HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-21 RM ExhibitsBook Ab�LPaqe
WHEREAS, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners and the New Hanover County Commission
on African American History, Heritage, and Culture affirm that all people, regardless of their racial, ethnic
group identification, skin color, or physical traits, deserve an equal opportunity to experience well-being
in a just society,and are committed to building communities where all can reach their full potential and
thrive; and
WHEREAS, all individuals have the right tosafety, dkgnity, and humanity, and must beprovided with every
opportunity to grow, learn, and flourish in a nurturing environment; and
WHEREAS, every individual possesses the ability to learn, grow and change, and build communities of
accountability, care, and collective action; and
WHEREAS, if everyone dedicates themselves toaprocess that brings individuals and communities to
wholeness, repairs the damage caused by racism, and affirms the inherent value of all people, everyone
can bring about the necessary changes in thinking and behavior that will propel this great country forward
as a society where everyone belongs; and
WHEREAS, racial healing bavital and crucial commitment tothe educational, social, mental, and overall
well-being of everyone; and
WHEREAS, New Hanover County recognizes the Tuesday after Martin Luther King Jr. Day as the 'National
Day ofRacial HeaUno andenuouragesaUdtioenstofosterroda|heaUngandodlec1ivetransfommadonto
enhance the quality of life for everyone.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, that
Tuesday, January 21, 2025, be proclaimed as the "National Day of Racial Healing."
ADOPTED this the 21stday ofJanuary 2025.
NEW HANOVER0OUN
ATTEST:
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, several legislative priorities have been identified by the Board that are important to the citizens of
New Hanover County; and
WHEREAS, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners (Board) will advance these legislative priorities
through dialogue and, as appropriate, at the annual legislative conferences of the N.C. Association of County
Commissioners (NCACC) and National Association of Counties (NACo); and
WHEREAS, none of the legislative priorities are in conflict with NCACC or NACo priorities; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports the state identifying a recurring source of funding for the beach nourishment
fund created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2018 to support ongoing coastal storm damage
reduction (CSDR) projects. New Hanover County, and other coastal communities, can best plan and prioritize
local budget needs with dedicated, annual allocations of state support those communities can use for planning
current or future projects. The Board further finds that protecting coastal infrastructure provides a benefit to
the entire state of North Carolina, as public or private interests from nearly every North Carolina county own
coastal property. The Board further supports continued federal and state funding of Congressionally approved
CSDR projects for Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports the commitment of necessary federal and state resources to fund the
replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. The bridge was built in 1969 and its age and ongoing
maintenance expenses are inadequate to meet future growth; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports legislation or action to hold polluters financially responsible for cleanup and
remediation of perfluorinated chemicals (PFOA and PFOS) and other emerging contaminants in drinking water.
The Board further supports the state and federal governments enforcing formal standards to ensure drinking
water quality and state and federal resources to support infrastructure investments, including the replacement
of the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority southside wastewater treatment plant; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports administrative and legislative changes to federal agencies and regulations,
including but not limited to, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Housing and
Urban Development Administration (HUD), that would accelerate the flow of aid to local governments to
respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. The Board finds that timely disbursement of federal aid
would accelerate the recovery process, provide rapid stabilization and bolster future resiliency; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports recurring and increased funding for the state's film grant program to continue
attracting film projects that move rapidly and consider numerous locations for productions. The film industry
supports nearly 1,000 local jobs and is a significant contributor to the county's economy. The Board further
encourages legislative efforts and opportunities to improve or expand the program; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports state and federal resources dedicated to addressing gaps in affordable and
workforce housing, as well as increased flexibility, without unfunded mandates, for local governments to
encourage and support affordable and workforce housing; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports a statewide school capital commitment at the earliest possible time. New
Hanover County and its school system have identified more than $550 million of school construction and
maintenance needs over the next several years. The taxpayers of the county are best served if the state
authorizes a statewide school capital commitment with a fair share allocated to New Hanover County schools
to aid in its real and pronounced school construction needs; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports the state returning to the original Education Lottery formula that set aside 40
percent for capital needs. The state currently caps the amount of lottery funds that go toward the Public School
Building Capital Fund at $100 million annually. Returning to the originally conceived formula would net almost
$400 million for critical school infrastructure needs; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports increased federal and state funding to address mental health and substance use
disorder support and treatment; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports state and federal investments and actions to preserve the West Bank of New
Hanover County as conservation land, recognizing that preservation of its natural landscape would mitigate
flooding risks brought by development; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports the state reinstating financial support for drug treatment and specialty courts.
The county has operated a drug treatment court successfully since the state withdrew funding for treatment
courts in 2011 by fully funding, at an expense of more than $1.5 million, and staffing a drug treatment and DWI
court for county residents. Treatment courts are an extension of the judicial system, and the state has the
primary duty to fund the court system and its associated services; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports fair and equitable funding through the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT)
for infrastructure to support New Hanover County's transportation needs as the county continues to rapidly
grow. The Board finds that appropriate DOT support, and developing additional and alternative revenue
sources beyond fuel taxes, will help provide the necessary infrastructure to accommodate an increasing
population and address the Board's priorities to encourage an increased stock of affordable and workplace
housing; and
WHEREAS, the Board supports state funding and policy initiatives to identify, repair and bring into the North
Carolina DOT system orphan roads that were built by developers but have fallen into disrepair.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners considers these,
among others, as important priorities for representatives at the state and federal level to address in 2025 and
2026.
ADOPTED, this the 21s' day of January, 2025.
NEW HANOVER COU
illiam E. Rivenbark, Chair
ATTEST:
%a' Kyri berleigh G. Cr ell, Clerk to the Board