Top associations with the Wilmington region (live):  Top associations with the Wilmington region (work):  Interest in relocating to the Wilmington region by state:  Profile of talent interested in relocating to the Wilmington region:  72% are familiar with the Wilmington region  62% have managerial/executive professional/technical job functions  78% live with a spouse/partner and/or children  57% have a bachelor’s degree or higher  Firsthand experience, internet research and media coverage strongly influence perceptions  For job and career information, company website, employment/staffing agencies, and postings on national/local job boards are relied on NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 35 BUDGET WORK SESSION AND AGENDA REVIEW, MARCH 16, 2023 PAGE 691  Wilmington Chamber talent brand taskforce: Corning, GE Aviation, GE Hitachi, Greater Wilmington Business Journal, Live Oak Bank, MegaCorp Logistics, nCino, New Hanover County, Novant Health, ThermoFisher Scientific, Vantaca, and Wilmington Health Ms. Mullens concluded the presentation stating that phase one of the project (website completion) should wrap up in October or November. At that time, Chamber staff will start talking to the Board about what phase two of the project looks like and how to work with corporate employment partners to help get people in the target communities to see why the Wilmington region is a place they may want to live and work. Chair Rivenbark thanked Ms. English and Ms. Mullins for the presentation. CLOSED SESSION Chair Rivenbark stated that a Closed Session is needed pursuant to North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 143-318.11(a)(5) to instruct the public body’s staff concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in a real property matter. Motion: Commissioner Barfield MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Zapple to enter into a Closed Session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5) to instruct the public body’s staff concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in a real property matter. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Chair Rivenbark convened to Closed Session at 5:03 p.m. and stated that all persons not Board members or specifically designated staff were to leave the meeting room. CONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION Chair Rivenbark called the meeting back to order at 5:22 p.m. and reported that pursuant to NCGS 143- 318.11(a)(5) the Board concluded its instruction to the public body’s staff concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the public body in a real property matter. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Chair Rivenbark adjourned the meeting at 5:22 p.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.