HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOCC Agenda 05.18.2026MAY 18, 2026 9:00 AM
LO CAT ION (NHC Historic Courthouse, 24 North 3rd Street, Room 301)
C ALL TO OR DER (Chair LeAnn Pierce)
I NVOCATI ON (Imam Abdul Rahman Shareef, Tauheed Islamic Center of Wilmington)
PLE DGE OF ALLE GI ANCE (Vice Chair Dane Scalise)
APPR OV AL OF C ON SENT AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS
1. Approval of Minutes
2. Adop5on of Resolu5on to Direct the Expenditure of Opioid Se7lement Funds
for Fiscal Year 2026-27
3. Adop5on of Budget Amendments
4. Approval of the Bid Award for the North College Road Mul5use Trail
Construc5on
ESTIMATED
MINUTES REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS
10 5. Presenta5on of Service Awards and Introduc5on of New Employees
5 6. Considera5on of Introduc5on of Bond Order and Resolu5on to Set a Public
Hearing Date for General Obliga5on Bonds for Capital Needs of the New
Hanover County Schools
15 7. Fiscal Year 2025-2026 - Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended March 31,
2026 Presenta5on
20 8.Public Hearing on the FY2026-2027 Recommended Budget, including Economic
Development Appropria5ons
5 9. Commi7ee Appointments
PUBLIC CO MMENTS (limit three minutes)
ESTIMATED
MINUTES ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
10.Addi5onal Items
County Commissioners
County A7orney
Clerk to the Board
County Manager
11.ADJOURN
Note: Minutes listed for each item are es%mated, and if a preceding item takes less 5me, the Board will move
forward un5l the agenda is completed.
Mission
New Hanover County is commi7ed to providing equitable opportuni5es and excep5onal public services through
good governance to ensure a safe, healthy, secure and thriving community for all.
Vision
A vibrant, prosperous, diverse coastal community
commi7ed to building a sustainable future for genera5ons to come.
Shared Values
Professionalism - Equity - Integrity - Innova5on - Stewardship - Accountability
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: 5/18/2026
Consent
DEPARTMENT: Governing Body PRESENTER(S): Kym Crowell, Clerk to the Board
CONTACT(S): Kym Crowell
SUBJECT:
Approval of Minutes
BRIEF SUMMARY:
Approve minutes from the following mee ngs:
Agenda Review held on April 30, 2026
Closed Session held on April 30, 2026
Budget Work Session held on April 30, 2026
Regular Mee ng held on May 4, 2026
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
Good Governance
Effec ve County Management
Increase transparency and awareness about county ac ons
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Approve minutes.
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Recommend approval.
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 1
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: 5/18/2026
Consent
DEPARTMENT: Strategy PRESENTER(S): Eliza Baldwin, Strategy Manager
CONTACT(S): Eric Credle, Chief Financial Officer, Jennifer Rigby, Chief Strategy Officer, Jordan Smith, County
A"orney
SUBJECT:
Adop%on of Resolu%on to Direct the Expenditure of Opioid Se2lement Funds for Fiscal Year 2026-27
BRIEF SUMMARY:
As has been previously communicated to the Board of Commissioners, New Hanover County is the party to a na'onal
opioid se"lement with a subset of major pharmaceu'cal distributors, manufacturers, and pharmacies. The county is
expec'ng to receive not less than $36,425,074 over 18 years.
The spending of these funds is governed by both a Memorandum of Agreement with the state, as well as statutory
budge'ng requirements. The Memorandum of Agreement requires the adop'on of a budget item or a resolu'on when
any strategies are added or updated. Further guidance from the North Carolina A"orney General’s Office and the
School of Government recommends that to ensure compliance, communi'es should adopt both a budget item and a
resolu'on, with the resolu'on containing addi'onal detail of the adopted strategies. Accordingly, the a"ached
resolu'on provides addi'onal details, and has been updated from the prior resolu'on passed by the board in 2025.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
Community Safety & Well-being
The community supports a life that mi'gates health and safety risks
Effec'vely and efficiently respond to public health and safety demands.
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Adopt the resolu'on
ATTACHMENTS:
Descrip'on
FY26-27 Opioid Local Spending Authorization Resolution
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Recommend approval.
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE EXPENDITURE OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS
WHEREAS New Hanover County has joined national settlement agreements with companies engaged in
the manufacturing, distribution, and dispensing of opioids; and
WHEREAS the allocation, use, and reporting of funds stemming from these national settlement
agreements and bankruptcy resolutions (“Opioid Settlement Funds”) are governed by the Memorandum
of Agreement Between the State of North Carolina and Local Governments on Proceeds Relating to the
Settlement of Opioid Litigation (“MOA”) and the Supplemental Agreement for Additional Funds from
Additional Settlements of Opioid Litigation (“SAAF”), SAAF-2, and SAAF-3; and
WHEREAS New Hanover County has received Opioid Settlement Funds pursuant to these national
settlement agreements and deposited the Opioid Settlement Funds in a separate special revenue fund as
required by section D of the MOA; and
WHEREAS section E.6 of the MOA states that, before spending opioid settlement funds, the local
government’s governing body must adopt a resolution that:
(i) indicates that it is an authorization for expenditure of opioid settlement funds; and,
(ii) states the specific strategy or strategies the county or municipality intends to fund
pursuant to Option A or Option B, using the item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or
Exhibit B to identify each funded strategy; and,
(iii) states the amount dedicated to each strategy for a specific period of time.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, in alignment with the NC MOA and SAAF, SAAF-2, and SAAF-3 the
New Hanover County Board of Commissioners authorizes the expenditure of opioid settlement funds as
follows, and which supersedes prior resolutions:
1. First strategy authorized:
a. Name of strategy: Withdrawal management services.
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit B
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: A7
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $1,100,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date July 1, 2024, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: This will enhance patient retention in MOUD
treatment, prevent relapse, and improve management of withdrawal symptoms for
providers.
g. Provider: Coastal Horizons and OpiAID
2. Second strategy authorized:
a. Name of strategy: Address the needs of pregnant or parenting women and their families,
including babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit B
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: E1
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $1,780,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date July 1, 2024, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: Tides, Inc. provides preventative treatment
and support services for women with OUD while pregnant, so they can give birth to a healthy
baby, learn critical parenting and life skills, and retain custody of the child.
g. Provider: Tides, Inc.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 1
3. Third strategy authorized:
a. Name of strategy: Recovery support services
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit A
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item 3
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $4,745,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date July 1, 2024, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: Provides low barrier non-medical detox,
residential drug services, and transitional recovery housing for individuals with OUD.
g. Provider: The Healing Place
4. Fourth strategy authorized:
a. Name of strategy: Evidence-based addiction treatment
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit A
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item 2
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $652,727
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date July 1, 2024, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: To increase access to evidence-based
treatment by ensuring timely access to treatment, assist with outreach/engagement for new
and hard-to-reach patients; provide naloxone supplies for existing patients and community
members; support for cost of suboxone for patients who need assistance.
g. Provider: MedNorth
5. Fifth strategy authorized:
a. Name of strategy: Evidence-based addiction treatment
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit A
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item 2
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $640,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date July 1, 2024, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: This initiative will deliver treatment services
for New Hanover County residents diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD) at Recovery
Unplugged facilities. Treatment options may include, but are not limited to, a 30-day
detoxification and residential program, or a detoxification and residential program lasting
three to six months. Treatment options are evidence-based and consistent with American
Society of Addiction Medicine’s national practice guidelines, including Medication-Assisted
Treatment (MAT).
g. Provider: Recovery Unplugged/Face the Music
6. Sixth strategy authorized:
a. Name of strategy: Collaborative strategic planning
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit A
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item 1
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $443,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date July 1, 2024, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: Staffing and operational activities that
support the implementation of strategic initiatives from the proposal phase to the data
collection and reporting phase of the initiative, as well as collaborative strategic planning
efforts. Activities also include facilitation of services and any combination of activities listed
in Exhibit C to the MOA.
g. Provider: New Hanover County Office of Strategy
7. Seventh strategy authorized:
a. Name of strategy: Addiction treatment for incarcerated persons
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit A
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item 11
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $1,301,726 Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 2
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date August 21, 2023, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: Currently, we are providing Medication-
Assisted Treatment for individuals already on MAT in the detention facility. This is the second
phase, that allows for inmates to choose to begin MAT treatment plan through an induction
process in detention facilities.
g. Providers: Coastal Horizons
8. Eighth authorized strategy:
a. Name of strategy: Expand availability of treatment for OUD.
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit A
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item 8
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $1,688,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date August 21, 2023, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: The EMS MAT Program offers an individual
the opportunity to begin a Medication Assisted Treatment 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 OUD treatment.
g. Providers: Novant Health
9. Ninth authorized strategy:
a. Name of strategy: Increase availability and distribution of naloxone and other drugs that treat
overdoses for first responders, overdose, patients, individuals with OUD, etc.
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit B
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item H1
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $100,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date August 21, 2023, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: Naloxone is a medication approved by the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. This will
increase the amount of naloxone by 200 units/year.
g. Provider: New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office
10. Tenth authorized strategy:
a. Name of strategy: Increase availability and distribution of naloxone and other drugs that treat
overdoses for first responders, overdose, patients, individuals with OUD, etc.
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit B
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item H1
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $80,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date August 21, 2023, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: Naloxone is a medication approved by the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose.
g. Provider: City of Wilmington Police Department, City of Wilmington Fire Department
11. Eleventh authorized strategy:
a. Name of strategy: Employment-related services
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit A
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item 5
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $208,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date August 21, 2023, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: Program offers employment support services
to people with opioid use disorder in treatment or recovery such as job training, job skills, job
placement, interview coaching, resume 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.
g. Provider: LINC Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 3
12. Twelfth authorized strategy:
a. Name of strategy: Recovery housing support
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit A
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item 4
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $965,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date August 21, 2023, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: The Housing Supportive Services program is
intended to ensure residents who are recovering from opioid addiction can find and secure
safe and affordable housing. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, short-term
recovery housing characterized by living settings that promote opioid free living for up to one
(1) year and utilizes peer support and other addiction recovery aids. Eligible activities may
provide professional low-intensity residential services for adults who are diagnosed with an
opioid use disorder and require regular supervision.
g. Providers: Coastal Horizons
13. Thirteenth authorized strategy
a. Name of strategy: Comprehensive wrap-around services.
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit B
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item B1
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $875,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date August 21, 2023, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: 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 housing, childcare,
transportation, job training or getting needed education.
g. Provider: Various providers
14. Fourteenth authorized strategy
a. Name of strategy: Full continuum of care of treatment and recovery services.
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit B
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item B2
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $225,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date August 21, 2023, through End date June 30, 2026
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: Continuum of care services are any services
that are not treatment, but instead are services that help individuals get into treatment, stay
in recovery, or prevent opioid use. Examples include continuum of care through peer support,
counseling, case management, etc.
g. Provider: Various providers
15. Fifteenth authorized strategy:
a. Name of strategy: Expand availability of treatment for OUD.
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit A
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item 2
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $1,111,297
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date August 21, 2023, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: Provides funding for medically assisted
treatment and associated therapy for underinsured and uninsured patients who cannot
afford them to reduce unnecessary trips to the Emergency Department and reduce
overdoses.
g. Provider: Coastal Horizons
16. Sixteenth authorized strategy:
a. Name of strategy: Fund media campaigns to prevent opioid misuse
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit B
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item G1 Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 4
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $125,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date August 21, 2023, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: Public service announcements and media
campaigns about opioid use prevention.
g. Provider: Eckel + Vaughn
17. Seventeenth authorized strategy:
a. Name of strategy: Corrective advertising or affirmative public education campaigns based on
evidence.
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit B
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item G2
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $100,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date August 21, 2023, through End date June 30, 2028
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: Education and outreach programs related to
opioid use disorder.
g. Provider: Eckel + Vaughn
18. Eighteenth authorized strategy:
a. Name of strategy: Post-overdose response team.
b. Strategy is included in Exhibit A
c. Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA: Item 8
d. Amount authorized for this strategy: $250,000
e. Period of time during which expenditure may take place:
Start date July 1, 2026, through End date June 30, 2027
f. Description of the program, project, or activity: Support post-overdose response teams that
connect persons who have experienced non-fatal drug overdoses to addiction treatment,
recovery support, harm reduction services, primary healthcare, or other services or supports
they need to improve their health or well-being.
g. Provider: City of Wilmington Fire Department
The total dollar amount of Opioid Settlement Funds appropriated across the above named and authorized
strategies is $16,389,750.
ADOPTED this 18th day of May, 2026.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
__________________________________________
LeAnn Pierce, Chair
ATTEST:
__________________________________________
Kymberleigh G. Crowell, Clerk to the Board
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 5
Exhibits, page 1
EXHIBIT A TO NC MOA:
HIGH-IMPACT OPIOID ABATEMENT STRATEGIES (“OPTION A” List)
In keeping with the National Settlement Agreement, opioid settlement funds may support
programs or services listed below that serve persons with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) or any
co-occurring Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or mental health condition.
As used in this list, the words “fund” and “support” are used interchangeably and mean to
create, expand, or sustain a program, service, or activity.
1. Collaborative strategic planning. Support collaborative strategic planning to address
opioid misuse, addiction, overdose, or related issues, including staff support, facilitation
services, or any activity or combination of activities listed in Exhibit C to the MOA
(collaborative strategic planning).
2. Evidence-based addiction treatment. Support evidence-based addiction treatment
consistent with the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s national practice
guidelines for the treatment of opioid use disorder – including Medication-Assisted
Treatment (MAT) with any medication approved for this purpose by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration – through Opioid Treatment Programs, qualified providers of
Office-Based Opioid Treatment, Federally Qualified Health Centers, treatment offered in
conjunction with justice system programs, or other community-based programs offering
evidence-based addiction treatment. This may include capital expenditures for facilities
that offer evidence-based treatment for OUD. (If only a portion of a facility offers such
treatment, then only that portion qualifies for funding, on a pro rata basis.)
3. Recovery support services. Fund evidence-based recovery support services, including
peer support specialists or care navigators based in local health departments, social
service offices, detention facilities, community-based organizations, or other settings that
support people in treatment or recovery, or people who use drugs, in accessing addiction
treatment, recovery support, harm reduction services, primary healthcare, or other
services or supports they need to improve their health or well-being.
4. Recovery housing support. Fund programs offering recovery housing support to people
in treatment or recovery, or people who use drugs, such as assistance with rent, move-in
deposits, or utilities; or fund recovery housing programs that provide housing to
individuals receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorder.
5. Employment-related services. Fund programs offering employment support services to
people in treatment or recovery, or people who use drugs, such as job training, job skills,
job placement, interview coaching, resume 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.
6. Early intervention. Fund programs, services, or training to encourage early
identification and intervention for children or adolescents who may be struggling with
problematic use of drugs or mental health conditions, including Youth Mental Health
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 6
Exhibits, page 2
First Aid, peer-based programs, or similar approaches. Training programs may target
parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health or
human services professionals, or others in contact with children or adolescents.
7. Naloxone distribution. Support programs or organizations that distribute naloxone to
persons at risk of overdose or their social networks, such as Syringe Service Programs,
post-overdose response teams, programs that provide naloxone to persons upon release
from jail or prison, emergency medical service providers or hospital emergency
departments that provide naloxone to persons at risk of overdose, or community-based
organizations that provide services to people who use drugs. Programs or organizations
involved in community distribution of naloxone may, in addition, provide naloxone to
first responders.
8. Post-overdose response team. Support post-overdose response teams that connect
persons who have experienced non-fatal drug overdoses to addiction treatment, recovery
support, harm reduction services, primary healthcare, or other services or supports they
need to improve their health or well-being.
9. Syringe Service Program. Support Syringe Service Programs operated by any
governmental or nongovernmental organization authorized by section 90-113.27 of the
North Carolina General Statutes that provide syringes, naloxone, or other harm reduction
supplies; that dispose of used syringes; that connect clients to prevention, treatment,
recovery support, behavioral healthcare, primary healthcare, or other services or supports
they need; or that provide any of these services or supports.
10. Criminal justice diversion programs. Support pre-arrest or post-arrest diversion
programs, or pre-trial service programs, that connect individuals involved or at risk of
becoming involved in the criminal justice system to addiction treatment, recovery
support, harm reduction services, primary healthcare, prevention, or other services or
supports they need, or that provide any of these services or supports.
11. Addiction treatment for incarcerated persons. Support evidence-based addiction
treatment, including Medication-Assisted Treatment with at least one FDA-approved
opioid agonist, to persons who are incarcerated in jail or prison.
12. Reentry Programs. Support programs that connect incarcerated persons to addiction
treatment, recovery support, harm reduction services, primary healthcare, or other
services or supports they need upon release from jail or prison, or that provide any of
these services or supports.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 7
Exhibits, page 3
EXHIBIT B TO NC MOA:
Additional Opioid Remediation Activities (“OPTION B” List)
This list shall be automatically updated to match the list of approved strategies in the most
recent National Settlement Agreement.
PART ONE: TREATMENT
A. TREAT OPIOID USE DISORDER (OUD)
Support treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and any co-occurring Substance Use Disorder
or Mental Health (SUD/MH) conditions through evidence-based or evidence-informed programs
or strategies that may include, but are not limited to, the following:1
1. Expand availability of treatment for OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions, including
all forms of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration.
2. Support and reimburse evidence-based services that adhere to the American Society of
Addiction Medicine (ASAM) continuum of care for OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH
conditions.
3. Expand telehealth to increase access to treatment for OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH
conditions, including MAT, as well as counseling, psychiatric support, and other treatment and
recovery support services.
4. Improve oversight of Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) to assure evidence-based or evidence-
informed practices such as adequate methadone dosing and low threshold approaches to treatment.
5. Support mobile intervention, treatment, and recovery services, offered by qualified professionals
and service providers, such as peer recovery coaches, for persons with OUD and any co-occurring
SUD/MH conditions and for persons who have experienced an opioid overdose.
6. Treatment of trauma for individuals with OUD (e.g., violence, sexual assault, human trafficking,
or adverse childhood experiences) and family members (e.g., surviving family members after an
overdose or overdose fatality), and training of health care personnel to identify and address such
trauma.
7. Support evidence-based withdrawal management services for people with OUD and any co-
occurring mental health conditions.
1 As used in this Exhibit B, words like “expand,” “fund,” “provide” or the like shall not indicate a preference
for new or existing programs.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 8
Exhibits, page 4
8. Training on MAT for health care providers, first responders, students, or other supporting
professionals, such as peer recovery coaches or recovery outreach specialists, including
telementoring to assist community-based providers in rural or underserved areas.
9. Support workforce development for addiction professionals who work with persons with OUD
and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions.
10. Fellowships for addiction medicine specialists for direct patient care, instructors, and clinical
research for treatments.
11. Scholarships and supports for behavioral health practitioners or workers involved in addressing
OUD and any co-occurring SUD or mental health conditions, including but not limited to training,
scholarships, fellowships, loan repayment programs, or other incentives for providers to work in
rural or underserved areas.
12. Provide funding and training for clinicians to obtain a waiver under the federal Drug Addiction
Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) to prescribe MAT for OUD, and provide technical assistance
and professional support to clinicians who have obtained a DATA 2000 waiver.
13. Dissemination of web-based training curricula, such as the American Academy of Addiction
Psychiatry’s Provider Clinical Support Service-Opioids web-based training curriculum and
motivational interviewing.
14. Development and dissemination of new curricula, such as the American Academy of Addiction
Psychiatry’s Provider Clinical Support Service for Medication-Assisted Treatment.
B. SUPPORT PEOPLE IN TREATMENT AND RECOVERY
Support people in treatment for or recovery from OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions
through evidence-based or evidence-informed programs or strategies that may include, but are not
limited to, the following:
1. Provide comprehensive wrap-around services to individuals with OUD and any co-occurring
SUD/MH conditions, including housing, transportation, education, job placement, job training, or
childcare.
2. Provide the full continuum of care of treatment and recovery services for OUD and any co-
occurring SUD/MH conditions, including supportive housing, peer support services and
counseling, community navigators, case management, and connections to community-based
services.
3. Provide counseling, peer-support, recovery case management and residential treatment with
access to medications for those who need it to persons with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH
conditions.
4. Provide access to housing for people with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions,
including supportive housing, recovery housing, housing assistance programs, training for housing
providers, or recovery housing programs that allow or integrate FDA-approved medication with
other support services.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 9
Exhibits, page 5
5. Provide community support services, including social and legal services, to assist in
deinstitutionalizing persons with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions.
6. Support or expand peer-recovery centers, which may include support groups, social events,
computer access, or other services for persons with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH
conditions.
7. Provide or support transportation to treatment or recovery programs or services for persons with
OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions.
8. Provide employment training or educational services for persons in treatment for or recovery
from OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions.
9. Identify successful recovery programs such as physician, pilot, and college recovery programs,
and provide support and technical assistance to increase the number and capacity of high-quality
programs to help those in recovery.
10. Engage non-profits, faith-based communities, and community coalitions to support people in
treatment and recovery and to support family members in their efforts to support the person with
OUD in the family.
11. Training and development of procedures for government staff to appropriately interact and
provide social and other services to individuals with or in recovery from OUD, including reducing
stigma.
12. Support stigma reduction efforts regarding treatment and support for persons with OUD,
including reducing the stigma on effective treatment.
13. Create or support culturally appropriate services and programs for persons with OUD and any
co-occurring SUD/MH conditions, including new Americans.
14. Create and/or support recovery high schools.
15. Hire or train behavioral health workers to provide or expand any of the services or supports
listed above.
C. CONNECT PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP TO THE HELP THEY NEED
(CONNECTIONS TO CARE)
Provide connections to care for people who have – or at risk of developing – OUD and any co-
occurring SUD/MH conditions through evidence-based or evidence-informed programs or
strategies that may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Ensure that health care providers are screening for OUD and other risk factors and know how
to appropriately counsel and treat (or refer if necessary) a patient for OUD treatment.
2. Fund Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) programs to reduce the
transition from use to disorders, including SBIRT services to pregnant women who are uninsured
or not eligible for Medicaid.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 10
Exhibits, page 6
3. Provide training and long-term implementation of SBIRT in key systems (health, schools,
colleges, criminal justice, and probation), with a focus on youth and young adults when transition
from misuse to opioid disorder is common.
4. Purchase automated versions of SBIRT and support ongoing costs of the technology.
5. Expand services such as navigators and on-call teams to begin MAT in hospital emergency
departments.
6. Training for emergency room personnel treating opioid overdose patients on post-discharge
planning, including community referrals for MAT, recovery case management or support services.
7. Support hospital programs that transition persons with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH
conditions, or persons who have experienced an opioid overdose, into clinically-appropriate
follow-up care through a bridge clinic or similar approach.
8. Support crisis stabilization centers that serve as an alternative to hospital emergency
departments for persons with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions or persons that have
experienced an opioid overdose.
9. Support the work of Emergency Medical Systems, including peer support specialists, to connect
individuals to treatment or other appropriate services following an opioid overdose or other opioid-
related adverse event.
10. Provide funding for peer support specialists or recovery coaches in emergency departments,
detox facilities, recovery centers, recovery housing, or similar settings; offer services, supports, or
connections to care to persons with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions or to persons
who have experienced an opioid overdose.
11. Expand warm hand-off services to transition to recovery services.
12. Create or support school-based contacts that parents can engage with to seek immediate
treatment services for their child; and support prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery
programs focused on young people.
13. Develop and support best practices on addressing OUD in the workplace.
14. Support assistance programs for health care providers with OUD.
15. Engage non-profits and the faith community as a system to support outreach for treatment.
16. Support centralized call centers that provide information and connections to appropriate
services and supports for persons with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions.
D. ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF CRIMINAL-JUSTICE-INVOLVED PERSONS
Address the needs of persons with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions who are
involved in, are at risk of becoming involved in, or are transitioning out of the criminal justice
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 11
Exhibits, page 7
system through evidence-based or evidence-informed programs or strategies that may include, but
are not limited to, the following:
1. Support pre-arrest or pre-arraignment diversion and deflection strategies for persons with OUD
and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions, including established strategies such as:
a. Self-referral strategies such as the Angel Programs or the Police Assisted Addiction
Recovery Initiative (PAARI);
b. Active outreach strategies such as the Drug Abuse Response Team (DART) model;
c. “Naloxone Plus” strategies, which work to ensure that individuals who have received
naloxone to reverse the effects of an overdose are then linked to treatment programs or
other appropriate services;
d. Officer prevention strategies, such as the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)
model;
e. Officer intervention strategies such as the Leon County, Florida Adult Civil Citation
Network or the Chicago Westside Narcotics Diversion to Treatment Initiative; or
f. Co-responder and/or alternative responder models to address OUD-related 911 calls with
greater SUD expertise.
2. Support pre-trial services that connect individuals with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH
conditions to evidence-informed treatment, including MAT, and related services.
3. Support treatment and recovery courts that provide evidence-based options for persons with
OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions.
4. Provide evidence-informed treatment, including MAT, recovery support, harm reduction, or
other appropriate services to individuals with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions
who are incarcerated in jail or prison.
5. Provide evidence-informed treatment, including MAT, recovery support, harm reduction, or
other appropriate services to individuals with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions
who are leaving jail or prison, have recently left jail or prison, are on probation or parole, are under
community corrections supervision, or are in re-entry programs or facilities.
6. Support critical time interventions (CTI), particularly for individuals living with dual-diagnosis
OUD/serious mental illness, and services for individuals who face immediate risks and service
needs and risks upon release from correctional settings.
7. Provide training on best practices for addressing the needs of criminal-justice-involved persons
with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions to law enforcement, correctional, or judicial
personnel or to providers of treatment, recovery, harm reduction, case management, or other
services offered in connection with any of the strategies described in this section.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 12
Exhibits, page 8
E. ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF PREGNANT OR PARENTING WOMEN AND THEIR
FAMILIES, INCLUDING BABIES WITH NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME
Address the needs of pregnant or parenting women with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH
conditions, and the needs of their families, including babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome
(NAS), through evidence-based or evidence-informed programs or strategies that may include, but
are not limited to, the following:
1. Support evidence-based or evidence-informed treatment, including MAT, recovery services and
supports, and prevention services for pregnant women – or women who could become pregnant –
who have OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions, and other measures to educate and
provide support to families affected by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
2. Expand comprehensive evidence-based treatment and recovery services, including MAT, for
uninsured women with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions for up to 12 months
postpartum.
3. Training for obstetricians or other healthcare personnel that work with pregnant women and
their families regarding treatment of OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions.
4. Expand comprehensive evidence-based treatment and recovery support for NAS babies; expand
services for better continuum of care with infant-need dyad; expand long-term treatment and
services for medical monitoring of NAS babies and their families.
5. Provide training to health care providers who work with pregnant or parenting women on best
practices for compliance with federal requirements that children born with Neonatal Abstinence
Syndrome get referred to appropriate services and receive a plan of safe care.
6. Child and family supports for parenting women with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH
conditions.
7. Enhanced family supports and child care services for parents with OUD and any co-occurring
SUD/MH conditions.
8. Provide enhanced support for children and family members suffering trauma as a result of
addiction in the family; and offer trauma-informed behavioral health treatment for adverse
childhood events.
9. Offer home-based wrap-around services to persons with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH
conditions, including but not limited to parent skills training.
10. Support for Children’s Services – Fund additional positions and services, including supportive
housing and other residential services, relating to children being removed from the home and/or
placed in foster care due to custodial opioid use.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 13
Exhibits, page 9
PART TWO: PREVENTION
F. PREVENT OVER-PRESCRIBING AND ENSURE APPROPRIATE PRESCRIBING
AND DISPENSING OF OPIOIDS
Support efforts to prevent over-prescribing and ensure appropriate prescribing and dispensing of
opioids through evidence-based or evidence-informed programs or strategies that may include, but
are not limited to, the following:
1. Fund medical provider education and outreach regarding best prescribing practices for opioids
consistent with Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain from the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, including providers at hospitals (academic detailing).
2. Training for health care providers regarding safe and responsible opioid prescribing, dosing,
and tapering patients off opioids.
3. Continuing Medical Education (CME) on appropriate prescribing of opioids.
4. Support for non-opioid pain treatment alternatives, including training providers to offer or refer
to multi-modal, evidence-informed treatment of pain.
5. Support enhancements or improvements to Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs),
including but not limited to improvements that:
a. Increase the number of prescribers using PDMPs;
b. Improve point-of-care decision-making by increasing the quantity, quality, or format of
data available to prescribers using PDMPs, by improving the interface that prescribers use
to access PDMP data, or both; or
c. Enable states to use PDMP data in support of surveillance or intervention strategies,
including MAT referrals and follow-up for individuals identified within PDMP data as
likely to experience OUD in a manner that complies with all relevant privacy and security
laws and rules.
6. Ensuring PDMPs incorporate available overdose/naloxone deployment data, including the
United States Department of Transportation’s Emergency Medical Technician overdose database
in a manner that complies with all relevant privacy and security laws and rules.
7. Increase electronic prescribing to prevent diversion or forgery.
8. Educate Dispensers on appropriate opioid dispensing.
G. PREVENT MISUSE OF OPIOIDS
Support efforts to discourage or prevent misuse of opioids through evidence-based or evidence-
informed programs or strategies that may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 14
Exhibits, page 10
1. Fund media campaigns to prevent opioid misuse.
2. Corrective advertising or affirmative public education campaigns based on evidence.
3. Public education relating to drug disposal.
4. Drug take-back disposal or destruction programs.
5. Fund community anti-drug coalitions that engage in drug prevention efforts.
6. Support community coalitions in implementing evidence-informed prevention, such as reduced
social access and physical access, stigma reduction – including staffing, educational campaigns,
support for people in treatment or recovery, or training of coalitions in evidence-informed
implementation, including the Strategic Prevention Framework developed by the U.S. Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
7. Engage non-profits and faith-based communities as systems to support prevention.
8. Fund evidence-based prevention programs in schools or evidence-informed school and
community education programs and campaigns for students, families, school employees, school
athletic programs, parent-teacher and student associations, and others.
9. School-based or youth-focused programs or strategies that have demonstrated effectiveness in
preventing drug misuse and seem likely to be effective in preventing the uptake and use of opioids.
10. Create or support community-based education or intervention services for families, youth, and
adolescents at risk for OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions.
11. Support evidence-informed programs or curricula to address mental health needs of young
people who may be at risk of misusing opioids or other drugs, including emotional modulation and
resilience skills.
12. Support greater access to mental health services and supports for young people, including
services and supports provided by school nurses, behavioral health workers or other school staff,
to address mental health needs in young people that (when not properly addressed) increase the
risk of opioid or other drug misuse.
H. PREVENT OVERDOSE DEATHS AND OTHER HARMS (HARM REDUCTION)
Support efforts to prevent or reduce overdose deaths or other opioid-related harms through
evidence-based or evidence-informed programs or strategies that may include, but are not limited
to, the following:
1. Increase availability and distribution of naloxone and other drugs that treat overdoses for first
responders, overdose patients, individuals with OUD and their friends and family members,
individuals at high risk of overdose, schools, community navigators and outreach workers, persons
being released from jail or prison, or other members of the general public.
2. Public health entities that provide free naloxone to anyone in the community.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 15
Exhibits, page 11
3. Training and education regarding naloxone and other drugs that treat overdoses for first
responders, overdose patients, patients taking opioids, families, schools, community support
groups, and other members of the general public.
4. Enable school nurses and other school staff to respond to opioid overdoses, and provide them
with naloxone, training, and support.
5. Expand, improve, or develop data tracking software and applications for overdoses/naloxone
revivals.
6. Public education relating to emergency responses to overdoses.
7. Public education relating to immunity and Good Samaritan laws.
8. Educate first responders regarding the existence and operation of immunity and Good Samaritan
laws.
9. Syringe service programs and other evidence-informed programs to reduce harms associated
with intravenous drug use, including supplies, staffing, space, peer support services, referrals to
treatment, fentanyl checking, connections to care, and the full range of harm reduction and
treatment services provided by these programs.
10. Expand access to testing and treatment for infectious diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C
resulting from intravenous opioid use.
11. Support mobile units that offer or provide referrals to harm reduction services, treatment,
recovery supports, health care, or other appropriate services to persons that use opioids or persons
with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions.
12. Provide training in harm reduction strategies to health care providers, students, peer recovery
coaches, recovery outreach specialists, or other professionals that provide care to persons who use
opioids or persons with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions.
13. Support screening for fentanyl in routine clinical toxicology testing.
PART THREE: OTHER STRATEGIES
I. FIRST RESPONDERS
In addition to items in sections C, D, and H of this Exhibit relating to first responders, support the
following:
1. Educate law enforcement or other first responders regarding appropriate practices and
precautions when dealing with fentanyl or other drugs.
2. Provision of wellness and support services for first responders and others who experience
secondary trauma associated with opioid-related emergency events.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 16
Exhibits, page 12
J. LEADERSHIP, PLANNING AND COORDINATION
Support efforts to provide leadership, planning, coordination, facilitation, training and technical
assistance to abate the opioid epidemic through activities, programs, or strategies that may include,
but are not limited to, the following:
1. Statewide, regional, local, or community regional planning to identify root causes of addiction
and overdose, goals for reducing harms related to the opioid epidemic, and areas and populations
with the greatest needs for treatment intervention services; to support training and technical
assistance; or to support other strategies to abate the opioid epidemic described in this opioid
abatement strategy list.
2. A dashboard to share reports, recommendations, or plans to spend Opioid Settlement Funds; to
show how Opioid Settlement Funds have been spent; to report program or strategy outcomes; or
to track, share, or visualize key opioid-related or health-related indicators and supports as
identified through collaborative statewide, regional, local, or community processes.
3. Invest in infrastructure or staffing at government or not-for-profit agencies to support
collaborative, cross-system coordination with the purpose of preventing overprescribing, opioid
misuse, or opioid overdoses, treating those with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions,
supporting them in treatment or recovery, connecting them to care, or implementing other
strategies to abate the opioid epidemic described in this opioid abatement strategy list.
4. Provide resources to staff government oversight and management of opioid abatement
programs.
K. TRAINING
In addition to the training referred to throughout this document, support training to abate the opioid
epidemic through activities, programs, or strategies that may include, but are not limited to, the
following:
1. Provide funding for staff training or networking programs and services to improve the capability
of government, community, and not-for-profit entities to abate the opioid crisis.
2. Support infrastructure and staffing for collaborative cross-system coordination to prevent opioid
misuse, prevent overdoses, and treat those with OUD and any co-occurring SUD/MH conditions,
or implement other strategies to abate the opioid epidemic described in this opioid abatement
strategy list (e.g., health care, primary care, pharmacies, PDMPs, etc.).
L. RESEARCH
Support opioid abatement research that may include, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Monitoring, surveillance, data collection, and evaluation of programs and strategies described
in this opioid abatement strategy list.
2. Research non-opioid treatment of chronic pain.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 17
Exhibits, page 13
3. Research on improved service delivery for modalities such as SBIRT that demonstrate
promising but mixed results in populations vulnerable to opioid use disorders.
4. Research on novel harm reduction and prevention efforts such as the provision of fentanyl test
strips.
5. Research on innovative supply-side enforcement efforts such as improved detection of mail-
based delivery of synthetic opioids.
6. Expanded research on swift/certain/fair models to reduce and deter opioid misuse within
criminal justice populations that build upon promising approaches used to address other substances
(e.g. Hawaii HOPE and Dakota 24/7).
7. Epidemiological surveillance of OUD-related behaviors in critical populations including
individuals entering the criminal justice system, including but not limited to approaches modeled
on the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) system.
8. Qualitative and quantitative research regarding public health risks and harm reduction
opportunities within illicit drug markets, including surveys of market participants who sell or
distribute illicit opioids.
9. Geospatial analysis of access barriers to MAT and their association with treatment engagement
and treatment outcomes.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 2 - 1 - 18
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: 5/18/2026
Consent
DEPARTMENT: Finance PRESENTER(S): Eric Credle, NHC Chief Financial Officer
CONTACT(S): Eric Credle and Amanda Kostusiak, NHC Budget Officer
SUBJECT:
Adop%on of Budget Amendments
BR IEF SUMMARY:
The following budget amendments amend the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
26-039 - This budget amendment primarily addresses administra,ve adjustments and reconcilia,ons across mul,ple
projects. See detail at the budget amendment page.
26-040 - This Budget Amendment is to accept a grant from the NC Department of Environmental Quality for
the 2026/2027 Mason Inlet Reloca,on Project maintenance event. $8,861,663
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGN MENT:
Good Governance
Effec,ve County Management
Increase transparency and awareness about county ac,ons
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Adopt the ordinances for the budget amendments listed.
ATTACHMENTS:
Descrip,on
26-039
26-040
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Recommend approval.
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 3
This page intentionally left blank.
Section 1: Details of Budget Amendment
Strategic Focus Area:
Strategic Objective(s):
Decrease Increase Total
214,497$ 214,497$
200,155$ 200,155$
-$ 414,652$ 414,652$
Decrease Increase Total
414,652$ 414,652$
-$ 414,652$ 414,652$
Decrease Increase Total
(115,488)$ (115,488)$
115,488$ 115,488$
(115,488)$ 115,488$ -$
Decrease Increase Total
100,000$ 100,000$
64,000$ 64,000$
(1,473)$ (1,473)$
(37,218)$ (37,218)$
(536)$ (536)$
-$ 235,917$ 235,917$
(39,227)$ 399,917$ 360,690$
Decrease Increase Total
391,182$ 391,182$
(30,492)$ (30,492)$
(30,492)$ 391,182$ 360,690$
Decrease Increase Total
486,000$ 486,000$
-$ 1,112,500$ 1,112,500$
-$ 1,598,500$ 1,598,500$
Decrease Increase Total
-$ 1,598,500$ 1,598,500$
-$ 1,598,500$ 1,598,500$
Decrease Increase Total
1,658$ 1,658$
-$ 1,658$ 1,658$
Decrease Increase Total
352$ 352$
200,155$ 200,155$
(198,849)$ (198,849)$
(198,849)$ 200,507$ 1,658$
Cap Proj Exp - Hanover Pines
Cap Proj Exp - Ogden Park
Cap Proj Exp - Vice/Det Facility
Transfer in from Special Revenue - ARPA
Long Term Debt Issued
Total
Revenue:
Interest on Investments
Total
Fund: Bike & Pedestrian Path Capital Projects
Expenditure:
Cap Proj Exp - Carolina Bch Rd, NCDOT
Transfer to Debt Service Fund
Total
Transfer to Capital Project Fund - CFCC
Expenditure:
Cap Proj Exp - Smith Creek Pk Ph II - Art
Transfer to Debt Service Fund
Total
Revenue:
Interest on Investments
Installment Loan Proceeds
Total
Fund: CFCC Health Program Expansion Capital Project Fund
Expenditure:
Transfer to Debt Service Fund
Fund: Project Grace Capital Project Fund
Expenditure:
Revenue:
Cap Proj Exp - Northchase Library - Art
Transfer to Debt Service Fund
Total
Revenue:
Capital Project Expense - Art
Total
AGENDA:May 18, 2026
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of County Commissioners of New Hanover County, North Carolina, that the following
Budget Amendment(s) be made to the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
Interest on Investments
Total
Fund: Capital Improvement Projects Capital Project Fund
Interest on Investments
Fund: American Rescue Plan Special Revenue Fund
Expenditure:
Transfer to Debt Service Fund
Total
Good Governance
Communicate what the county does and why.
Utilize innovative energy solutions.
Decrease Increase Total
(212,500)$ (212,500)$
254,500$ 254,500$
(212,500)$ 254,500$ 42,000$
Decrease Increase Total
42,000$ 42,000$
-$ 42,000$ 42,000$
Decrease Increase Total
-$ 1,720,063$ 1,720,063$
214,497$ 214,497$
(1,934,560)$ (1,934,560)$
(1,934,560)$ 1,934,560$ -$
Appropriated Fund Balance 2,377,758$ 443,198$
Section 2: Explanation
Section 3: Documentation of Adoption
Adopted, this 18th day of May, 2026.
(SEAL)
The items noted above result in a $1.9 million addition to the Debt Service Fund, which reduces the reliance on fund balance
and provides liquidity.
The American Rescue Plan Special Revenue Fund has interest earnings of $414K. A portion of this amount is being
transferred to the CFCC Nursing Building Fund, with the remainder being transferred to the Debt Service Fund.
In FY24, $115K was appropriated as a local match in the Bike & Pedestrian Path Capital Project Fund for a multi-use path
on Carolina Beach Road in conjunction with a NCDOT project. In Sept, 2025, staff informed the Board that the NCDOT
elected not to move forward with that part of the project. Therefore these matching funds are no longer necessary and are
being transferred to the Debt Service Fund.
As it relates to the Capital Improvement Projects Capital Project Fund and the Project Grace Capital Fund, in last year's
budget, it was budgeted for art costs to be eliminated from Smith Creek Park, Northchase Library, and Project Grace and for
those funds be transferred to the Debt Service Fund. It has been determined that those funds are not available to be
transferred out until the project is complete. Therefore the costs are being re-budgeted to their respective fund and will be
available at the conclusion of the projects. Also, there were three projects partially or fully funded with 2023 limited
obligations bonds (LOBS) - Hanover Pines Park, Ogden Park & the Vice/Detective Facility - that are now complete and this
entry zero's out the remaining funds, including interest earnings. Interest earnings from the Project Grace Capital Fund are
also budgeted to be transferred to the Debt Service Fund.
The CFCC Health Program Expansion Capital Project Fund is being closed (CFCC Nursing Building). While the building
cost was fully reimbursed by CFCC from their state grant, there were several out of pocket costs incurred by the County that
are being funded in this entry with a transfer in of a portion of the ARP interest that is available, which will allow staff to
close the fund.
The Public Health & Social Services Facility Capital Project Fund is being closed. - this relates to the HHS Building built in
2019. The interest and project savings are being transferred to the debt service fund.
Capital Project Expense
Transfer to Debt Service Fund
Revenue:
Interest on Investments
BA 26-039 - This budget amendment primarily addresses administrative adjustments and reconciliations across multiple
projects.
Appropriated Fund Balance
This ordinance shall be effective upon its adoption.
Total
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of New Hanover County, North Carolina,
that the Ordinance for Budget Amendment(s) 26-039 amending the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June
30, 2026, is adopted.
LeAnn Pierce, Chair
ATTEST:
Kymberleigh G. Crowell, Clerk to the Board
Total
Prior to
Actions Today
Total if Actions Taken
Total
Fund: Public Health and Social Services Facility Capital Project Fund
Expenditure:
Fund: Debt Service Special Revenue Fund
Transfer in from Capital Project Funds
Transfer in from Special Revenue Fund
Revenue:
Section 1: Details of Budget Amendment
Strategic Focus Area:
Strategic Objective(s):
Decrease Increase Total
-$ 8,861,663$ 8,861,663$
-$ 8,861,663$ 8,861,663$
Decrease Increase Total
-$ 8,861,663$ 8,861,663$
-$ 8,861,663$ 8,861,663$
34,089,137$ 42,950,800$
Section 2: Explanation
Section 3: Documentation of Adoption
Adopted, this 18th day of May, 2026.
(SEAL)
ATTEST:
This ordinance shall be effective upon its adoption.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of New Hanover County, North Carolina,
that the Ordinance for Budget Amendment(s) 26-040 amending the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June
30, 2026, is adopted.
LeAnn Pierce, Chair
Kymberleigh G. Crowell, Clerk to the Board
Total
Prior to Actions
Today
Total if Actions Taken
BA 26-040 Accepts a grant from the NC Department of Environmental Quality for the 2026/2027 MIRP (Mason Inlet
Relocation Project) maintenance event. The State has awarded $8,861,663, Shallow Draft Navigation Funds for the event.
The County's required match is $2,953,888, which is available in the Mason Inlet Capital Project Fund. The State's grant
funds shall only be used to supplement, not to supplant, local funds that would otherwise be expended to carry out the project
or services.
Departmental Budget
Fund: Mason Inlet Relocation Capital Project Fund
BA 26-040 NC DEQ Grant Revenue
Revenue:
Total
BA 26-040 Capital Project Expense
Department: Engeering
Expenditure:
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of County Commissioners of New Hanover County, North Carolina, that the following
Budget Amendment(s) be made to the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
AGENDA: May 18, 2026
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET
Good Governance
Communicate what the county does and why.
Utilize innovative energy solutions.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 3 - 2 - 1
This page intentionally left blank.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: 5/18/2026
Consent
DEPARTMENT: Finance PRESENTER(S): Jodi Rich, NHC Parks & Gardens Director and Eric Credle, NHC Chief
Financial Officer
CONTACT(S): Jodi Rich
SUBJECT:
Approval of the Bid Award for the North College Road Mul1use Trail Construc1on
BRIEF SUMMARY:
Staff requests approval to award a construc%on contract for the construc%on of a 2.51-mile paved bicycle and
pedestrian trail that runs along North College Road from Gordon Road to Northchase Parkway West.
Bids for construc%on of the mul%use trail were opened on April 23, 2026. Four bids were received. The lowest
responsive and responsible bidder was East Coast Contrac%ng, Inc. in the amount of $3,123,690.44. When this
construc%on bid amount is added to the other project costs, such as design and easement acquisi%on, the total
expected cost of the trail is $5,425,892.
The funding for the project includes county funds, as well as a grant from the WMPO. The a>ached budget
amendment trues up the budget to the confirmed cost.
Prior Budget Budget
Amendment
Revised
Budget
County Funds - Debt - CIP Budgets FY22-24 $ 4,320,000 (734,108)3,585,892
WMPO Grant - FY24 1,840,000 -1,840,000
Total $ 6,160,000 (734,108)5,425,892
Construc%on of the trail is expected to begin in August, with comple%on in November 2027.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
Sustainable Land Use & Environmental Stewardship
Through planned growth and development, residents have access to their basic need
Connect residents to basic needs through a variety of housing and transporta%on op%ons.
RECOM MENDED MOTION AND REQU ESTED ACTION S:
Approve the award of the construc%on contract for the North College Road Mul%use Trail to East Coast Contrac%ng,
Inc. in the amount of $3,123,690.44 and approve Budget Amendment 26-038.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 4
ATTACHMENTS:
N College Rd Trail Map,Bid Tab - N College Rd Trail, 26-038
COU NTY MANAGER'S COM MENTS AND RECOM MENDATION S: (only Manager)
Recommend approval.
COM MISSION ERS' ACTION S:
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Northchase Library
Trask Middle
Laney High
Olsen Park
Gordon Rd
North College Multiuse Trail
2.51 miles: Gordon Rd to Northchase Pkwy W
Multiuse Trail
Sidewalk
Crosswalk
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 4 - 1 - 1
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Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 4 - 2 - 1
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Section 1: Details of Budget Amendment
Strategic Focus Area:
Strategic Objective(s):
Decrease Increase Total
(734,108)$ -$(734,108)$
(734,108)$ -$(734,108)$
Decrease Increase Total
(734,108)$ -$(734,108)$
(734,108)$ -$(734,108)$
ATTEST:
Kymberleigh G. Crowell, Clerk to the Board
Total
Revenue:
BA 26-038 Installment Loan Proceeds
Total
Expenditure:
BA 26-038 Capital Project Expense
Section 2: Explanation
BA 26-038 trues up the previous budget established for the North College Road Trail, a bike and pedestrian path connecting
Gordon Road to Northchase Parkway West. Using general estimates, this project was budgeted for as part of the County’s
CIP plan in Fiscal Years 22-24 totaling $4.32 million, with the funding designated to be with loan proceeds. In addition, in
FY24, a grant for $1.84 million was received from the WMPO amended the original budget, resulting in a total project
budget of $6,160,000. Construction of the project has now been bid out and the total expected cost is $5,425,892. BA
26-038 adjusts the project budget to this updated amount.
Section 3: Documentation of Adoption
This ordinance shall be effective upon its adoption.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of New Hanover County, North
Carolina, that the Ordinance for Budget Amendment(s) 26-038 amending the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2026, is adopted.
Adopted, this 18th day of May, 2026.
(SEAL)
LeAnn Pierce, Chair
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of County Commissioners of New Hanover County, North Carolina, that the following
Budget Amendment(s) be made to the annual budget ordinance for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
Fund: Capital Improvement Projects
AGENDA: May 18, 2026
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET
Good Governance
Communicate what the county does and why.
Proactively manage the county budget.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 4 - 3 - 1
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N E W H A N OV E R C O U N T Y B OA R D O F C O M M I S S I O N E R S
R EQU E S T F O R B OA R D A C T I O N
M E E T I N G DAT E : 5/18/2026
Regular
D E PA R T M E N T: Health and Human Services P R E S E N T E R(S ): C o mmissio ners and C hris C o udriet, C o unty Manager
C O N TA C T (S ): B o Dean, N H C Human Reso urces S r. Ana lyst and C ala B lo ndin, N H C Human Reso urces
Specialist
S U B J EC T:
P resenta(on of S ervice A wards and I ntroduc(on of N ew E m ployees
B R I E F S U M M A RY:
Service awards will be presented to re!rees and employees, and new emplo yees will be introduced.
S T R AT EGI C P L A N A L I G N M E N T:
G ood G overnance
I nternal bus iness processes
Communicate what the county does and w hy
R EC O M M E N D E D M OT I O N A N D R EQU E S T E D A C T I O N S :
Present service awards and meet new employees.
C O U N T Y M A N AG E R'S C O M M E N T S A N D R EC O M M E N DAT I O N S : (only M anag er)
Present service awards and meet new employees.
C O M M I S S I O N E R S ' A C T I O N S :
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 5
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: 5/18/2026
Regular
DEPARTMENT: Finance PRESENTER(S): Eric Credle, NHC Chief Financial Officer
CONTACT(S): Eric Credle
SUBJECT:
Considera*on of Introduc*on of Bond Order and Resolu*on to Set a Public Hearing Date for General Obliga*on
Bonds for Capital Needs of the New Hanover County Schools
BRIEF SUMMARY:
At the April 20, 2026 mee ng, the Board adopted resolu ons represen ng the first statutory steps in se$ng a bond
referendum to authorize the issuance of $320.5 million in general obliga on debt in order to fund capital needs of New
Hanover County Schools, with the specific projects that are proposed being listed in those agenda materials. The
resolu ons related to: 1) Making Certain Findings of Fact, and 2) direc ng the publica on of a No ce of Inten on to
Apply to the Local Government Commission (the “LGC”) for Approval of Bonds. That no ce was published on April 21,
2026, and on May 4, 2026, the applica on was filed with the LGC.
The next steps in this process are for: 1) the Board to formally introduce the Bond Order, and 2) to adopt a resolu on
to set the date for a public hearing to provide ci zens with the opportunity to comment on this ma=er.
The full Bond Order is included as an a=achment, which is summarized here as follows:
Authorizes that $320,525,000 in general obliga on bonds be issued to raise funds for necessary capital costs for
the county schools.
A statement that affirms that taxes will be levied in an amount sufficient to pay the principal and interest of the
bonds.
A statement that a sworn statement of the County’s debt has been filed with the Clerk to the Board and is open
to public inspec on.
A statement that the bond order will take effect if approved by the voters of the County at a referendum
scheduled for November 3, 2026.
This Bond Order cannot be acted upon un l a public hearing is held.
As it relates to the public hearing, it is recommended that the Board adopt the a=ached resolu on to set the
public hearing for June 1, 2026 at or about 4:00 p.m. in the Assembly Room (Room 301), New Hanover County
Historic Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401. It is expected that the Board will
consider adop ng the Bond Order following the public hearing.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGN MENT:
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 6
Good Governance
Effec ve County Management
Increase transparency and awareness about county ac ons
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
1.Acknowledge the Bond Order Authorizing the Issuance of $320,525,000 General Obliga on School Bonds of the County of New Hanover, North Carolina.
2.Adopt the resolu on se$ng the public hearing for June 1, 2026.
ATTACHMENTS:
Bond Order
Resolution Regarding Public Hearing
Public Hearing Notice
Staff Presentation
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Recommend approval.
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 6
BOND ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $320,525,000 GENERAL
OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER, NORTH
CAROLINA
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners (the “Board”) of the County of New Hanover,
North Carolina (the “County”) has ascertained and hereby determines that it is necessary to pay
the capital costs of constructing, improving, and renovating school facilities, including, but not
limited to, the construction and renovation of classroom facilities, the acquisition and installation
of furnishings and equipment, the acquisition of land, rights-of-way and easements in land
required therefor, and related public infrastructure development; and
WHEREAS, an application has been filed with the Secretary of the Local Government
Commission of North Carolina (the “Commission”) requesting Commission approval of the
General Obligation School Bonds hereinafter described as required by the Local Government Bond
Act, and the Clerk to the Board has notified the Board that the application has been accepted for
submission to the Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the Board of Commissioners of the County of
New Hanover, North Carolina, as follows:
Section 1. To raise the money required for the purpose described above, in addition
to any funds which may be made available for such purpose from any other source, General
Obligation School Bonds of the County are hereby authorized and shall be issued pursuant to the
Local Government Finance Act of North Carolina. The maximum aggregate principal amount of
such General Obligation School Bonds authorized by this order shall be $320,525,000.
Section 2. Taxes will be levied in an amount sufficient to pay the principal and interest
of the General Obligation School Bonds.
Section 3. A sworn statement of the County’s debt has been filed with the Clerk to the
Board and is open to public inspection.
Section 4. The bond order will take effect if approved by the voters of the County
at a referendum scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 6 - 1 - 1
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA )
) SS:
COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER )
I, KYMBERLEIGH G. CROWELL, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners of the County of New
Hanover, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the
bond order entitled “BOND ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $320,525,000 GENERAL
OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER, NORTH CAROLINA” which was
introduced by the Board of Commissioners of the County of New Hanover, North Carolina, at a
meeting held on May 18, 2026.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the corporate seal of
said County, this the _____ day of May, 2026.
[SEAL]
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
County of New Hanover, North Carolina
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 6 - 1 - 2
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER, NORTH CAROLINA REGARDING BOND ORDER
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $320,525,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS, SETTING A
PUBLIC HEARING THEREON AND DIRECTING PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF SAID PUBLIC HEARING
WHEREAS, the bond order entitled:
“BOND ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $320,525,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION
SCHOOL BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER, NORTH CAROLINA”
has been introduced at a meeting of the Board of Commissioners (the “Board”) of the County of New
Hanover, North Carolina on May 18, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to provide for the holding of a public hearing thereon on June 1, 2026
and the submission of a statement of debt and a statement of disclosures in connection therewith as
required by The Local Government Bond Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY
OF NEW HANOVER, NORTH CAROLINA that the public hearing on said bond order will be held on June
1, 2026 at or about 4:00 p.m. in the Assembly Room, New Hanover County Historic Courthouse, 24 North
Third Street, Room 201, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk to the Board is hereby directed to cause a copy of said
bond order to be published with a notice of such hearing in the form prescribed by law in a newspaper of
general circulation in the County on or before May 25, 2026.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that before the public hearing, the County’s Chief Financial Officer is
hereby directed to (1) file a sworn statement of debt with the Local Government Commission of North
Carolina and the Clerk to the Board in accordance with Section 159-55 of the General Statutes of North
Carolina and (2) file with the Clerk to the Board and the Local Government Commission of North Carolina
and post online a statement of disclosure in accordance with Section 159-55.1(a) of the General Statutes of
North Carolina.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall become effective on the date of its adoption.
READ, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on May 18, 2026.
LeAnn Pierce
Chair of the Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Kymberleigh G. Crowell
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 6 - 2 - 1
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA )
) SS:
COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER )
I, KYMBERLEIGH G. CROWELL, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners of the County of New
Hanover, North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY the attached to be a true and correct copy of a
Resolution entitled, “RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER, NORTH CAROLINA REGARDING
BOND ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $320,525,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS,
SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING THEREON AND DIRECTING PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF SAID PUBLIC
HEARING” adopted by the Board of Commissioners at a meeting held on May 18, 2026.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the corporate seal of
said County, this the _____ day of May, 2026.
[SEAL]
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
County of New Hanover, North Carolina
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 6 - 2 - 2
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
BOND ORDER AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $320,525,000 GENERAL
OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS OF THE COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER,
NORTH CAROLINA
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners (the “Board”) of the County of New Hanover,
North Carolina (the “County”) has ascertained and hereby determines that it is necessary to pay
the capital costs of constructing, improving, and renovating school facilities, including, but not
limited to, the construction and renovation of classroom facilities, the acquisition and installation
of furnishings and equipment, the acquisition of land, rights-of-way and easements in land
required therefor, and related public infrastructure development; and
WHEREAS, an application has been filed with the Secretary of the Local Government
Commission of North Carolina (the “Commission”) requesting Commission approval of the
General Obligation School Bonds hereinafter described as required by the Local Government Bond
Act, and the Clerk to the Board has notified the Board that the application has been accepted for
submission to the Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the Board of Commissioners of the County of
New Hanover, North Carolina, as follows:
Section 1. To raise the money required for the purpose described above, in addition
to any funds which may be made available for such purpose from any other source, General
Obligation School Bonds of the County are hereby authorized and shall be issued pursuant to the
Local Government Finance Act of North Carolina. The maximum aggregate principal amount of
such General Obligation School Bonds authorized by this order shall be $320,525,000.
Section 2. Taxes will be levied in an amount sufficient to pay the principal and interest
of the General Obligation School Bonds.
Section 3. A sworn statement of the County’s debt has been filed with the Clerk to the
Board and is open to public inspection.
Section 4. The bond order will take effect if approved by the voters of the County
at a referendum scheduled for November 3, 2026.
The foregoing order has been introduced and a sworn statement of debt has been filed
under the Local Government Bond Act showing the appraised value of the County of New
Hanover, North Carolina to be $79,329,439,857 and the net debt thereof, including the proposed
bonds, to be $694,983,560. The finance officer of the County of New Hanover, North Carolina has
filed a statement estimating that the total amount of interest that will be paid on the bonds over
the expected term of the bonds, if issued, is $179,852,988. A tax is authorized to be levied to pay
the principal of and interest on the bonds if they are issued. The finance officer has filed a
statement estimating that a property tax increase of $0.0175 per $100 (equivalent to $17.50 per
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 6 - 3 - 1
$100,000) of assessed valuation will be required to provide sufficient funds to pay the principal
and interest on the proposed bonds.
These estimates are preliminary, are for general informational purposes only, and may
differ from the actual interest paid on the bonds or the actual property tax increases required to
provide sufficient funds to pay the principal and interest on the bonds. Anyone who wishes to be
heard on the questions of the validity of the bond order and the advisability of issuing the bonds
may appear at a public hearing or an adjournment thereof to be held in the Assembly Room, New
Hanover County Historic Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Room 301, Wilmington, North
Carolina, 28401, at 4:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as practicable, on the 1st day of June, 2026.
/s/ Kymberleigh G. Crowell
Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
County of New Hanover, North Carolina
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 6 - 3 - 2
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: 5/18/2026
Regular
DEPARTMENT: Finance PRESENTER(S): Eric Credle, NHC Chief Financial Officer
CONTACT(S): Eric Credle
SUBJECT:
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 - Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2026 Presenta3on
BRIEF SUMMARY:
County staff will provide an overview of financial results for the first nine months of fiscal year 2025-2026.
Highlights for the nine months ended March 31, 2026 (General Fund unless stated otherwise):
•Property taxes of $235.2 million are tracking in line with expecta2ons, with a 0.5% favorable variance.
Sales taxes for FY26 are tracking under budget by $2.0 million (4.2%) due to high sales tax refunds.
•Other Revenues of $17.4 million reflect the sale of the building on North 3 rd Street to Cape Fear
Community College for $11.4 million and $1.6 million received from the Endowment for Non-County
Agency Funding.
•Due primarily to the sale of the building to CFCC, total revenue through 3/31/26 is tracking ahead of
budget by$15.8 million, or 4.7%.
•General Government expenditures of $64.2 million are over expecta2ons by $10.2 million, which is
primarily due to higher medical expenses, while expenses in the other func2ons are generally under-
expecta2ons by $2-3 million each.
•Total expenditures amount to $327.4 million, which is slightly under the budget of $327.5 million.
•Results of other funds are all favorable to expecta2ons, with revenue above budget and expenditures
generally below expecta2ons.
Further details, including results of other county funds are included in the a?ached execu2ve and financial summaries.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
Good Governance
Effec2ve County Management
Increase transparency and awareness about county ac2ons
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Hear presenta2on.
ATTACHMENTS:
Executive Summary for Nine Months Ended March 31, 2026,
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 7
Financial Summary,Staff Presentation
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Hear presenta2on.
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
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New Hanover County Financial Summary
Executive Summary
For the Period Ended March 31, 2026
Introduction
Attached is a fiscal summary for select New Hanover County funds for the nine months ended March 31, 2026.
Included is a summary of revenues and expenditures as recorded by the County for the General Fund, Debt Service
Fund, Environmental Management Fund, Fire Services Fund, and Stormwater Services Funds.
This information is provided to update you on the financial status of the County on a regular basis throughout the
fiscal year. The narrative below provides analysis of the tables and charts that follow.
Budgeted amounts noted below were calculated by multiplying the total current year budget by the average
collection/expenditure rate experienced at this point in the fiscal year in the two preceding fiscal years.
Green circles indicate that the County is at or more favorable than budget, or generally in-line with expectations. A
yellow circle indicates that the County is unfavorable compared to budget and/or trending lower, but not materially
so (generally no more than 5-10%) - monitoring is warranted. A red circle indicates a significant unfavorable variance
from budget and requiring ongoing analysis.
General Fund Highlights:
Revenues
• Property Taxes – At this point in the year, the County has received a great majority of the property taxes that
were assessed. On a fiscal year-to-date basis, the County has received $235.2 million in property taxes
compared to an expectation at this point in the year of $234.0 million, a favorable variance of $1.2 million, or
0.5%. The budget for the full fiscal year is $241.0 million, which is the approximate amount that actual
receipts are expected to be by year end.
• Sales Taxes - Considering the three-month lag in receiving sales taxes, the attached report includes sales
taxes through December 2025. Sales taxes are $2.0 million below budget thus far this year and are lower
than the prior year by $1.8 million.
With gross sales taxes up 6% in the County, the reason for the unfavorable variance relates to sales tax
refunds and lower “Medicaid Hold-Harmless” receipts from the state. Refunds of sales taxes previously paid
can be requested by non-profits and governmental entities by filing the proper form. Sales tax refunds for
the county and municipalities through December of this fiscal year amounted to $7.0 million compared to
$2.6 million in the prior year. Additionally, the first of two “Medicaid Hold Harmless” true-up receipts from
the state was $1.2 million compared to $3.0 million in the prior year.
• Other Taxes – Other Taxes, which are primarily Real Estate Transfer Taxes, of $4.6 million are tracking close
to budget and are consistent with the prior year.
• Charges for Services – This line item totaling $10.2 million is 2.2% ahead of the budget of $10.0 million and is
above the prior year amount of $9.7 million. The primary reason for the variances relates to higher Sheriff’s
deputy contract fees.
• Intergovernmental Revenue – This line item has totaled $28.6 million thus far in FY26 compared to the
budget of $27.2 million, a favorable variance of $1.4 million, or 5.1%, and compared to $27.7 million in FY25.
The variances in this line item primarily relates to the timing of receipts of grant revenue.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 7 - 1 - 1
• Investment Earnings – Investment earnings for the first nine months of FY26 amounted to $9.4 million,
which was 13.3% over the budget of $8.3 million and higher than the $9.0 million recorded in the prior year.
The current year increase is primarily due to the timing of when the income entries were recorded.
• Other Revenues – Other Revenues of $17.4 million are significantly higher than prior years and the budget
primarily because of the sale of the building on North 3rd Street to Cape Fear Community College for their
nursing program for $11.4 million, $1.6 million in non-county agency funding revenue that was received from
the Endowment in August 2025, and $400K in Hurricane Helene reimbursements from the state.
• Total Revenues – For the nine months of FY26, total revenues were $352.5 million compared to a budget of
$336.7 million, with the primary driver of the increase being the CFCC building sale. Compared to the prior
year amount of $322.1 million, in addition to the CFCC building sale, property tax revenue has increased.
Expenditures
• Through the first nine months of the year, actual expenditures totaled $327 million, which is slightly lower
than the budget of $328 million. While in line with budget, at this point in the year, ideally expenses would
be under budget by a higher amount in recognition that $10-$20 million in budgeted expenses will have been
committed to, but not yet spent at June 30, and therefore will roll over and will be re-budgeted in FY27. In
the prior year, the County’s expenses were $22 million under budget at this point in the year. However, as of
the prior quarter end, expenses were $3.5 million higher than budget, so there was a favorable shift during
the most recent quarter.
• Compared to the prior year total of $298 million, expenditures have increased by $29 million. The higher
expense compared to the prior year has been caused primarily by the following factors:
o An $8.6 million increase in medical expense from the prior year. Appx. $3.8 million of the increase is
due to an actual increase in claims from the prior year, which is a 21% increase, and the remaining
appx. $4.8 million increase from the prior year is due to a change in the timing of when actual
medical expense is trued up with budget estimates.
o Public Safety expenditures, including vehicle replacement, are up $6.8 million, or 8.9%, from the
prior year.
o Public education costs are up $5 million from the prior year - $4 million for the New Hanover County
Schools and $1 million for CFCC.
o Transfers to the Debt Service Fund are up $2.7 million.
o The $2.24 million purchase of the Western Bank property for conservation purposes.
o Economic incentive payments are up $680K from the prior year, primarily related to a payment to
Wilmington Trade Center $1.1 million.
Summary of the General Fund: For the first nine months of FY26, total revenue exceeds total expenditures by $25
million compared to the same $25 million in the prior year and $17 million two years ago. Compared to budget, for
FY26 there is a total net favorable variance of $16 million, which compares to favorable variances of $26 million in
the prior year and $13 million two years ago. Higher revenue in FY26 is substantially offsetting higher expenses.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FUND HIGHLIGHTS:
• Total revenues through the first nine months of FY26 were $14.6 million, which were $500K over the prior
year and $1.6 million more than budget.
• Revenue in FY26 includes $13.4 million in tip fees, which compares to $13.1 million in the prior year. Total
tonnage this fiscal year to date has been 293,000 tons vs. 304,000 tons in the prior year, a slight decrease.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 7 - 1 - 2
Tip fee revenue in FY26 includes an initial payment received of $200K related to the landfill gas-to-energy
project. The $13.4 million in tip fees thus far in FY26 is $1.1 million higher than budget. In addition to the
$200K gas-to-energy project revenue, tip fee revenue has remained above expectations.
• Other Revenue amounted to $780K for the first nine months of FY26, which was $394K higher than budget
and was impacted by $222K in interest income, which this fund does not typically budget for.
• Total expenditures for the first nine months of the fiscal year were $16.7 million compared to a budget of
$18.3 million and a prior year total of $16.3 million. The variances are primarily related due to the timing of
the payment of certain operating expenses and the purchases of capital outlay, as well as variances in the
amount transfers to capital project funds.
• In total, expense has exceeded revenue by $2.1 million thus far in FY26, which compares to $2.1 million in
the prior year and $5.1 million two years ago. The reason for expense exceeding revenue for all periods is
because the transfers to Capital Projects funds have been fully made by March 31 of each year, with no more
payments in the fourth quarter of any year. While $3.8 million was budgeted in appropriated fund balance,
because of revenue trending higher than budget and operating expenses trending lower than budget, staff
believes that any fund balance usage will be minimal.
FIRE RESCUE FUND HIGHLIGHTS:
• Fire Rescue realizes nearly all of its revenue from allocations of property taxes and sales taxes, each of which
are within 1% of budget. Additionally, the Fire Rescue fund has now received $205K in Hurricane Helene
assistance reimbursements in FY26.
• Total expenditures for the first nine months of the fiscal year were $19.9 million compared to a budget of
$20.7 million and the prior year actual of $16.3 million.
o The increase in expenditures from the prior year is due to 1) higher salaries expense, primarily
related to new staff at the new Gordon Road Fire Station, a pilot staffing model, higher medical
expenses, and salary market adjustments, and 2) higher debt payments associated with the recently
issued debt used to fund the new fire stations.
o The favorable overall variance for expenditures of $0.8 million compared to budget is due favorable
variances in Operating Expenses and Capital Outlay, which were partially offset by unfavorable
variances in Salaries/Benefits and Debt Service:
Salaries & Benefits is over budget primarily due to medical expenses.
The variances in Operating Expenditures, Debt Service and Capital Expenditures are primarily
due to the timing of payments and are expected to level out by year end.
STORMWATER SERVICES FUND HIGHLIGHTS:
• Stormwater fees are included with property tax bills, and thus follow the same pattern of receipt as property
taxes – predominantly in December and January.
• Total revenues for this fund, virtually all of which are stormwater fees for each of the periods presented, were
$4.6 million for the first nine months of FY26 compared to a budget of $4.6 million and compared to the prior
year of $4.6 million. The stormwater fee charged to citizens was unchanged in FY26 compared to the prior year.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 7 - 1 - 3
• Total expenditures for the first nine months of FY26 were $3.1 million compared to the prior year amount of $2.3
million and are well below the budget estimate of $4.1 million. Operating expenditures are higher than the prior
year due to a higher number of projects in progress, but remain significantly below budget due primarily to the
Courtney Pines Culvert Replacement and the Stormwater Department’s renovation, each of which is just getting
started.
DEBT SERVICE FUND HIGHLIGHTS:
• Revenues of $41.7 million are $3.3 million over budget and debt service expenditures of $44.9 million are
$1.4 million under budget. Both variances are due primarily to timing, and overall this fund is performing in
line with expectations.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 7 - 1 - 4
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Financial Summary
Quarter Ended March 31, 2026
GENERAL FUND
2026
Budget Actual Actual Actual Budget thru YTD % to
FY25-26 3-31-2024 3-31-2025 3-31-2026 3-31-2026 Variance $Variance % Budget
Revenues
Ad Valorem Taxes 240,992,407$ 210,643,527 217,825,526 235,169,432 234,003,627 1,165,805 0.5%97.6%
Sales Taxes 95,321,804 47,543,509 48,965,468 47,143,311 49,186,051 (2,042,740) -4.2%49.5%
Other Taxes 5,904,446 4,446,109 4,700,225 4,621,000 4,528,710 92,290 2.0%78.3%
Charges for Service 13,726,580 9,614,186 9,732,734 10,208,202 9,992,950 215,252 2.2%74.4%
Intergovernmental Revenue 40,488,829 30,549,204 27,703,240 28,554,707 27,168,004 1,386,703 5.1%70.5%
Investment Earnings 12,954,680 10,025,090 8,972,682 9,406,673 8,303,950 1,102,723 13.3%72.6%
Other Revenues 5,761,684 2,235,898 2,362,120 17,423,990 3,508,866 13,915,124 396.6%302.4%
Long Term Debt Proceeds - - 1,830,173 - - - 0.0%0.0%
Total General Fund Revenues 415,150,430 315,057,523 322,092,168 352,527,315 336,692,158 15,835,157 4.7%84.9%
Expenditures
General Government 80,898,862 51,414,177 50,416,352 64,193,841 53,959,541 10,234,300 19.0%79.4%
Human Services 78,502,179 54,298,407 53,718,099 52,630,057 55,579,543 (2,949,486) -5.3%67.0%
Public Safety 119,272,109 72,752,567 75,980,045 82,805,788 86,114,463 (3,308,675) -3.8%69.4%
Economic and Physical Development 2,084,124 1,384,941 1,016,363 1,697,120 1,648,542 48,578 2.9%81.4%
Culture and Recreation 19,186,977 11,665,534 11,776,490 11,443,554 13,641,941 (2,198,387) -16.1%59.6%
Education - Community College 17,520,037 10,036,246 10,227,331 11,320,035 13,210,108 (1,890,073) -14.3%64.6%
Transfers Out:-
Education - Public Schools 114,183,240 73,658,640 79,486,997 83,390,280 83,467,948 (77,668) -0.1%73.0%
Debt Service Fund 17,671,372 13,933,682 14,947,871 17,671,372 17,671,372 - 0.0%100.0%
Other - Primarily Capital 2,223,346 8,600,257 - 2,223,346 2,223,346 - 0.0%100.0%
Total General Fund Expenditures 451,542,246 297,744,451 297,569,548 327,375,393 327,516,803 (141,410) 0.0%72.5%
Appropriated Fund Balance 36,391,816 - - - - -
Revenues In Excess (Under) Expenditures -$ 17,313,072 24,522,620 25,151,922 9,175,355 15,976,567
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 7 - 2 - 1
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Financial Summary
Quarter Ended March 31, 2026
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OPERATING FUND
2026
Budget Actual Actual Actual Budget thru YTD % to
FY25-26 3-31-2024 3-31-2025 3-31-2026 3-31-2026 Variance $Variance % Budget
Revenues
Charges for Service 19,006,900$ 13,137,499 13,146,553 13,407,718 12,259,451 1,148,268 9.4%70.5%
Intergovernmental Revenue 767,800 404,298 409,380 438,322 410,773 27,549 6.7%57.1%
Other 529,000 617,874 601,392 780,237 386,170 394,067 102.0%147.5%
Long Term Debt Issued 1,489,000 - - - - - 0.0%0.0%
Total Environmental Mgmt Revenues 21,792,700 14,159,671 14,157,325 14,626,277 13,056,394 1,569,884 12.0%67.1%
Expenditures
Salaries and Benefits 3,975,650 2,267,239 2,409,739 2,746,729 2,723,320 23,409 0.9%69.1%
Operating Expenditures 11,112,979 6,371,747 6,127,889 6,426,945 7,723,520 (1,296,575) -16.8%57.8%
Debt Service 1,566,438 130,779 359,569 400,764 507,526 (106,762) -21.0%25.6%
Capital Expenditures 1,792,967 1,787,814 2,690,314 1,191,822 1,411,065 (219,243) -15.5%66.5%
Transfers:-
To General Fund 600,000 664,471 667,696 600,000 600,000 - 0.0%100.0%
To Capital Projects 5,342,000 8,000,000 4,050,000 5,342,000 5,342,000 - 0.0%0.0%
Total Environmental Mgmt Expenditures 24,390,034 19,222,050 16,305,207 16,708,260 18,307,432 (1,599,172) -8.7%68.5%
Appropriated Fund Balance 3,786,038 - - - - -
Administrative Reserve (1,188,704) - - - - -
Revenues In Excess (Under) Expenditures -$ (5,062,379) (2,147,882) (2,081,983) (5,251,038) 3,169,055
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 7 - 2 - 2
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Financial Summary
Quarter Ended March 31, 2026
FIRE RESCUE FUND
2026
Budget Actual Actual Actual Budget thru YTD % to
FY25-26 3-31-2024 3-31-2025 3-31-2026 3-31-2026 Variance $Variance % Budget
Revenues
Ad Valorem Taxes 22,707,785$ 13,740,757 14,210,180 22,167,863 21,913,013 254,850 1.2%97.6%
Sales Taxes 5,812,777 2,853,063 2,937,301 2,951,042 2,941,265 9,777 0.3%50.8%
Charges for Services 50,100 23,800 24,042 21,253 29,409 (8,156) -27.7%42.4%
Other 5,000 62,120 49,345 232,842 2,030 230,812 11370.0%4656.8%
Transfers:- 0.0%0.0%
From General Fund - - - - - - 0.0%0.0%
From Special Revenue - - - - - - 0.0%0.0%
Total Fire Services Revenues 28,669,662 16,679,740 17,220,868 25,410,729 24,885,716 525,013 2.1%88.6%
Expenditures
Salaries and Benefits 18,225,283 10,111,836 10,948,955 13,153,642 12,666,572 487,070 3.8%72.2%
Operating Expenditures 6,208,389 3,680,663 4,010,525 4,272,623 5,370,256 (1,097,633) -20.4%68.8%
Debt Service 2,907,266 777,521 785,867 2,279,145 1,726,916 552,229 32.0%78.4%
Capital Expenditures 2,004,220 1,504,159 563,771 221,628 950,000 (728,372) -76.7%11.1%
Transfers:
To General Fund - - - - - - - -
To Capital Projects - - - - - - - -
Total Fire Services Expenditures 29,345,158 16,074,179 16,309,118 19,927,038 20,713,744 (786,706) -3.8%67.9%
Appropriated Fund Balance 675,496 - - - - -
Administrative Reserve - - - - - -
Revenues In Excess (Under) Expenditure -$ 605,561 911,750 5,483,691 4,171,972 1,311,719
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 7 - 2 - 3
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Financial Summary
Quarter Ended March 31, 2026
STORMWATER FUND
2026
Budget Actual Actual Actual Budget thru YTD % to
FY25-26 3-31-2024 3-31-2025 3-31-2026 3-31-2026 Variance $Variance % Budget
Revenues
Charges for Service 4,610,526$ 4,093,836 4,527,920 4,554,049 4,573,642 (19,593) -0.4%98.8%
Long Term Debt Issued - - - - - - -0.0%
Investment Earnings - 50,539 60,929 66,272 - 66,272 0.0%0.0%
Intergovernmental Revenue 294,154 - - - - - 0.0%0.0%
Other 25,000 - - 9,611 - 9,611 -38.4%
Transfer In from General Fund - 840,000 - - - - 0.0%0.0%
Total Stormwater Revenues 4,929,680 4,984,375 4,588,849 4,629,932 4,573,642 56,290 1.2%93.9%
Expenditures
Salaries and Benefits 1,437,108 679,728 717,902 1,005,227 942,743 62,484 6.6%69.9%
Operating Expenditures 3,698,135 1,210,043 1,058,611 1,515,359 2,425,977 (910,618) -37.5%41.0%
Debt Service 214,669 220,969 215,269 24,300 100,465 (76,165) -75.8%11.3%
Capital Expenditures 750,000 999,017 175,352 357,128 464,250 (107,122) -23.1%47.6%
Transfers:
To General Fund 168,000 - 168,000 168,000 168,000 - 0.0%100.0%
Total Stormwater Expenditures 6,267,912 3,109,757 2,335,134 3,070,014 4,101,435 (1,031,421) -25.1%49.0%
Appropriated Fund Balance 1,338,232 - - - - -
Administrative Reserve - - - - - -
Revenues In Excess (Under) Expenditures -$ 1,874,618 2,253,715 1,559,918 472,207 1,087,711
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 7 - 2 - 4
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Financial Summary
Quarter Ended March 31, 2026
DEBT SERVICE FUND
2026
Budget Actual Actual Actual Budget thru YTD % to
FY25-26 3-31-2024 3-31-2025 3-31-2026 3-31-2026 Variance $Variance % Budget
Revenues
Ad Valorem Taxes 8,907,548$ 11,946,961 10,753,336 8,874,571 8,640,322 234,249 2.7%99.6%
Sales Taxes 22,124,368 10,739,061 10,947,201 11,041,846 11,194,930 (153,084) -1.4%49.9%
Intergovernmental Revenue 4,456,665 4,397,083 4,238,064 4,084,081 2,602,692 1,481,389 56.9%91.6%
Investment Earnings - 1,501 1,699 1,113 - 1,113 0.0%0.0%
Transfer In from General Fund 17,671,372 13,933,682 14,947,871 17,671,372 15,886,563 1,784,809 11.2%100.0%
Transfer In from Other Funds 3,250,000 1,109,422 2,212,936 - - - 0.0%0.0%
Appropriated Fund Balance 2,377,758 - - - - - 0.0%0.0%
Total Debt Service Fund Revenues 58,787,711 42,127,710 43,101,107 41,672,983 38,324,508 3,348,475 8.7%70.9%
Expenditures
Debt Service 58,787,711 43,044,304 45,100,691 44,885,078 46,265,929 (1,380,851) -3.0%76.4%
Revenues In Excess (Under) Expenditures -$ (916,594) (1,999,584) (3,212,095) (7,941,421) 4,729,326
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 7 - 2 - 5
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: 5/18/2026
Regular
DEPARTMENT: Finance PRESENTER(S): Chris Coudriet, County Manager
CONTACT(S): Chris Coudriet
SUBJECT:
Public Hearing on the FY2026-2027 Recommended Budget, including Economic Development Appropria6ons
BR IEF SUMMARY:
Based on the results of budget work sessions held with the Board of Commissioners during March and April 2026, the
County Manager transmi!ed a recommended budget to the Board on May 7, 2026. The recommended budget reflects
a tax rate of 30.6 cents per $100 of value, which is unchanged from the prior yea r, among other fund
recommenda+ons. There will be an overview presenta+on of the recommended budget before the public hearing
opens.
Pursuant to General Statute 159-12(b), before adop+ng the budget ordinance, the Board shall hold a public hearing at
which +me persons who wish to be heard on the budget may appear.
Addi+onally, pursuant to General Statute 158-7-1, the Board of Commissioners is required to make a determina+on
prior to approving any appropria+on or expenditure for economic development that the appropria+on or expenditure
will "increase the popula+on, taxable property, agricultural industries, employment, industrial output, or business
prospects of the city or county."
If, a8er conduc+ng the public hearing, the board finds that the appropria+ons/expenditures in the a!ached table will
increase the popula+on, taxable property, agricultural industries, employment, industrial output or business prospects
for New Hanover County, and the board appropriates the items iden+fied as part of the FY2026-2027 Adopted Budget,
then no addi+onal board ac+on will be required to expend the funds. New incen+ves, appropria+ons or expenditures,
or subsequent increases, will require public no+ce and another public hearing.
The no+ce for the public hearing was published in the Star News on May 8, 2026.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGN MENT:
Good Governance
Effec+ve County Management
Increase transparency and awareness about county ac+ons
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Conduct a public hearing
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 8
ATTACHMENTS:
Script,Economic Development Table,Public Notice
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Conduct a public hearing
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
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SCRIPT FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FY2026-2027 RECOMMENDED BUDGET
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
May 18, 2026
Chair Pierce:
Pursuant to General Statutes 159-12 (b) and 158-7.1 we will now hold a public hearing regarding
the recommended budget and appropriations for economic development that are a part of that
budget. The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comments on those matters.
Is there a motion to open the public hearing?
Motion:
Second:
Vote:
Chair Pierce:
The Board will now hear public comments. Each speaker will be allowed three (3) minutes to
provide their remarks. The public is invited to comment on all aspects of the FY2026-2027
Recommended Budget, including:
Economic development agencies and organizations
Previously approved contractual incentive payments
Hear comments, if any.
Chair Pierce:
Is there a motion to close the public hearing?
Motion:
Second:
Vote:
Chair Pierce:
The public hearing is now closed.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 8 - 1 - 1
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Organization Amount Description of Activities/Expense
Cape Fear Resource Conservation and Development 9,000$ Assess drainage for stormwater systems and watersheds to
implement projects that support communities, businesses, and
natural resources.
Cucalorus Film Foundation 19,813$ Support filmmakers, performers, community organizers, and
creative business leaders through a range of programs
showcasing the film industry while training the next generation
across many industries.
Film Partnership of NC 100,000$ A vocational education resource and advocate structured to
grow North Carolina's film, television, and digital streaming
industry and create a pipeline of a well-trained workforce
Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce 210,000$ Business retention, expansion, and recruitment.
Southeastern Economic Development Commission 20,313$ Assist with project development necessary for the solicitation of
grant funding from the Economic Development Administration.
The Southeastern Partnership 30,000$ Provide the regional and targeted industry specific marketing
and conduct familiarization events.
Wilmington Business Development 367,842$ Provide recruitment/assistance for business expansion and/or
relocation efforts.
Wilmington Downtown, Inc.70,762$ Support operations and fund initiatives that help grow the tax
base through private capital investment and new jobs, as well as
grow sales tax revenues by attracting local and outside spending
in the downtown districts.
Wilmington Regional Film Commission 168,446$ Promote/assist television and film production activities to drive
local entertainment business growth, support local production
infrastructure and businesses.
YMCA - Midtown Expansion 300,000$ Strengthens the workforce through childcare services,
affordable wellness programs, and education programs.
Up to
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC and Global Nuc 250,000$
Live Oak Banking Co.60,000$
MegaCorp Logistics LLC 60,000$
Port City Logistics 13,500$
Vantaca 24,000$
WTC Land Co. LLC 1,127,704$
Economic Development Agencies/Organizations
Previously Approved Incentive Payments
The following is a list of incentive payments that were previously board approved as outlined in incentive agreement contracts to be paid upon
the company meeting specific investment/job requirements. The source of funding for these incentive payment appropriations and expenditures
will be from the General Fund of the county.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 8 - 2 - 1
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PUBLIC NOTICE
THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR
2026-2027 HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS. THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET,
INCLUDING APPROPRIATIONS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ON
MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026, AT 9:00 AM, OR THEREAFTER, IN THE ASSEMBLY
ROOM (ROOM 301) OF THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY HISTORIC
COURTHOUSE, 24 NORTH THIRD STREET, WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA.
A COPY OF THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC
INSPECTION IN THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OFFICE AT THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER AND ON
THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY WEBSITE:
https://www.nhcgov.com/2936/Fiscal-Year -2026-2027.
Kymberleigh G. Crowell
Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners
New Hanover County, North Carolina
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 8 - 3 - 1
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION
MEETING DATE: 5/18/2026
Regular
DEPARTMENT: Governing Body PRESENTER(S): Chair LeAnn Pierce
CONTACT(S): Kym Crowell, Clerk to the Board
SUBJECT:
Commi%ee Appointments
BRIEF SUMMARY:
Vacancies exist on the following boards and commi"ees:
Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority
New Hanover County Commission for Women
New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Commi"ee
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
Good Governance
Effec.ve County Management
Increase transparency and awareness about county ac.ons
RECOMMENDED MOTION AND REQUESTED ACTIONS:
Make appointments.
ATTACHMENTS:
Descrip.on
Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority
New Hanover County Commission for Women
New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority
COUNTY MANAGER'S COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (only Manager)
Recommend appointments.
COMMISSIONERS' ACTIONS:
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9
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Vacancy to appoint at this time:1
Term:3 years, expiring 5/31/29
Applicant:Eligible for
Reappointment
Harry M. Knight
(Desires an additional
term)
Kelly J. Roberts
(Also serves on NHC
Board of Adjustment)
Attachments:Committee Information Sheet
Attendance
Applications
Committee Appointment
Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority
Nominations
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 1
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LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
Number of members: 14
2 members appointed by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, 2 appointed by
Wilmington City Council, 2 appointed by Bladen County Board of Commissioners, 4
appointed by the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, 2 appointed by the Columbus
County Board of Commissioners, and 2 appointed by the Pender County Board of
Commissioners
Term of Office: Three years
Regular Meetings: Second Monday of every month at 9:00 a.m. at the LCFW&SA, 1107 New
Pointe Boulevard, Suite 17, Leland, NC 28451
Compensation: $330 per month for Chairman and $300 per month for other members
Statute or cause creating Authority: General Statutes 161A. Wilmington-New Hanover County
Water and Sewer Authority was established in 1970 to meet the needs of local governments and
industry. Its name changed in 1972 to the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority in and
became a regional.
Brief on Functions: The Lower Cape Fear Water & Sewer Authority is responsible for providing
wholesale regional raw water supply services to local governments and industry within its five -
county service area comprised of Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender
Counties. The Lower Cape Fear Water & Sewer Authority is a self -supporting agency that depends
on customer rates and fees to support its operations. The Authority is a non-profit public agency
organized under the provisions of the NC Water and Sewer Authorities Act.
Purpose: Under the Enabling Legislation, the Authority is authorized, among other things, to
construct and operate water and sewer systems located within its service area. The Authority may
issue revenue bonds and fix and collect rates, fees and charges for services furnished by any water
and sewer system operated by the Authority. Its purpose is to provide a reliable and dependable
surface water supply as cost-effective as possible through economy of scale while operating on
sound fiscal and utility principles.
CURRENT MEMBERS
TERM OF OFFICE
APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION
New Hanover County
Harry M. Knight
3225 Aster Court
Wilmington, NC 28409
910-398-7090 (c) 910-794-4956
First 5/18/20
Second 5/15/23
5/31/23
5/31/26
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 2
LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
CURRENT MEMBERS
TERM OF OFFICE
APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION
Rob Zapple, County Commissioner
230 Government Center Drive, Suite 175
Wilmington, NC 28403
910-798-7149 (NHC)
Appointed: 1/19/21
Reappointed:
1/09/23; 12/16/24
Undesignated
City of Wilmington
Charlie Rivenbark
P.O. Box 1810
Wilmington, NC 28402
910-791-0400 (W)
First 6/21/16
Second 4/16/19
Third 5/24/22
Fourth 5/20/25
5/13/19
5/13/22
5/13/25
5/13/28
Mayor Bill Saffo
P.O. Box 1810
Wilmington, NC 28402
910-341-7815 (W) 910-341-4628 (F)
First 6/21/16
Second
Third 4/16/19
Fourth 5/24/22
Fifth 5/20/25
5/31/16
5/13/19
5/13/22
5/13/25
5/13/28
Bladen County
Patrick DeVane
827 Cromartie Road
Elizabethtown, NC 28337
910-247-6308 (C)
First 1/11/21
Second 9/18/23
9/15/23
9/15/26
Wayne Edge
County Commissioner
2202 First Street
Elizabethtown, NC 28337
910-862-3713 (H)
First 6/17/13
Second 9/15/14
Third 2/19/18
Fourth 8/17/20
Fifth 09/18/23
9/15/14
9/15/17
9/15/20
9/15/23
9/15/26
Brunswick County
Phil Tripp
1380 Riverbend Drive
Shallotte, NC 28470-4610
910-620-8282 (C)
First 7/1/23 6/30/26
Scott Phillips
5229 Maultsby Road
Leland, NC 28451
910-269-8651 (C) 910-253-9145 (H)
First 1/1/22
Second 7/1/25
6/30/23
6/30/28
Frank Williams
County Commissioner
P.O. Box 1986
Leland, NC 28451
(910) 604-6510
First 12/12/16
Second 1/1/21
Third 7/1/23
12/31/20
6/30/23
6/30/26
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 3
LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
CURRENT MEMBERS
TERM OF OFFICE
APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION
William Sue
9124 Sue Circle, NE
Leland, NC 28451
(910) 371-2443 (H)
5/10/10
7/13/13
7/8/16
7/5/19
7/1/20
7/1/23
7/7/13
7/7/16
7/4/19
6/30/20
6/30/23
6/30/27
Columbus County
Al Leonard
Tabor City Town Manager
P.O. Drawer 655
Tabor City, NC 28463
(910) 653-3458 (W) (910) 653-3970 (F)
12/7/09
11/4/13
4/03/17
1/06/20
3/22/23
3/2026
12/06/13
11/03/17
3/31/20
1/30/23
1/2/26
1/2/29
Chris Smith
County Commissioner
1409 Peacock Road
Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 840-2975
First 12/7/20
Second 12/7/23
12/31/23
12/7/26
Pender County
Damien Buchanan
499 Atkinson Point Rd
Surf City, NC 28445
(910) 338-7779 (C)
First 01/31/25 01/31/27
Jerry Groves
County Commissioner
P.O. Box 5
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 619-4692 (W) (910) 619-3869 (C)
First 12/1/2025 12/1/2028
Executive Director: Tim Holloman
Administrative Assistant: Danielle Hertzog
1107 New Pointe Boulevard, Suite 17
Leland, NC 28451
(910) 383-1919 (W) (910) 383-1949 (F)
www.lcfwasa.org
Revised 3/2026
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 4
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 5
Submit Date: Apr 13, 2026New Hanover County, NC Boards, Commissions, & Committees
Application Form
Profile
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority: Submitted
Harry M Knight
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Home Address Suite or Apt
State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Occupation
Years Living in New Hanover County
In accordance with Article 6: Conditions of Employment, Section 6.7, persons employed
by New Hanover County may not serve on any board, committee or commission
established by resolution or State statutes in the agency or department for which they
work and receive wages. Prior to accepting such an appointment, the employee must
terminate his/her employment with the respective agency or department.
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us about yourself and why you want to serve.
Professional Activities
Retired Nuclear Industry Engineer. 3 decades of experience in operations and engineering
Harry M Knight
hknight846@aol.com
Email Address
Applicants must reside in New Hanover County.
3225 Aster Court
Wilmington NC 28403
City
Home: (910) 794-4956 Mobile: (910) 398-7090
26
Intracoastal Realty
Corporation Broker
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 6
Upload a Resume
Volunteer Activities
I have served on several public boards including the Lower Cape Fear Water & Sewer
Authority, The Port, Beach & Waterway Commission as well as the NC Licensing of Soil
Scientists Board. I also currently serve on several private boards
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
I am approaching the end of my normal two 3 years terms on the Lower Cape Fear Water &
Sewer Authority. Given the current issues surrounding providing clean water to the cape fear
region I offer to continue that service with the LCFW&S Authority if the NHC Commission
wishes
What areas of concern would you like to see addressed by this committee?
There are several potential high profile issues that continue to need attention - Farque
Varina Interbasin Transfer - Soon to be released US Geological Survey that may limit the
amount of water available to LCFW&S as well as CFPUA to service our customers -
continuation and completion of the 48" parallel line from the Lock 1 water intake - purchase
and construction of the a multi-million gallon surface level water reservoir
Qualifications for Serving
6 years experience serving on the Lower Cape Fear Water & Sewer Authority including as
Chairman. See attached resume
Other municipal or county boards/committees on which you are serving
None
Do you have a family member employed by New Hanover County?
Yes No
If yes, please provide the name of your family member and the department
they work in.
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Dave Small: 910-538-4555 Hank Estep: 910-232-8272 Woody White: 910-232-3374
Additional Comments
I will finish my 2nd 3 year term on this board at the end of May. I offer my services for
another 3 years if the commission so desires
Demographics
Personal information collected below is to ensure a cross-section of the community is
represented.
HMK_Resume_3-10-2026.pdf
Harry M Knight
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 7
Gender *
Male
Age
62
Ethnicity *
Caucasian/Non-Hispanic
If you selected “Other,” please specify.
Consent
I understand that any board or committee appointee may be removed
without cause by a majority of County Commissioners.
Yes No
I understand that information on this application is public record and may be
disclosed.
Yes No
I confirm that I have reviewed the committee information and understand the
responsibilities and expectations of serving as a committee member.
Yes No
Harry M Knight
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 8
Harry M. Knight
3225 Aster Court
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 398-7090
HKnight846@aol.com
Hknight@intracoastalrealty.com
Education and Training
• BSME from West Virginia University (1985). 3.4 GPA at graduation.
• Qualified Naval Nuclear Power Plant Engineer (1989) (Functional equivalent of Masters of Science
Nuclear Engineering, No actual degree given)
• Obtained 12 of 24 required credits for MSME (Material Science) from RPI (1999)
• Completed GE, Martin Marietta, and Lockheed Martin Corporation Training Programs: Krepnor Trego
Problem Analysis, Process Review Facilitator, Shipley Association Technical Writing Course, High
Performance Organization, Covey Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, and LMT Center of
Excellence Management Training. GE New Manager, Advanced Management and Plant Manager
training courses.
• Previous holder of DOD Top Secret, Restricted Data and DOE Q level, Restricted Data security
clearances. Both currently inactive (no current need to know status)
Community Service - Boards and Commissions
Wilmington/New Hanover Port, Waterway, and Beach Commission – Appointed Feb. 2020
Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority – Appointed June 2020 – Previous Chairman
NC Board of Licensing Soil Scientists – Appointed July 2020
Realtors Commercial Alliance SENC – Board of Directors
Self Employed, Small Business Owner (1/2014 to current)
Resigned/retired early from corporate business world to start and run small business. Operate a successful
real estate investment and renovation company. Currently NC Licensed as a Real Estate Broker and
represent Intracoastal Realty Corporation, the region’s premier brokerage firm.
Work Experience and History (General Electric Company, Nuclear Division)
Project Director Steam Dryers, GE Hitachi Americas (10/2009 - 12/2013).
Responsible for the design, analysis, and modification team of engineers and scientists for Nuclear Reactor
Pressure Vessel Internals related to the Steam Dryer. Team of personnel located on both US coasts and
Japan. Exclusively assigned all non-US reactor work due to previous international nuclear experience. Also
assigned and successfully completed the largest US Nuclear Plant Instrumentation Upgrade in record time,
schedule and on budget to support Nuclear Plant emergent issue with regulatory agency.
Environmental Health and Safety Manager, Nuclear Fuel Cycle (10/2006 – 10/2009)
The EHS Manager - Fuel Cycle serves as the leader of the Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) organization for
the Nuclear Fuel Cycle business in the Americas, Japan and Global Laser Enrichment. Responsibilities include
ensuring the development and continuous improvement of Environment, Health and Safety programs; and
leadership of the Licensing, Security, Nuclear Safety, Radiation Safety and Material Control & Accountability
functions within GNF-A. Reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and manages all aspects materially
required by NRC Special Nuclear Materials License for Global Nuclear Fuels and Global Laser Enrichment.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 9
Emergency Director, Global Nuclear Fuels (12/2002 – 10/2009)
Concurrent position with other responsibilities. Fully responsible and ultimate authority for all actions taken
during off-normal conditions of the nuclear facility in accordance with NRC special nuclear materials license.
Reports directly to Chief Executive Officer during performance of duties
Fuel Components Operation Manager, Global Nuclear Fuels (8/2004 – 10/2006)
Assigned responsibility for recovery of the Fuels Components Manufacturing Operation following a Zirc
Fire event in July of 2004 that shutdown the facility. Re-established safe operating conditions and controls
returning the operation to full production. Established an operational structure that recovered and
exceeded 2004 production by 40% for the year. During 2005 and 2006 continued to improve FCO
operations including right sizing organization, exceeding historical tubing production capability and
delayering organization for more efficient operation.
Established record tubing production with 10% reduction in OT
Reduced WIP by approximately $600k
Established Channel production Lean Model line creating >$500k funds flow
Reduced escaping defects by approximately 70%
Improved Tubing yields such that approximately $400k annual savings achieved through raw material
savings
Reduced FCO recordable injuries to lowest ever achieved
Introduced GNF2 product line capability for tubing (P9) and Channels
Maintained Site Emergency Director primary responsibilities and completed NRC observed drill with no
significant comments
Global Logistics Manager, Global Nuclear Fuels (12/2002 – 8/2004)
Responsible for all aspects of moving incoming raw material and outgoing customer delivery of nuclear
materials around the world from both the USA and Japan facility. Established the One GNF Logistics
Organization combining the strengths of the USA and Japan organizations into a single organization.
During this assignment I was also responsible for the design modifications, testing, initial licensing and
construction of the RA-JII bundle shipping container for use in the USA and other foreign locations based
on the current Japanese designed container. Both the container project and operations of Logistics
required interface with governmental agencies (Foreign and Domestic) for licensing and approval of
operations/construction. This position was also responsible for the Environmental Projects initiatives.
During my tenor the CaF2 Lagoon cleanup project was completed. This was the single largest
Environmental Project in GE at the time. Project was maintained ahead of schedule and under budget.
Emergency Preparedness and Security Manager, Global Nuclear Fuels (5/2000 – 12/2002)
Responsible for overall Security and Emergency Response capability for the Wilmington, NC Nuclear and
Aircraft Engines facility. Upgraded the site’s security plan and physical protection scheme based on the
events of 9-11. Numerous GE corporate and Governmental agency reviews of the new security measures
and plan identified this site as a best practice within GE and industry. Also during this time I program
managed the licensing and initial construction of the new nuclear powder shipping container (NPC) an
$8MM Capital Investment project. Running this project required extensive travel as well as interface with
governmental regulatory agencies (Foreign and Domestic) getting license approval and construction
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 10
Work Experience and History (Knolls Atomic Power Lab, Inc. a Lockheed Martin
Company (Previously a GE Company))
Radioactive Materials Laboratory Manager (2/99-5/2000). Assumed management of the Naval Reactors
Radioactive Materials Laboratory due to performance and personnel issues within the laboratory. Fully
responsible and accountable for the Radioactive Materials evaluation program. Responsible for the testing
and evaluation of new structural and fuel materials for the NR program. Also responsible for post
decommissioning material evaluations to ensure equipment and material performed as expected during their
lifetime. Line manager responsible for a $14M equipment, facility and capability upgrade.
KAPL Advanced Engineering Program (9/97-2/99). 3-year company sponsored program to obtain an
advanced degree in an engineering discipline. Must be selected for the program by company senior
managers based on sustained excellent performance and technical capability. Final approval to enter
program approved by the General Manager.
• 1-year intensive KAPL taught courses in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (heat transfer
and fluid flow), and Nuclear Engineering/Design.
• 2 years intensive study at RPI University in an Engineering discipline. Completed 2 of 4 semesters
before being transferred to RML management to correct previous management issues
• Completed 1rst rotating assignment in the Material and Fabrication Processes group. Assignment dealt
with the evaluation of new materials and methods to support the NR program. Currently on assignment
in the TO/Radioactive Materials Lab. Assignment involves the coordination and setup of a $14M MIE
investment in state of the art material property evaluation equipment for new NR fuel systems.
Test Support Operations Manager (4/96-9/97). Responsible for the overall leadership and coordination of
skilled craft resource activities related to development of advanced materials and technological advancement
of the Naval Nuclear Power Program.
• Implemented improved methods to forecast and utilize skilled resources to meet the laboratories testing
needs. Production was increased by 25 percent. This was in spite of a continuing downsizing
environment within the Naval Reactors Program.
• Worked with the Union represented personal at the laboratory to promote a more open and cooperative
atmosphere within the company. Grievances and complaints over the period dropped and represented
personal are now more involved in the overall process.
• Assumed overall responsibility for the Company’s Welding and Quality Inspection programs. The
welding program obtained full recovery from a self-imposed shutdown of activities a year prior. The
welding program is now fully engaged and capable of supporting the testing needs of the business. The
Quality Inspection program increased its capability by greater that 50 percent and is now considered one
of the best programs on site. This is a significant change from their old reputation of barely supporting
the needs of the customers and the program.
• Routinely used to lead or participate in task groups to evaluate and improve below standard performing
organizations within KAPL.
Maintenance Manager (12/94-4/96). Directly responsible for the overall maintenance and operating
schedule of the nuclear plant and support equipment.
• Reduced the length of planned maintenance shutdowns by 33 percent while increasing the amount of
maintenance performed by 25 percent during these shutdowns.
• Developed and implement methods to safely conduct maintenance during operating periods that
historically were performed during shutdown periods. Reduced the number of shutdown periods by 33
percent.
• Reduced the plants out of commission and restricted use only equipment to historical lows. At the time
of final shutdown the plant had zero out of commission and restricted use equipment. Never been
achieved before except at initial startup in the early 1960’s.
• Coordinated operations affecting other site organizations including discharge systems to New York
Waterways. Improved overall operation of the system such that no State Pollution Discharge Elimination
System permit violations occurred during this period.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 11
Operations Assistant (11/93-12/94). Senior assistant to the Operations Manager. Performed the following
functions and responsibilities:
• Implementation of all changes affecting plant operating and technical manuals. Several changes were
made increasing the plant's reliability and flexibility.
• Planning, coordination, and executing special test procedures. Several one of a kind and first of a kind
tests were run during this period. All executed flawlessly with better than expected results.
• Implemented several improvements in the plants operating schedule and manual requirements to
increase the plant’s depletion mission. Received several awards from the Site Manager for continuous
improvement in this area.
• Acted for the Operations Manager routinely in his absence.
Shift Supervisor (10/91-11/93). Senior supervisor assigned to the plant on each shift. Direct representative
of the Plant Manager and has commensurate authority to carry out his duties and responsibilities. His
responsibilities are as follows:
• Ensuring the safe, effective and efficient conduct of evolutions including training, testing, maintenance
and repairs. Maintain proper upkeep and cleanliness of engineering spaces.
• Ensure his staff (approximately 50 Staff and 150 students) maintain adequate technical knowledge and
watchstanders comply with procedural and formal standards. Directing the Engineering Officer of the
Watch in carrying out his duties. Carryout the plant program efficiently and expeditiously.
• Participate in test procedure technical and operational reviews. Ensure plant readiness for start of
testing and proper execution of nuclear plant testing.
Nuclear Plant Engineer (6/86-10/91). Assistant to the Shift Supervisor responsible for the day to day
operation, maintenance, training, and testing of the nuclear power plant including all support systems.
Directly responsible for operations during watchstanding. Qualified Shift Supervisor and Nuclear Test
Engineer while on shift during this time.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 12
Submit Date: Apr 26, 2026New Hanover County, NC Boards, Commissions, & Committees
Application Form
Profile
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority: Submitted
Kelly J Roberts
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Home Address Suite or Apt
State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Occupation
City
Mailing Address (if different from home address):
Years Living in New Hanover County
5
In accordance with Article 6: Conditions of Employment, Section 6.7, persons employed
by New Hanover County may not serve on any board, committee or commission
established by resolution or State statutes in the agency or department for which they
work and receive wages. Prior to accepting such an appointment, the employee must
terminate his/her employment with the respective agency or department.
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us about yourself and why you want to serve.
Kelly J Roberts
kjr62280@gmail.com
Email Address
Applicants must reside in New Hanover County.
106 North Water Street 604
Wilmington NC 28401
7510 Mason Landing Road Wilmington NC 28411
Home: (619) 867-3636
CDW Engineer
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 13
Upload a Resume
Professional Activities
I am a cyber security engineer.
Volunteer Activities
Cold Shelter Volunteer Red Cross Disaster Recovery ( Washington DC chapter)
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
I ran for city council and I discovered how much I enjoy helping the community I am a cyber
security engineer. However my father worked at the water treatment plant in Texas. I am
very familiar with the activities and the engineering aspect of things in water and waste
water. I find it one of the most interesting parts of a foundation of infrastructure.
What areas of concern would you like to see addressed by this committee?
Having enough clean water for the citizens of all the surrounding counties.
Qualifications for Serving
Professional Engineer with a lifetime of being a service member for the community. Senior
Security Engineer | U.S. Navy Veteran Kelly Roberts is a highly skilled Senior Security
Engineer and United States Navy Veteran with a deep specialization in Cisco and Fortinet
ecosystems. Combining military-grade discipline with over five years of high-stakes technical
experience, Kelly excels at managing complex network security migrations, rapid incident
response, and large-scale firewall deployments for both enterprise and government
infrastructure.
Other municipal or county boards/committees on which you are serving
Board of Adjustments
Do you have a family member employed by New Hanover County?
Yes No
If yes, please provide the name of your family member and the department
they work in.
List three local personal references and phone numbers
John Hinnett 203-446-7405 Rick Wilkins 910-264-1516 Rueul 865-742-2427
Additional Comments
Demographics
Personal information collected below is to ensure a cross-section of the community is
represented.
December_Kelly_Roberts_Jr.docx
Kelly J Roberts
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 14
Gender *
Male
Age
45
Ethnicity *
Caucasian/Non-Hispanic
If you selected “Other,” please specify.
N/A
Consent
I understand that any board or committee appointee may be removed
without cause by a majority of County Commissioners.
Yes No
I understand that information on this application is public record and may be
disclosed.
Yes No
I confirm that I have reviewed the committee information and understand the
responsibilities and expectations of serving as a committee member.
Yes No
Kelly J Roberts
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 15
KELLY ROBERTS
Sr. Security Engineer
Certifications and Skills
CCNP Security Engineer
CCIE Security Written
Cisco Blackbelt Preferred Vendor Cert
Cisco FTD Expert
Project Management
Team Lead Management
Cisco ISE
Cisco FMC
Fortinet NSE4
Automation
Python
Artificial Intelligence Features in Firewalls
CDW (Managed Security Services) Jan 2023 –
Current
Sr. Security Engineer
Managed daily activities and alerts for over 60 diverse customers
utilizing Cisco FTD, ASA, ISE, and Fortinet platforms, demonstrating
strong remote client management and troubleshooting capabilities.
Successfully executed multiple complex Cisco ASA/FTD upgrades (e.g.,
6.6 to 7.2.5/7.2.5.1 code) , ensuring compatibility and minimizing
downtime.
Provided expert-level Cisco FTD troubleshooting, including in-depth
analysis of processes using the PM tool, and conducted ISE
troubleshooting (e.g., Unknown NAD).
Cisco VPN configuration for RA VPN AnyConnect
Cisco VPN S2S including HA pair on IPSEC with multi-datacenter
Enterprise Environments
Configured SF-tunnels for Cisco FTD and optimized Science Logic
configurations using multi-vendor configuration packs.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 16
Maintained a dedicated home lab for Cisco FTD and FMC to proactively
troubleshoot issues and identify software bugs, highlighting continuous
learning and self-sufficiency for remote support.
Texas Department of Transportation June 2020 –
Jan 2023
Sr. Firewall Engineer Cisco / Fortinet
Served as CSOC Lead Perimeter Firewall Engineer and Scrum Master,
providing weekly updates to state-level management on critical
security operations and projects.
Led rapid ransomware incident response, implementing new data
center and firewall rules to restore operations.
Managed Containerized applications such as Docker, Kubernetes,
OpenShift
Upgraded, replaced, and configured Cisco 4145 and 2110 FTD Next-
Gen Firewalls, including comprehensive FMC configurations.
Successfully migrated over 10,000 AnyConnect Users to a new VPN –
DHCP pool, ensuring seamless remote access.
Utilized the Cisco Migration tool for seamless transitions from
Checkpoint, Palo Alto, and older ASA code to FTD.
Managed Government Azure firewalls, including complex query
management for security logging and policy enforcement.
Integrated Palo Alto firewalls into AWS environments
Consolidated over 3,000 firewall rules, meticulously scrubbing
shadowed and redundant entries to enhance performance and security
posture.
Guided CSOC analysts through a complete shutdown and recovery
process following a major ransomware incident.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 17
General Data Tech (GDT) Nov 2017 – May 2020
Pro-Services Cisco Security Government Sector
Conducted comprehensive security evaluations and network discovery
using RISC for clients like My Community Credit Union.
Configured Cisco Firepower for filtering and VPN using FMC and FTD,
establishing managed services for GDT.
Performed troubleshooting, complete router replacements, and
upgrades, providing detailed network mapping to management.
Managed traffic flow (e.g., cameras to servers) to prevent bottlenecks
and updated routing tables.
Executed full network refreshes for Atlantic Aviation (nationwide),
including Cisco Meraki replacements (MX-84 Firewalls) and Avaya
upgrades, maintaining network segmentation.
Led teams in implementing new racks and UPS systems at various
client sites.
Handled segmentation for various network components including time
clocks, phones, printers, cameras, and private/public PCs.
Replaced over 20 Cisco ASAs with new Firepower solutions, operating
them in both standalone FTD and FMC modes.
Dun and Bradstreet Dec 2015 – Dec 2017
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 18
Security Architect ( Compliance)
Led application vulnerability scanning practices using White Hat,
ensuring robust security posture.
Served as Lead Engineer for SKYBOX Implementation and Firewall rule
analysis, conducting network modeling and analysis.
Executed solo deployment of Bluecoat Proxy for Dun & Bradstreet,
monitoring and directing traffic, and managing whitelisting/blacklisting
based on NIST standards and HIPAA compliance. Presented deployment
and technical capabilities to leadership.
Performed comprehensive Checkpoint Firewall rule analysis, deleting
over 200 lines of shadowed and redundant code and old VPN tunnels.
Lead WAF engineer (Signal Sciences), creating and refining rules to
tighten security without business disruption, including agent
implementation on servers.
Managed 70+ Palo Alto firewalls globally using Panorama, ensuring
centralized control and consistent policy enforcement.
Integrated Palo Alto firewalls into AWS environments, specifically
protecting EC2 instances.
Hardened Palo Alto IPS by tuning signatures, tightening out-of-box
rules, and configuring medium threats for blocking mode without
impacting daily operations.
US NAVY 2006 – 2010
USS Antietam San Diego California
Sonar Technician, Anti-Submarine Warfare
Good Conduct Medal, Expedition Medal, Sailor of the year Candidate,
Honorable Discharge
Volunteer Spec-ops Extra Duty with VBSS
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 1 - 19
Vacancies to appoint at this time:3
Terms:3 years, expiring 5/31/29
Applicant:Eligible for
Reappointment
Aimee Allen
Dr. Jane S. Bray
Caress C. Clegg
Gin Garrett
Dr. Josalin Hunter
Amie Jordan
Kristen McKenna
Tracey Newkirk X
Theresa W. Schroeder
Jennings (Jennie) W. Thomason
Attachments:Committee Information Sheet
Attendance
Applications
Committee Appointments
New Hanover County Commission for Women
Nominations
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 1
NEW HANOVER COUNTY COMMISSION FOR WOMEN
Number of Members: 11 members
1 YWCA Lower Cape Fear CEO or Designee
5 appointed by County Commissioners; 5 appointed by Wilmington City Council
Terms: 3 years; Members shall serve no more than two (2) full successive terms unless there is a
break of at least one (1) full term between appointments.
Regular Meetings: Fourth Wednesday of every month at 4:00 p.m.
Statute or cause creating Board: BOCC bylaws adopted August 12, 2019.
Brief on the functions: The Commission shall be organized for the purpose of acting as an advocate
for women and a resource of information on the status of women in New Hanover County for the New
Hanover County Board of Commissioners (Board) and Wilmington City Council (Council):
•To identify the status of women and assess the needs of women in New Hanover County
(County) and the City of Wilmington (City);
•To provide a status of women in New Hanover County report on an annual basis to the
Board and Council;
•To provide information and recommendations to the Board and Council on the needs and
issues important to women as it deems necessary in improving and upholding the
opportunities in employment, education, and community services for all people,
regardless of sex;
•To work toward the betterment of the status of women with respect to employment and
educational opportunities, health services, childcare services, welfare services,
financial services, and community leadership opportunities;
•To serve as an umbrella to coordinate and support all women’s initiatives, organizations,
and networks in the County and the City, including coordinating and cooperating with the
YWCA and other organizations involved in activities on the status of women; and
•To conduct educational seminars in collaboration with other organizations for residents
and businesses in the County and the City.
CURRENT MEMBERS
TERM OF OFFICE
APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION
New Hanover County Members
Sheila Evans, Secretary
Wilmington, NC 28409
910-233-5480 (C)
First 10/21/19
Second 5/15/23
5/31/23
5/31/26
Lindy Ford
Wilmington, NC 28409
910-899-7954 (C)
First 5/15/23 5/31/26
Hayley Jensen, Vice-Chair
Wilmington, NC 28409
347-237-3823 (C) 910-769-5452 (W)
Unexpired 1/22/24
First 5/19/25
5/31/25
5/31/28
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 2
NEW HANOVER COUNTY COMMISSION FOR WOMEN CONT.
CURRENT MEMBERS
TERM OF OFFICE
APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION
Emily Mitchell
Wilmington, NC 28412
910-795-8669 (C)
Unexpired 4/21/25 5/31/27
Tracey Newkirk
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-523-7038
First 5/15/23 5/31/26
City of Wilmington Members
Jen Peterken
Wilmington, NC 28405
Unexpired 1/21/25
First 2/18/25
2/18/25
2/18/28
Jen Wilson-Mathis
Wilmington, NC 28412 Unexpired 5/20/25 6/18/27
Beth Ann Bryant-Richards
Wilmington, NC 28403 First 2/18/25 2/18/28
Olivia Thames, Chair
Wilmington, NC 28412
Unexpired 3/21/23
First 5/21/24
5/19/24
5/19/27
Debbie Todd
Wilmington, NC 28409
First 5/18/21
Second 5/16/23
6/18/23
6/18/26
YWCA Lower Cape Fear CEO or Designee:
Julie Potter, Interim CEO
910-799-6820 12/4/25 Undesignated
Ex Officio (non-voting) Member:
Representative of the NC Council for Women
Honorable Robin Robinson
(District Court Judge, 5th District)
7/1/23 Undesignated
Staff liaison: Linda Thompson
Chief Civic Engagement Officer
230 Government Center Dr., Suite 120
Wilmington, NC 28403 | 910-798-7414 Revised 12/2025
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 3
Tracey Newkirk Attendance – NHC Commission for Women
Meeting Attendance
June 2023 Present
July 2023 Present
September 2023 Excused/Absent
October 2023 Present
December 2023 Excused/Absent
January 2024 Present
February 2024 Present
March 2024 Present
April 2024 Present
May 2024 Present
June 2024 Present
July 2024 Absent
August 2024 Absent
September 2024 Present
October 2024 Absent
December 2024 Present
January 2025 Present
February 2025 Present
March 2025 Present
April 2025 Excused/Absent
May 2025 Excused/Absent
June 2025 Present
July 2025 Present
August 2025 Absent
September 2025 Present
October 2025 Present
December 2025 Excused/Absent
January 2026 Present
February 2026 Present
March 2026 Present
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 4
1
Long, Melissa
From:noreply@civicplus.com
Sent:Monday, April 28, 2025 3:21 PM
To:Crowell, Kym; Long, Melissa
Subject:Online Form Submission #23790 for Board and Committee Application
** External Email: Do not click links, open attachments, or reply until you know it is safe **
Board and Committee Application
Board or Committee
Being Applied to
New Hanover County Commission for Women
First Name Aimee
Last Name Allen
Email aimeepallen@gmail.com
Home Phone 6782944335
Cell Phone 6782944335
Business Phone Field not completed.
Fax Field not completed.
Home Address 3221 Red Berry Drive
City WILMINGTON
State NC
Zip Code 28409
Mailing Address (if
different from home
address)
Field not completed.
City Field not completed.
State Field not completed.
Zip Code Field not completed.
Years Living in New
Hanover County
12
Still Interested 4/9/2026
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 5
2
(Section Break)
Personal information collected below is to assure a cross-section of the community
is represented.
Gender Female
Race White
Age 57
Occupation Sr. Manager of Parent and Family Engagement
Applicant's Employer NC Child
Professional Activities Member of the Safe Babies Court
Member of the Resiliency Task Force
Volunteer Activities Volunteer at the Help Hub at the Harrelson Center
Why do you wish to
serve on this board or
committee?
I love our community and I know that there is great things on
the horizon. I would love to be a voice for ALL women in New
Hanover county.
What areas of concern
would you like to see
addressed by this
committee?
Homelessness for women and their children.
Qualifications for
serving
I have worked for 4 non-profits in this community and I would
like to continue to contribute to New Hanover county.
Other municipal or
county boards /
committees on which
you are serving
None
Do you have a family
member employed by
New Hanover County?
No
(Section Break)
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Reference 1 Krista Smith
Reference 1 Phone (520) 404-0680
Reference 2 Parkie Stewardson
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 6
3
Reference 2 Phone (252) 432-4328
Reference 3 Lindsay Prickett
Reference 3 Phone (910) 232-8672
Additional comments Field not completed.
Upload additional
information
Field not completed.
Date 4/28/2025
Consent √ I understand that any board or committee appointee may be
removed without cause by a majority of County
Commissioners., √ I understand that information on this
application is public record and may be disclosed.
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 7
Submit Date: Apr 24, 2026New Hanover County, NC Boards, Commissions, & Committees
Application Form
Profile
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
New Hanover County Commission for Women: Submitted
Jane S. Bray
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Suite or Apt
State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Occupation
City
Mailing Address (if different from home address):
Years Living in New Hanover County
In accordance with Article 6: Conditions of Employment, Section 6.7, persons employed
by New Hanover County may not serve on any board, committee or commission
established by resolution or State statutes in the agency or department for which they
work and receive wages. Prior to accepting such an appointment, the employee must
terminate his/her employment with the respective agency or department.
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us about yourself and why you want to serve.
Jane S. Bray
jsusanbray@gmail.com
Email Address
Applicants must reside in New Hanover County.
6307 MARYWOOD DR
Home Address
Wilmington, NC NC 28409
Home: (610) 248-4382
6
Independent Contractor with
Academic Impressions Executive Coach
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 8
Professional Activities
My career was spent in universities where I served as a faculty member for 10 years and in
leadership roles as a dean in two different institutions for 20 years. In my leadership roles, I
focused on supporting females in achieving their goals. I also served on numerous
community board in support of females and families in need. This included my service on the
following boards: (1). Minus 9-5 Committee, Norfolk, VA. This committee focused on serving
young children and their families. (2). United for Children Executive Board, Norfolk, VA. This
organization provided support for children in schools. (3). Grow Smart Board of Directors, VA
Beach. This organization supported parents and early childhood education for all children.
(4). The Janus School Board of Directors, Lancaster, PA. This board supported this private
school. (5). Lancaster Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Committee,
Lancaster, PA. This Committee focused on issues of education.
Volunteer Activities
(1). I currently serve as the Secretary for the Dance Cooperative Board of Directors in
Wilmington, NC and have been in that position since 2022. (2). I serve as the Chairperson of
the Ballet Virginia Board of Directors, Norfolk, VA and have been on that board for 10 years
and chair for 3 years. (3). I serve on the Membership Committee at the Pine Valley Country
Club and have been on that committee for the past 4 years.
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
I am seeking ways to further support women to reach their goals and achieve their dreams. I
wish to serve the Commission in "acting as an advocate for women" and provide support to
eliminate any barriers that may hinder women in Wilmington NC in reaching their greatest
potential.
What areas of concern would you like to see addressed by this committee?
I am not applying for a seat on this Commission with areas of concern. Instead, I am applying
for a seat on this Commission to celebrate the potential of all women. I hope to continue to
find ways that New Hanover County might employ to support women in their personal and
professional growth and development.
Qualifications for Serving
Over the span of my career, I have focused on supporting women in order to advance their
skills, reach their goals and grow in ways that they may not have even imagined. I have
supported professional women at all stages of their careers in reaching their professional
goals and expand their skills into leadership roles that they did not envision in their futures.
In addition, I served on numerous community-based committees focused on supporting
women within the community by breaking barriers they encounter in their lives. My current
work as an Executive Coach has extended my on-going support for women by identifying
barriers to their growth and supporting their continued growth and development.
Other municipal or county boards/committees on which you are serving
I am not serving on any other county boards/committees.
Do you have a family member employed by New Hanover County?
Yes No
If yes, please provide the name of your family member and the department
they work in.
Jane S. Bray
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 9
Upload a Resume
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Mr. Don Harris, 910-617-8844 Ms. Lynn Harris, 910-520-1180 Ms. Nancy Hart, 910-619-0588
Additional Comments
I wish to thank those individuals who are working to review applications for this Commission.
This Commission and other Commissions in New Hanover County are important to the
development and growth of our region which makes the selection process important work.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of my application for a seat on the New
Hanover County Commission for Women. Warmest regards, Jane S. Bray
Demographics
Personal information collected below is to ensure a cross-section of the community is
represented.
Gender *
Female
Age
75
Ethnicity *
Caucasian/Non-Hispanic
If you selected “Other,” please specify.
Consent
I understand that any board or committee appointee may be removed
without cause by a majority of County Commissioners.
Yes No
I understand that information on this application is public record and may be
disclosed.
Yes No
I confirm that I have reviewed the committee information and understand the
responsibilities and expectations of serving as a committee member.
Yes No
JBrayResume.pdf
Jane S. Bray
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 10
Dr. Jane S. Bray
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6307 Marywood Drive, Wilmington, NC 28409 jsusanbray@gmail.com 610-248-4382
Professional Summary
Senior higher education leader and former Dean with extensive experience in public service, community
collaboration, and advocacy for equitable access to education. Proven record of leading large organizations,
advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives, and working with government, nonprofit, and community stakeholders
to support families and underserved populations. Brings policy insight, leadership experience, and a strong
commitment to improving outcomes for women and children.
Core Strengths
•Community Engagement & Public Service
•Women & Family Advocacy
•Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership
•Policy & Program Development
•Strategic Planning & Organizational Leadership
•Board Governance & Collaboration
Leadership Experience
Dean (Retired), Darden College of Education and Professional Studies
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA | 2013 –2020
•Led a college serving 4,000 students, 120+ faculty, and multiple community -facing programs
•Advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including creation of a college -wide diversity
committee and public programming
•Secured and managed major grant funding, including a $2.8M teacher residency program supporting high -
need communities
•Built partnerships with regional school systems through community “listening tours” to align programs
with local needs
•Oversaw development of programs supporting workforce readiness, education access, and community
impact
Dean & Associate Provost
Millersville University of Pennsylvania | 2001–2013
•Led School of Education and university-wide academic initiatives
•Oversaw programs serving 2,900+ students and initiatives supporting adult learners and degree completion
•Directed federally funded Migrant Education Program serving 1,800 children and families
•Led community-based initiatives connecting universities, local government, and nonprofits
•Facilitated leadership development programs and institutional policy initiatives
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 11
Associate Professor & Department Chair
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | 1992 –2001
•Taught and mentored future educators; supervised student teachers in community schools
•Elected department chair and later appointed Interim Dean
•Led successful accreditation efforts and program improvements
Public Service & Board Leadership
•Governor-Appointed Commissioner, Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Practices Commission
•Board Member & Executive Committee, United for Children (Norfolk, VA)
•Board Member, Grow Smart (early childhood education advocacy)
•Board Member, The Janus School (students with learning differences)
•Executive Board Member, United Way-affiliated initiatives
•Steering Committee Member, Minus 9 to 5 (early childhood and family support coalition)
•Advisor, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce Education & Workforce Committee
Advocacy & Policy Engagement
•National leadership roles with the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE),
including Chair of the Board of Directors and Government Relations work
•State leadership roles with the Pennsylvania Association for Colleges for Teacher Education (PAC -TE)
•Invited participant in federal and state policy discussions on education, workforce, and equity
•Published opinion pieces on education policy, workforce development, and societal impacts on families and
children
Education
Ed.D., Education – Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
M.S., Elementary Education – Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
B.S., Elementary Education – Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
Selected Honors
•Edward C. Pomeroy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education
•Dean Emeritus, Millersville University
•Pennsylvania Teacher Educator of the Year
•Student Leadership Award established in her name (Old Dominion University)
_____________________________________________________________________________________JBray - 2
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 12
Submit Date: Apr 10, 2026New Hanover County, NC Boards, Commissions, & Committees
Application Form
Profile
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
New Hanover County Commission for Women: Submitted
Caress C Clegg
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Home Address Suite or Apt
State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Occupation
Years Living in New Hanover County
In accordance with Article 6: Conditions of Employment, Section 6.7, persons employed
by New Hanover County may not serve on any board, committee or commission
established by resolution or State statutes in the agency or department for which they
work and receive wages. Prior to accepting such an appointment, the employee must
terminate his/her employment with the respective agency or department.
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us about yourself and why you want to serve.
Caress C Clegg
caresscclegg@gmail.com
Email Address
Applicants must reside in New Hanover County.
2333 Jefferson Street
Wilmington NC 28401
City
Home: (910) 685-2872
21
Novant Health Public Relations Specialist
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 13
Professional Activities
Novant Health Senior Public Relations Specialist— New Hanover County Government
Emergency Services Communications Coordinator (former), New Hanover County School
Communications Coordinator (former), 10 years of service to the service industry across New
Hanover County also gives me an interesting perspective on work force and tourist drive
within our community
Volunteer Activities
United Way of Cape Fear — WILMA Leadership Institute Graduate — UNCW Alumni —
Codington PTA
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
I am interested in serving on the New Hanover County Commission of Women because I am
deeply committed to strengthening the systems that support women and families in the
community I call home. Having worked across local government, public education, and now
healthcare, I have had the unique opportunity to see firsthand how policies, resources, and
access points impact women at every stage of life—from early education to workforce
participation to health and wellness. As a working professional and a mother, I also bring a
personal perspective that reflects the real-life experiences of many women in New Hanover
County. I understand the challenges of balancing career, family, and community, and I am
motivated to be part of a body that works to expand opportunities and support systems for
others navigating those same realities. Serving on this Commission is an opportunity to give
back in a meaningful way—by helping assess the needs of women in our community,
amplifying their voices, and contributing to solutions that create a stronger, more equitable
future for all.
What areas of concern would you like to see addressed by this committee?
Given my experience in healthcare, I am particularly passionate about: Access to
preventative care and maternal health services Mental health resources for women and
mothers Health literacy and ensuring women understand how to navigate available services.
From my time in public education, I’ve seen how early experiences shape long-term
outcomes. Important areas include: Support for young girls’ academic and social
development Addressing disparities that impact future opportunities Strengthening school-
to-career pathways.
Caress C Clegg
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 14
Upload a Resume
Qualifications for Serving
I am well-qualified to serve on the New Hanover County Commission of Women through a
combination of professional experience, education, leadership, and deep community roots. I
hold a master’s degree in Conflict Management and Resolution, which has equipped me with
the skills to navigate complex issues, facilitate productive dialogue, and help build
consensus around solutions that serve diverse populations. Professionally, I have worked
across local government, public education, and healthcare, giving me a comprehensive
understanding of how policies and systems impact women and families at multiple levels. In
my current role in healthcare communications, I work to ensure that critical information is
delivered clearly and effectively to the community, with a focus on accessibility, trust, and
public engagement. My leadership experience includes being a member of the WILMA
Leadership Institute and serving on the board of United Way of the Cape Fear Area, where I
hold the role of Secretary. Through this work, I have been actively involved in initiatives that
address key community needs and support collaborative, mission-driven solutions. As a
resident of New Hanover County for nearly 21 years, I have a strong connection to this
community and a long-term perspective on its growth and evolving needs. Additionally, as a
single mother raising a young daughter, I bring a personal understanding of the challenges
and opportunities women face in balancing career, childcare, and overall well-being. This
lived experience informs my passion for advocating for policies and resources that support
women and families in meaningful, practical ways. Together, my professional background,
educational foundation, leadership involvement, and personal experience position me to
contribute thoughtfully and effectively to the work of the Commission.
Other municipal or county boards/committees on which you are serving
None
Do you have a family member employed by New Hanover County?
Yes No
If yes, please provide the name of your family member and the department
they work in.
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Pam Hardy (919) 524-5666 Julian March (910) 782-9942 Vicky Janowski (910) 508-4732
Additional Comments
Demographics
Personal information collected below is to ensure a cross-section of the community is
represented.
Gender *
Female
Caress C Clegg
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 15
Age
39
Ethnicity *
African American/Black
If you selected “Other,” please specify.
Consent
I understand that any board or committee appointee may be removed
without cause by a majority of County Commissioners.
Yes No
I understand that information on this application is public record and may be
disclosed.
Yes No
I confirm that I have reviewed the committee information and understand the
responsibilities and expectations of serving as a committee member.
Yes No
Caress C Clegg
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 16
Submit Date: Apr 15, 2026New Hanover County, NC Boards, Commissions, & Committees
Application Form
Profile
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
New Hanover County Commission for Women: Submitted
Gin Garrett
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Home Address Suite or Apt
State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Occupation
Years Living in New Hanover County
2.5
In accordance with Article 6: Conditions of Employment, Section 6.7, persons employed
by New Hanover County may not serve on any board, committee or commission
established by resolution or State statutes in the agency or department for which they
work and receive wages. Prior to accepting such an appointment, the employee must
terminate his/her employment with the respective agency or department.
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us about yourself and why you want to serve.
Professional Activities
IT Professional that works for a company that provides essential products and supports the
world to make our lives better.
Gin Garrett
ggkreisberg@yahoo.com
Email Address
Applicants must reside in New Hanover County.
5326 Megans Place Dr
Wilmington NC 28409
City
Mobile: (704) 299-9573
N/A
Senior Agile Project
Manager
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 17
Upload a Resume
Volunteer Activities
Girl Scouts, Hornets' Nest Council (Charlotte, NC) - Girl Scout troop leader. American Cancer
Society Relay for Life - Fund raising
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
I am interested in helping in any way I can to support women having better lives and provide
assistance to ensure that happens...
What areas of concern would you like to see addressed by this committee?
Better support for single mothers. Ensuring they have transportation so they can have jobs
and have the ability to be self sustaining.
Qualifications for Serving
Resident of New Hanover County
Other municipal or county boards/committees on which you are serving
None
Do you have a family member employed by New Hanover County?
Yes No
If yes, please provide the name of your family member and the department
they work in.
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Grace Kreisberg - 980-621-3370 Kim Lucus - 910200-2989 Kay Evans - 910-470-9183
Additional Comments
Demographics
Personal information collected below is to ensure a cross-section of the community is
represented.
Gender *
Female
Age
59
Gin Garrett
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 18
Ethnicity *
Other
If you selected “Other,” please specify.
American Indian/Caucasian
Consent
I understand that any board or committee appointee may be removed
without cause by a majority of County Commissioners.
Yes No
I understand that information on this application is public record and may be
disclosed.
Yes No
I confirm that I have reviewed the committee information and understand the
responsibilities and expectations of serving as a committee member.
Yes No
Gin Garrett
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 19
1
Long, Melissa
From:noreply@civicplus.com
Sent:Saturday, April 5, 2025 6:30 AM
To:Crowell, Kym; Long, Melissa
Subject:Online Form Submission #22774 for Board and Committee Application
** External Email: Do not click links, open attachments, or reply until you know it is safe **
Board and Committee Application
Board or Committee
Being Applied to
New Hanover County Commission for Women
First Name Josalin
Last Name Hunter
Email Josalin.hunter3@gmail.com
Home Phone 504-296-1290
Cell Phone Field not completed.
Business Phone Field not completed.
Fax Field not completed.
Home Address 6114 Dichondra Dr
City Castle Hayne
State NC
Zip Code 28429
Mailing Address (if
different from home
address)
Field not completed.
City Field not completed.
State Field not completed.
Zip Code Field not completed.
Years Living in New
Hanover County
5
Still Interested 4/15/2026
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 20
2
(Section Break)
Personal information collected below is to assure a cross-section of the community
is represented.
Gender Female
Race Black/African American
Age 42
Occupation Faculty; Clinical Therapist
Applicant's Employer UNCW; Private Practice
Professional Activities Member of Council on Social Work Education and National
Association of Social Workers; CSWE Commission on
Research
Volunteer Activities Boys and Girls Club; service to Jack and Jill of America-
Wilmington Chapter
Why do you wish to
serve on this board or
committee?
My passion is to elevate women and young women. Much of
my teaching, research, service, and clinical work all echo a
commitment to nurturing growth and potential in women,
particularly marginalized women.
What areas of concern
would you like to see
addressed by this
committee?
Ways to help improve access to support and resources;
connection to other women; supporting women-owned
businesses, and other data-driven initiatives
Qualifications for
serving
Education, expertise, service, and passion
Other municipal or
county boards /
committees on which
you are serving
None
Do you have a family
member employed by
New Hanover County?
No
(Section Break)
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Reference 1 Dr. Megan Bolden
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 21
3
Reference 1 Phone 9104654450
Reference 2 Dr. Anka Roberto
Reference 2 Phone 9107468210
Reference 3 Johvanna Sampson
Reference 3 Phone 5044813442
Additional comments I believe this is my 3rd time applying to serve on this
Commission. Hopefully, 3rd time is a charm:-)
Upload additional
information
Field not completed.
Date 4/5/2025
Consent √ I understand that any board or committee appointee may be
removed without cause by a majority of County
Commissioners., √ I understand that information on this
application is public record and may be disclosed.
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 22
1
Long, Melissa
From:noreply@civicplus.com
Sent:Friday, June 13, 2025 8:13 PM
To:Crowell, Kym; Long, Melissa
Subject:Online Form Submission #26018 for Board and Committee Application
** External Email: Do not click links, open attachments, or reply until you know it is safe **
Board and Committee Application
Board or Committee
Being Applied to
New Hanover County Commission for Women
First Name Amie
Last Name Jordan
Email jordan_amie@yahoo.com
Home Phone 2526732713
Cell Phone Field not completed.
Business Phone Field not completed.
Fax Field not completed.
Home Address 7409 Promontory Ct
City Wilmington
State NC
Zip Code 28412
Mailing Address (if
different from home
address)
Field not completed.
City Field not completed.
State Field not completed.
Zip Code Field not completed.
Years Living in New
Hanover County
12
Still Interested 4/9/2026
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 23
2
(Section Break)
Personal information collected below is to assure a cross-section of the community
is represented.
Gender Female
Race White
Age 46
Occupation Registered Nurse/Program Manager
Applicant's Employer Duke Energy
Professional Activities Involved in Employee Resource Groups- Energetic Women's
group, Business Women Network, and Employee Diversity and
Inclusion Group.
Volunteer Activities Field not completed.
Why do you wish to
serve on this board or
committee?
I wish to serve on this board because I feel very passionate
about empowering women. I also feel the need to support the
communities within New Hanover County. Everyone wants the
feeling of being heard and being seen. That is what I strive for
while serving on this board is to hear and see the women in the
community. I would like to share the knowledge I have obtained
in powering people, especially women, through the employee
resource groups.
What areas of concern
would you like to see
addressed by this
committee?
Women in leadership. Dressing for success- how to dress for
interviews and how to achieve their dream job.
Qualifications for
serving
I qualify to serve because I have the skillset and experience on
coaching people to better themselves professionally and
personally. I have resources that I can utilize to help women. I
also feel comfortable with speaking in public. One of my
strengths is positivity that I can use to direct women in the right
direction.
Other municipal or
county boards /
committees on which
you are serving
None
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 24
3
Do you have a family
member employed by
New Hanover County?
No
(Section Break)
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Reference 1 Adyn Kivette
Reference 1 Phone 910-742-4014
Reference 2 Carol Sellars
Reference 2 Phone 910-392-4753
Reference 3 Deborah Floyd
Reference 3 Phone 910-740-8696
Additional comments Field not completed.
Upload additional
information
Field not completed.
Date 6/13/2025
Consent √ I understand that any board or committee appointee may be
removed without cause by a majority of County
Commissioners., √ I understand that information on this
application is public record and may be disclosed.
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 25
Submit Date: Apr 03, 2026New Hanover County, NC Boards, Commissions, & Committees
Application Form
Profile
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
New Hanover County Commission for Women: Submitted
Kristen McKenna
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Home Address Suite or Apt
State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Occupation
Years Living in New Hanover County
10
In accordance with Article 6: Conditions of Employment, Section 6.7, persons employed
by New Hanover County may not serve on any board, committee or commission
established by resolution or State statutes in the agency or department for which they
work and receive wages. Prior to accepting such an appointment, the employee must
terminate his/her employment with the respective agency or department.
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us about yourself and why you want to serve.
Kristen McKenna
kmckenna838@gmail.com
Email Address
Applicants must reside in New Hanover County.
214 Brookview Rd
Wilmington NC 28409
City
Mobile: (614) 307-8809
Pfizer
SM, Investigator Contracts
Lead
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 26
Professional Activities
Senior Manager at Pfizer leading global clinical site contracting and investigator budget
strategy across Phase 1–4 trials. Active member of the Pfizer Women’s Resource Group and
participant in Pfizer’s Women’s Coaching Circles, supporting professional development and
mentorship for women across the organization. Invited panelist at MAGI Clinical Research
Conference (April 2026) and Research Revolution Conference (October 2025) on sponsor-site
collaboration and budget negotiations. Member of the Florence Healthcare Site Enablement
League Budgets Working Group, a cross-industry initiative with senior leaders from
sponsors, CROs, and clinical research sites.
Volunteer Activities
I have been an active Junior League of Wilmington member for six years, including service on
the Board of Directors, leading community engagement, strategic planning, and nonprofit
organizational development.
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
As a single working mother and homeowner in Wilmington, I understand firsthand the
challenges women face balancing professional ambition with caregiving, financial stability,
and community participation. I’ve spent my career advocating for equitable processes and
outcomes in high-stakes environments, and I want to bring that same energy to advocating
for the women of New Hanover County. Serving on this Commission would allow me to
contribute meaningfully to the community where I’m raising my daughter.
What areas of concern would you like to see addressed by this committee?
Childcare access and affordability, workplace equity and advancement opportunities for
women, and support resources for single and co-parenting mothers navigating financial and
legal systems. I’m also passionate about leadership development pathways for women who
want to engage civically but don’t know where to start.
Qualifications for Serving
I am a New Hanover County resident with 10+ years of professional experience in global
contract strategy, compliance, and cross-functional leadership. I have been an active Junior
League of Wilmington member for six years, including service on the Board of Directors.
Through Pfizer’s Women’s Resource Group and Coaching Circles, I have invested in
mentorship and advancement for women at the organizational level. I’ve also been
recognized as an industry thought leader through national conference panels. I bring
strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and genuine investment in this community
and the women in it.
Other municipal or county boards/committees on which you are serving
none
Do you have a family member employed by New Hanover County?
Yes No
If yes, please provide the name of your family member and the department
they work in.
Kristen McKenna
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 27
Upload a Resume
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Patricia Bowker - 919-805-2232 Teresa Blake - 508-904-3042 Allison Bianchini - 815-354-
2177
Additional Comments
I am a proud Wilmington resident and mother to a young daughter, and this community is
where I am intentionally planting roots. Serving on the Commission for Women is personally
meaningful to me, not just professionally, but because I want to help build a county where
my daughter grows up seeing women supported, represented, and empowered at every
level. I would be honored to contribute to that work.
Demographics
Personal information collected below is to ensure a cross-section of the community is
represented.
Gender *
Female
Age
42
Ethnicity *
Caucasian/Non-Hispanic
If you selected “Other,” please specify.
Consent
I understand that any board or committee appointee may be removed
without cause by a majority of County Commissioners.
Yes No
I understand that information on this application is public record and may be
disclosed.
Yes No
I confirm that I have reviewed the committee information and understand the
responsibilities and expectations of serving as a committee member.
Yes No
Kristen_McKenna_Resume.docx
Kristen McKenna
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 28
KRISTEN McKENNA
Wilmington, NC | 614-307-8809 | kmckenna838@gmail.com
Strategic global clinical site contracting and budget leader with 10 years of experience developing and executing investigator
budget and contracting strategies across global Phase 1–4 clinical programs. Deep expertise in fair market value compliance,
global budget negotiation frameworks, and CRO operating models. Proven enterprise partner to Clinical Operations, Legal,
Compliance, Finance, and CROs, with a track record of accelerating study start-up timelines, mitigating budget risk, and
building scalable global processes. Recognized people leader and industry thought partner with demonstrated success
leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing senior stakeholders.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Pfizer
Senior Manager, Investigator Contracts Lead Nov 2022 – Present
•Own global investigator site budget and contracting strategy for multiple large-scale Phase 1–3 clinical programs, each
with 300+ sites across 30+ countries, ensuring efficient and timely execution, recently resulting in multiple Oncology
contracts executed in under two months.
•Serve as global subject matter expert and enterprise escalation authority for complex investigator budget, FMV,
payment, and contract issues, balancing compliance, risk mitigation, and clinical program timelines.
•Develop and maintain standardized global contracting playbooks, negotiation frameworks, and SOPs adopted across
programs to drive consistency, scalability, and reduced cycle times.
•Provide indirect leadership and performance oversight across insourced, FSP, and CRO-based site contracting teams,
aligning delivery models to study strategy and corporate objectives.
•Lead cross-functional collaboration with Legal, Compliance, Finance, CROs, and internal stakeholders to streamline
contract review, escalation pathways, and approval parameters.
•Lead department-level process improvement initiatives, including evaluation and implementation of AI-enabled
contracting tools to optimize contract lifecycle management.
•Mentor and coach staff through Pfizer Networking groups and Coaching Circles, supporting professional growth and
team capability development.
•Recognized with 30+ internal BRAVO awards for driving enterprise-wide contracting efficiencies, accelerating startup
timelines, and strengthening delivery models.
Investigator Contracts Lead Aug 2021 – Nov 2022
•Led global site contracting teams across insourced, FSP, and CRO models, ensuring timely negotiation and execution
of site agreements aligned with study strategy and startup timelines.
•Served as escalation lead for complex contract, budget, and payment issues, providing solution-oriented guidance to
study teams and external partners.
•Developed and analyzed KPIs to monitor contracting cycle times, quality, and CRO performance, identifying and
implementing targeted opportunities for continuous improvement.
•Received 'Recognizing our Values' award and 16 internal BRAVO awards for excellence in contract negotiation and
process improvement.
Syneos Health, LLC
Senior Site Contract Lead, Global Nov 2019 – Jul 2021
•Managed a global team of Site Contracting negotiators across multiple geographies, providing training, performance
management, and mentorship to strengthen departmental delivery quality and throughput.
•Developed and maintained global contract templates and onboarding training materials, driving consistency and
improving performance across the organization.
•Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and implement process improvements across contract lifecycle
management tools and workflows.
Senior Site Contract Specialist Nov 2018 – Nov 2019
•Prepared, maintained, and amended Clinical Study Agreements (CSAs) and Master Clinical Study Agreements
(MCSAs); effectively negotiated contract terms with Sponsors.
•Partnered with clinical operations to provide functional guidance and maintain visibility into contract status for internal
and external stakeholders.
•Contributed to staff training and development, elevating team capability and contract quality standards.
Site Contract Analyst Sep 2017 – Nov 2018
•Provided training and mentorship to less experienced staff while producing accurate document status reports and
maintaining regular team communications.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 29
•Served as a business development resource representing site contracts and Site Start-Up (SSU) at client and internal
meetings.
•Acted as liaison between internal and external clients and site contract staff; maintained contract templates and
ensured SOP compliance.
Site Contracts Specialist Aug 2016 – Sep 2017
•Prepared and negotiated site budgets and reviewed contracts for accuracy and completeness in alignment with project
and organizational objectives.
•Selected to lead a full study within two months of starting, overseeing negotiators and ensuring compliance with project
timelines and quality standards.
•Liaised between sites, sponsors, and internal/external teams on contract pending issues and status, incorporating
creative solutions to resolve impasses.
Korde & Associates, PC
Paralegal / Legal Assistant Oct 2013 – Aug 2016
•Catalyzed a 200% increase in completed Complaint files, exceeding department objectives through process discipline
and attention to detail.
•Served as key liaison between clients and attorneys, maintaining accurate databases and optimizing client relationships
and service delivery.
INDUSTRY THOUGHT LEADERSHIP & ENGAGEMENT
•Panelist, MAGI Clinical Research Conference (April 2026) — Invited speaker representing sponsor leadership
perspective on global investigator budget strategy, negotiation best practices, and sponsor–site collaboration.
•Panelist, Research Revolution Conference (Oct 2025) — Invited speaker on sponsor-site relationships and investigator
budget negotiations.
•Florence Healthcare Site Enablement League – Budgets Working Group — Invited member of cross-industry initiative
with senior leaders from sponsors, CROs, and sites focused on technology-driven budget optimization.
•Pfizer Global Virtual Connections Events Committee Lead — Led enterprise networking and educational programming.
•Junior League of Wilmington – Board of Directors (2024-2025) — Lead community engagement and nonprofit strategic
planning initiatives.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
•Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology, The Ohio State University, 2012
•Leadership Essentials Program, Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning (Pfizer), 2023
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
Core Competencies: Global Site Contracting Strategy | Investigator Grant Budgets & Payment Terms | Study Startup &
Lifecycle Execution | CRO Oversight & Escalation Management | Fair Market Value (FMV) Compliance | Contract Lifecycle
Management (CLM) & eTMF
Leadership & Collaboration: Team Leadership, Mentorship & Coaching | Cross-Functional Partnership (Clinical Ops, Legal,
Compliance, Finance) | Process Improvement & SOP Development | Data Analysis, Metrics & Cycle Time Optimization
Technical & Regulatory: ICH/GCP | Site Contracting AI SME (evaluation and implementation of AI-enabled contract lifecycle
tools) | Phase I–IV Clinical Trials
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 30
Submit Date: Apr 13, 2026New Hanover County, NC Boards, Commissions, & Committees
Application Form
Profile
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
New Hanover County Commission for Women: Submitted
Tracey Newkirk
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Home Address Suite or Apt
State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Occupation
Years Living in New Hanover County
10
In accordance with Article 6: Conditions of Employment, Section 6.7, persons employed
by New Hanover County may not serve on any board, committee or commission
established by resolution or State statutes in the agency or department for which they
work and receive wages. Prior to accepting such an appointment, the employee must
terminate his/her employment with the respective agency or department.
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us about yourself and why you want to serve.
Tracey Newkirk
tracey@genesisblockilm.com
Email Address
Applicants must reside in New Hanover County.
1010 Nutt Street Apt. 4212
Wilmington NC 28401
City
Home: (910) 523-7038
UNEXO
Founder/Certified Personal
Resilience Practitioner
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 31
Professional Activities
From 2019 through 2024, I was honored to be recognized as one of the Top 100 Business
Leaders in Wilmington by the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, and in 2021 I was
featured on the magazine cover for our work at Genesis Block to create jobs and expand
access to opportunity. I was also named a finalist for Wilma Magazine’s Women to Watch in
2018. My commitment to service is reflected in my leadership across multiple organizations.
I founded the African American Business Council within the Chamber of Commerce, where I
served as Chairwoman for two years, and I served six years on the Chamber Board. I
currently serve or have served on boards including the Downtown Business Alliance, Novant
Health Coastal Region Board, the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council, the
Wilma Leadership Advisory Board, Truist Advisory Board and Community Development
Advisory Committee, and as Vice Chair of the Cape Fear Region Small Business Coalition.
Volunteer Activities
I have been actively engaged in volunteer service throughout New Hanover County, with a
strong focus on supporting women, youth, and families. Over the past two years, I have had
the honor of serving on the New Hanover County Commission for Women, where I have
contributed to initiatives that elevate the voices and needs of women in our community.
Beyond my service on the Commission, I am deeply involved in community-based efforts. I
regularly volunteer as a hostess at my church. As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Inc., I participate in a wide range of philanthropic initiatives that address education,
economic development, and social justice. Such as volunteering with The Diaper Bank of
North Carolina, where I help address basic needs that are critical to the health and dignity of
mothers and children. As well as supporting programs that engage the young girls in our
community. Also supporting the efforts of the Delta Foundation putting on the African
American arts and culture program during the North Carolina Azalea Festival schedule of
events. Through all of these efforts, my commitment remains rooted in service,
empowerment, and creating meaningful opportunities for women and families to thrive.
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
I am interested in serving on a board or commission because I believe meaningful, lasting
change happens when experienced leaders bring both strategic insight and community-
centered perspective into public decision-making spaces. Throughout my career, I have
worked at the intersection of business, nonprofit leadership, and community development,
with a consistent focus on expanding access to opportunity and strengthening systems that
support economic mobility and well-being. That work has shown me that policy, advocacy,
and cross-sector collaboration are critical to addressing the complex challenges many
women face, particularly in areas such as economic stability, leadership access, and overall
health. Serving on a board or commission allows me to contribute beyond programmatic
work and help influence the broader structures that shape outcomes in our community. I am
especially motivated to ensure that decisions are informed by lived experiences, data, and
an understanding of the barriers that often go unseen but deeply impact women and
families. I also see board service as a responsibility, to listen, to represent, and to help build
solutions that are both equitable and sustainable. I bring a collaborative approach, a strong
network across sectors, and a deep commitment to ensuring that women in New Hanover
County have the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Tracey Newkirk
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 32
What areas of concern would you like to see addressed by this committee?
I would like to see the committee look at advancing economic stability and entrepreneurship
opportunities for women, particularly by addressing the systemic barriers that limit access to
capital, networks, and sustainable growth pathways. Many women, especially women of
color, face disproportionate challenges in starting and scaling businesses, accessing funding,
and building generational wealth. I am interested in supporting efforts that expand access to
capital, technical assistance, and mentorship, while also strengthening connections between
women entrepreneurs and larger economic ecosystems, including procurement opportunities
and corporate partnerships. In addition, I believe it is critical to address the broader
conditions that impact women’s economic mobility, including access to affordable childcare,
workforce development pathways, and livable wages. Entrepreneurship does not exist in
isolation; it is directly tied to the stability and support systems available to women and their
families.
Qualifications for Serving
My qualifications for serving on the New Hanover County Commission for Women are
grounded not only in my broader leadership experience, but also in my direct service on the
Commission over the past three years. During my tenure, I have been actively engaged in
advancing the Commission’s work and impact. I contributed to the planning and execution of
two successful Women’s Commission luncheons, helping to elevate visibility, engagement,
and community connection. I also supported efforts to expand the Commission’s survey,
recognizing the importance of capturing more comprehensive and representative data to
better understand the needs and experiences of women across our county. Additionally, I
leveraged my professional network and leadership with Genesis Block to increase community
participation in the survey by integrating outreach into Genesis Block events. This helped
broaden engagement and ensured that more diverse voices were included in the data
collection process—an important step in informing more equitable and effective
recommendations. I have also had the opportunity to serve as a speaker at the State
Women’s Commission Summit, where I contributed to broader conversations on advancing
opportunities and outcomes for women. This experience reflects both my subject matter
expertise and my ability to represent our community at a statewide level. Beyond my
Commission service, my background includes serving in multiple board and advisory roles,
and leading initiatives focused on economic mobility, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
These experiences have strengthened my ability to think strategically, collaborate across
sectors, and translate community insight into actionable solutions. I bring both continuity
and momentum to this role, an understanding of the Commission’s work, combined with a
deep commitment to expanding opportunities for women, particularly in the areas of
economic stability and entrepreneurship.
Other municipal or county boards/committees on which you are serving
N/A
Do you have a family member employed by New Hanover County?
Yes No
If yes, please provide the name of your family member and the department
they work in.
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Linda Thompson - 910-409-4547 April Scott - 910431-2512 Sheri Leavens - 217-390-2207
Additional Comments
Tracey Newkirk
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 33
Upload a Resume
Demographics
Personal information collected below is to ensure a cross-section of the community is
represented.
Gender *
Female
Age
56
Ethnicity *
African American/Black
If you selected “Other,” please specify.
Consent
I understand that any board or committee appointee may be removed
without cause by a majority of County Commissioners.
Yes No
I understand that information on this application is public record and may be
disclosed.
Yes No
I confirm that I have reviewed the committee information and understand the
responsibilities and expectations of serving as a committee member.
Yes No
Professional_Resume_Tracey_Newkirk_TMS1_.docx__1_.pdf
Tracey Newkirk
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 34
TRACEY J. NEWKIRK
tracey@genesisblockilm.com • 910-523-7038 • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/traceynewkirk
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Human Resources and Organizational Development leader with nearly 30 years of experience driving enterprise change,
talent strategy, and high-performance team effectiveness. Certified Personal Resilience Practitioner integrating resilience
practices into leadership development and change initiatives to support adoption and long-term sustainability. Founder
of UNEXO, a boutique consultancy specializing in building and repairing high-performing teams, and Co-Founder of
Genesis Block Labs and the nonprofit Genesis Block Foundation, advancing entrepreneurship, building neighborhood
economy.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Organizational & Leadership Development
• Workforce & Talent Strategy
• Leadership Development & Capacity Building
• High-Performance Team Design and Facilitation
Public Governance
• Nonprofit & Board Leadership
• Organizational Strategy & Operations
Entrepreneurship & Ecosystem Design
• Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Design
• Cohort-Based Program Development
• Cross-Sector Partnerships
Capacity Building & Impact
• Resilience Coaching & Assessment
• Grant Strategy & Impact Reporting
CERTIFICATIONS & LEADERSHIP TRAINING
●Certified Personal Resilience Practitioner,
The Resilience Alliance
●Mastering Leadership Dynamics,
Truist Leadership Institute
EDUCATION
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
B.A., Human Services; Concentration: Sociology
CURRENT EXPERIENCE
Executive Director / Co-Founder. Genesis Block Foundation |2020–2026, Wilmington, NC
501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing inclusive entrepreneurship, small business growth, and community prosperity.
●Provide executive leadership and fiduciary oversight for regional entrepreneurship and economic mobility initiatives,
setting strategy, direction, and long-term sustainability.
●Lead multi-year grant strategy and ecosystem funding, including funder relations, budgeting, and impact reporting
supporting founder development and capacity-building.
●Design and scale cohort-based entrepreneurship and procurement programs, including Block Academy, Jumpstart
Academy, Demo Days, and Conversations to Contracts, advancing commercialization, visibility, and access to capital and
contracts.
●Build cross-sector partnerships and founder infrastructure, delivering resilience-based training and technical
assistance and launching the region’s first shared commercial kitchen and food incubator in partnership with Cape
Fear Community College.
Co-Founder / President. Genesis Block Labs |2019–Present, Wilmington, NC
Entrepreneurship development hub providing space, programming, and commercialization pathways.
●Provide executive leadership and fiduciary oversight for regional entrepreneurship and economic mobility initiatives,
setting strategy, direction, and long-term sustainability.
●Co-founded and scaled a regional entrepreneurship platform, evolving from coworking into a comprehensive
innovation and business development ecosystem
●Designed and launched founder development programs, including the Entrepreneurs Academy, Small
●Business Incubator, and Startup Accelerator.
●Lead operational strategy and partnership development, advancing founder readiness, commercialization, and
ecosystem connectivity.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 35
●Connect entrepreneurs to capital, procurement pathways, and growth networks, while building scalable systems that
support long-term sustainability and regional impact.
Founder & Certified Resilience Coach. UNEXO |2016–Present, Wilmington, NC
Leadership and operational resilience methodology improving clarity, execution, and sustainable performance.
●Deliver personal resilience profiles and structured leadership debrief using the Resilience Alliance
Methodology.
●Facilitate resilience and leadership workshops that strengthen adaptability, communication, and
organizational alignment.
●Design operational frameworks that improve clarity, execution, and overall performance.
●Coach leaders, teams, and organizations on integrating the UNEXO methodology to support planning,
execution, and sustainable growth across nonprofit, corporate, and entrepreneurial contexts.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Director, Talent Acquisition & Strategy. Verizon Wireless |2014–2016, Basking Ridge, NJ
●Directed national talent acquisition strategy, tools, and processes supporting multiple field recruitment teams and
enterprise hiring goals.
●Optimized sourcing, assessments, and vendor models, achieving 70% of hires from media channels and generating
$100K+ in annual cost savings.
●Led enterprise system and process innovation, including HRIS enhancements, mobile-optimized applications, and
centralized background investigations to reduce time-to-fill.
Associate Director, South Area Talent Acquisition. Verizon Wireless |2013–2014, Alpharetta, GA
●Reorganized retail and call center talent acquisition teams into a centralized enterprise model.
●Built and onboarded a new leadership team, aligning structure, roles, and execution plans.
●Drove performance turnaround, elevating the region from 4th to consistent 1st/2nd place across key recruitment
metrics.
Associate Director, Northeast Area Talent Acquisition. Verizon Wireless |2009–2014, Huntsville, AL &
Wilmington, NC
●Led large-scale hiring operations, managing 31 recruiters and delivering 2,000–5,000 hires annually.
●Exceeded time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, and quality targets, sustaining a 95%+ hire-to-target ratio through analytics and
forecasting.
●Reduced recruitment spend and improved outcomes, cutting national media costs by 30%, local spend by 60%, and
sustaining 60–70% degreed hiring.
Human Resources Manager, Huntsville Call Center. Verizon Wireless |2008–2009, Huntsville, AL
●Led full HR lifecycle operations for a 1,400-employee call center.
●Directed HR strategy for new site launch, hiring and onboarding 1,000+ employees.
●Strengthened culture and engagement, supporting workforce integration and communication.
Human Resources Operations Manager. Verizon Wireless |2007–2009, Gainesville, GA
●Oversaw HR operations support, aligning people processes with business objectives.
●Served as strategic liaison between HR and operations to ensure execution consistency.
●Improved operational alignment through standardized processes and issue resolution.
Human Resources Manager, Wilmington Call Center. Verizon Wireless |2004–2007, Wilmington, NC
• Managed HR lifecycle for 1,400 call center employees; Accountable for hiring 1,000+ employees.
• Led HR strategy and execution for new call center opening.
• Led culture integration to support employee engagement and open communication.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 36
Submit Date: Apr 04, 2026New Hanover County, NC Boards, Commissions, & Committees
Application Form
Profile
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
New Hanover County Commission for Women: Submitted
Theresa W Schroeder
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Home Address Suite or Apt
State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Occupation
Years Living in New Hanover County
In accordance with Article 6: Conditions of Employment, Section 6.7, persons employed
by New Hanover County may not serve on any board, committee or commission
established by resolution or State statutes in the agency or department for which they
work and receive wages. Prior to accepting such an appointment, the employee must
terminate his/her employment with the respective agency or department.
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us about yourself and why you want to serve.
Theresa W Schroeder
fouroneone4u@gmail.com
Email Address
Applicants must reside in New Hanover County.
3709 Willowick Park Drive
Wilmington NC 28409
City
Home: (919) 696-9056
31
Friends School of Wilmington
Executive Administrative
Assistant
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 38
Upload a Resume
Professional Activities
I have a Masters in Public Health, and am a Registered Dietitian by profession (which I still
enjoy learning about and teaching to others - when the opportunities present themselves);
however, my life and career path have taken a different direction, and I have found myself
drawn, time and time again, to school settings (both as a volunteer and as an employee), as
I truly believe that all things start and end with children. Any preceived gaps in my resume
are a function of my only including what seemed to be most relevant to this position.
Volunteer Activities
For an applicable list of volunteer activities, please see my resume.
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
Several years ago I signed up to receive notices of Board and Committee openings in the
County, and now that my children are at an age that requires less time committment on a
daily basis, I have been able to imagine devoting more time to give back to the community
where I grew up.
What areas of concern would you like to see addressed by this committee?
Anything involving inequality and inequity is a concern to me - so I would start there.
Qualifications for Serving
Passion and a strong work ethic - as well as solid organizational skills, open-mindedness, and
attention to detail.
Other municipal or county boards/committees on which you are serving
None
Do you have a family member employed by New Hanover County?
Yes No
If yes, please provide the name of your family member and the department
they work in.
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Laurie King (336-749-4284) Rya Lawrence (910-774-4004) Amy McGlinn (919-521-0576)
Additional Comments
I appreciate your time and consideration!
Demographics
Personal information collected below is to ensure a cross-section of the community is
represented.
NHC_Commission_for_Women_-
_Theresa_Schroeder.docx
Theresa W Schroeder
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 39
Gender *
Female
Age
46
Ethnicity *
Caucasian/Non-Hispanic
If you selected “Other,” please specify.
Consent
I understand that any board or committee appointee may be removed
without cause by a majority of County Commissioners.
Yes No
I understand that information on this application is public record and may be
disclosed.
Yes No
I confirm that I have reviewed the committee information and understand the
responsibilities and expectations of serving as a committee member.
Yes No
Theresa W Schroeder
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 40
Theresa W. Schroeder, MPH, R.D.N.
fouroneone4u@gmail.com
3709 Willowick Park Drive Wilmington, NC 28409 919-696-9056 (cell)
Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)
MPH in Nutrition (August 2005)
North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC)
B.S. Biochemistry (May 2002) summa cum laude
GPA: 3.69/4.00 in major, 3.76/4.00 overall
Credentials
Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist August 2005 – present
Jobs
Friends School of Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
Executive Administrative Assistant, 07/2023 – present
Assists the Head of School, Admissions Director, and Business Office Manager in their duties
Acts as Clerk of the Weekly Administrative Meeting
Acts as School Data Manager
Leads the Administrative Team in the transition from one SIS Platform to another
Participates in regularly scheduled Committee Meetings, Staff Meetings, and In-Services
Administrative and Admissions Assistant, 07/2021 – 06/2023
Assisted the Head of School in her duties, including but not limited to:
Assisted the Admissions Director in his duties, including but not limited to: updating and
maintaining inquiry, application, and admission notes, requesting and releasing student records,
managing annual online enrollment, producing annual immunization record reports for the State
Lead the Administrative Team as the COVID Point Person for all questions related to the handling
and response of COVID cases and protocols in the 2021-22 school year
Fielded phone calls and emails from parents, faculty, and staff
Managed ordering of operational supplies for administration, faculty, and staff
Maintained records of operation for all Front Desk duties
Participated in Monthly Staff Meetings and In-services
Cape Fear Community College, Department of Continuing Education, Wilmington, NC
Community Enrichment Instructor (Contract), 01/2016 – 01/2017
Created wellness and nutrition curriculum
Provided various courses in wellness and nutrition
Created surveys to evaluate curriculum
Durham County Health Department – Nutrition Division, Durham, NC
DINE for LIFE Community Nutritionist, 10/05-10/07
Prepared and delivered nutrition lessons for Senior Centers and Community Sites
Initiated placement of and designed bi-monthly bulletin boards for DSS and DCHD
Prepared displays and attended health fairs throughout Durham County
Coordinated production of and wrote articles for the ND’s quarterly ALIVE newsletter
Oversaw revamp of ALIVE newsletter based on annual survey results
Created bus ads and managed purchase of space for display of ads on DATA buses
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 41
Acted as preceptor for various interns of the Nutrition Division
Attended 16th Annual “Art of Breastfeeding” Conference
Wrote press release for DINE for LIFE’s annual school promotion
Collaborated to write FY07 objectives and created evaluation tools to measure them
Sat as committee chair for DCHD’s CQI committee – led committee to change customer service
evaluation protocol and to create an internal satisfaction survey
Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Chapel Hill, NC
National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultant, 9/04-12/04
Revised “Nutrition in Child Care, version 2.5”
Created “Five Tips for Better Menu Planning”
Reviewed and commented on completed trainer activities for content and quality
Created “Guide to Planning a Healthy Menu”
Created “Building a Foundation for Healthy Physical Activity Habits”
NAP SACC Website Production Manager, 10/04-12/04
Completed a literature review for internet-based interventions
Created “Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC)
Considerations for Identity and Website Design”
Participated in the selection process for a website designer for the NAP SACC project
N.C. State University, Raleigh, NC
Resident Advisor, 8/00-5/01 and 8/99-5/00
Organized check-in and check-out for residents
Conducted floor meetings
Planned active and passive programs to meet resident’s needs
Assisted residents with personal problems
Answered residents’ questions pertaining to college
Completed all paperwork passed down from the Resident Director
Attended weekly meetings
Volunteer Work
North Carolina Arboretum at Wilmington, NC
Children’s Garden Curator, Summer 2000
Diabetes Camp—Camp Needles in the Pines, Greenville, NC
Camp Counselor (responsible for a group of 8-9 year old girls for one week), Summer 2004
Be Active North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Volunteer, Spring 2005
Girls on the Run, Chapel Hill, NC
Marketing/Communications Committee Member, Summer 2005-Spring 2006
Parsley Elementary School, Wilmington, NC
Library, Front Office, and Classroom Helper, September 2015 – February 2020
Friends School of Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
Morning Drop-off & Classroom Helper, August 2020 – May 2021
JT Hoggard High School, Wilmington, NC
Parent Volunteer, September 2022 – Present
New Hanover High School, Wilmington, NC
Parent Volunteer, September 2024 – Present
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 42
Submit Date: Apr 20, 2026New Hanover County, NC Boards, Commissions, & Committees
Application Form
Profile
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
New Hanover County Commission for Women: Submitted
Jennings (Jennie) W Thomason
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Home Address Suite or Apt
State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Occupation
Years Living in New Hanover County
In accordance with Article 6: Conditions of Employment, Section 6.7, persons employed
by New Hanover County may not serve on any board, committee or commission
established by resolution or State statutes in the agency or department for which they
work and receive wages. Prior to accepting such an appointment, the employee must
terminate his/her employment with the respective agency or department.
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us about yourself and why you want to serve.
Professional Activities
Licensed attorney Former NHC Magistrate Judge Social worker and victim advocate
Jennings (Jennie)W Thomason
thomason4thecourts@gmail.com
Email Address
Applicants must reside in New Hanover County.
133 Navaho Trail
Wilmington NC 28409
City
Home: (910) 228-2885
39
Self employed Attorney
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 43
Upload a Resume
Volunteer Activities
Blue Squad Northside Co-Op
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
To serve my community and participate in positive change.
What areas of concern would you like to see addressed by this committee?
Lack of leadership opportunities for women in our community. Better support of women
experiencing unemployment and underrepresentation in our community.
Qualifications for Serving
Native and current resident of NHC Professional Woman with understanding of the
challenges and barriers that women experience in our community.
Other municipal or county boards/committees on which you are serving
N/A
Do you have a family member employed by New Hanover County?
Yes No
If yes, please provide the name of your family member and the department
they work in.
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Hon. Stephanie Walker (910) 547-8417 April Farr (910) 789-7654 Jill Hopman (917) 566-8383
Additional Comments
Demographics
Personal information collected below is to ensure a cross-section of the community is
represented.
Gender *
Female
Age
53
Jan2026.pdf
Jennings (Jennie) W Thomason
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 44
Ethnicity *
Caucasian/Non-Hispanic
If you selected “Other,” please specify.
Consent
I understand that any board or committee appointee may be removed
without cause by a majority of County Commissioners.
Yes No
I understand that information on this application is public record and may be
disclosed.
Yes No
I confirm that I have reviewed the committee information and understand the
responsibilities and expectations of serving as a committee member.
Yes No
Jennings (Jennie) W Thomason
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 45
Jennings (“Jennie”) Wells Thomason
133 Navaho Trail
Wilmington, NC 28409
(910) 228 - 2885
jenniethomason72@gmail.com
•Licensed North Carolina Attorney with over 15 years experience.
•Extensive experience in Family law, Juvenile law, civil litigation, criminal law, and court
procedures.
•Excellent research, writing and communication skills.
•Proven ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
•Skilled in problem solving, adaptability, communication, and time manage ment.
EDUCATION & LICENSURE:
Bachelor of Social Work (1994) Juris Doctor (2005)
North Carolina State University Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
Raleigh, NC University of Louisville
Louisville, KY
North Carolina Bar #34797
Admitted: 2006; Member in good standing
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:
Staff Attorney DSS/Juvenile Law
Pender County Department of Social Services, Burgaw, NC (2025)
Staff Attorney DSS/Juvenile Law
New Hanover County Department of Social Services, Wilmington, NC (2024-2025)
Magistrate Judge
State of North Carolina Judicial Branch, New Hanover County (2017-2024)
Court & Legal Advocate
Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Inc., Wilmington, NC (2014-2017)
Associate Attorney Real Estate and Foreclosure
Fletcher, Ray & Satterfield, LLP, Wilmington, NC (2010-2012)
Associate Attorney Family Law
Law Offices of Gina D. Cecil, Southport, NC (2009-2010)
Associate Attorney Family and Criminal Law
Brian J. Moore and Associates, Wilmington, NC (2008-2009)
Associate Attorney Foreclosures and Collections
Brock & Scott, PLLC, Wilmington, NC (2007-2008)
Judicial Assistant/Law Clerk for U.S. Magistrate Judge
U.S. Administrative Office of the Courts, Wilmington, NC (2005-2007)
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 2 - 46
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1
Initial Term, expiring 5/31/27
Applicant: Eligibility
Sandra Kruse Eligible for initial term
Attachments:Committee Information Sheet
Application
Committee Appointment
New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Vacancy to appoint at this time:
Term:
Nominations
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 3 - 1
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
NURSING HOME COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Number of Members: 11 State mandated; may appoint up to 16 based on the number of nursing homes.
The Nursing Home Administrators may nominate one-third of the members.
Term of Office: 1-year term initially; 3-year term thereafter
Brief on the functions: Each member shall be aware of the general conditions under which the persons
are residing in the homes, and shall work for the best interests of the persons in the homes. This may
include assisting persons who have grievances with the home and facilitati ng the resolution of grievances
at the local level. Each member shall make quarterly visits to the nursing home it serves and more often
if it is necessary to carry out the duties. Statute or cause creating Board: N.C. General Statute 131E-128.
Qualifications: Must be a resident of New Hanover County. No person or immediate family member of a
person with a financial interest in a home served by the committee, or employee or governing board
member of a home served by the committee, or immediate family member of a resident in a home served
by the New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee may be a member of this
committee. Immediate family is defined as mother, father, sister, brother, child, grandmother, and
grandfather, as well as in-laws. Applicants must complete all Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
Orientation training before being certified, designated, and appointed as a CAC volunteer . Upon
application, an Ombudsman with the Cape Fear Council of Governments will work with applicants
through the training process.
Regular Meeting: Quarterly Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of January, April, July, and October
at 3:00 p.m. at the Cape Fear Council of Governments, 1480 Harbour Drive, Wilmington, NC.
CURRENT MEMBERS
TERM OF OFFICE
APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION
Teresa Bevin
316 S. 2nd Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-200-5265 (C)
Initial 4/18/22
First 4/17/23
Second 4/20/26
4/30/23
4/30/26
4/30/29
Marianne Eisenhauer-Wall
509 Okeechobee Rd.
Wilmington, NC 28412
703-501-0811 (C)
Initial 4/16/18
First 4/15/19
Second 9/19/22
Third 4/21/25
4/30/19
4/30/22
4/30/25
4/30/28
William Harden
1056 Snowden Road
Wilmington, NC 28412
252-567-9500 (C)
Initial 1/20/26 1/31/27
Faye B. Jacobs
129 Hargrove Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28411
910-395-6297 (H) 910-508-8672 (C)
Initial 6/17/19
First 6/15/20
Second 7/17/23
6/30/20
6/30/23
6/30/26
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 3 - 2
NURSING HOME COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CONT.)
CURRENT MEMBERS
TERM OF OFFICE
APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION
Phyllis Meole
9 Brookwood Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
910-251-0913 (H) 910-231-8039 (C)
Initial 3/24/14
First 3/16/15
Second 3/12/18
Third 3/15/21
Fourth 5/20/24
3/31/15
3/31/18
3/31/21
3/31/24
3/31/27
Becky O’Daniell
1838 Kennedy Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
910-231-0250 (C)
Initial 1/22/24
First 1/21/25
1/31/25
1/31/28
Stephanie Smith
5717 Wisteria Lane
Wilmington, NC 28409
910-352-3806 (C)
Initial 12/16/19
First 12/7/20
Second 12/11/23
12/31/20
12/31/23
12/31/26
Yvette Wright
7322 Thurgood Road
Wilmington, NC 28411
301-751-0910 (C)
Initial 9/18/23
First 1/21/25
9/30/24
1/31/28
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Members Nominated by Nursing Home
Administrators: None
COG Long Term Care Ombudsman:
Holli Blackwelder
Cape Fear Council of Governments
1480 Harbour Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401
910-395-4553
Revised: 4/2026
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 3 - 3
1
Long, Melissa
From:noreply@civicplus.com
Sent:Tuesday, November 18, 2025 4:51 PM
To:Crowell, Kym; Long, Melissa; Tribley, Danielle
Subject:Online Form Submission #28836 for Board and Committee Application
** External Email: Do not click links, open attachments, or reply until you know it is safe **
Board and Committee Application
Board or Committee
Being Applied to
New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory
Committee
Appointments I understand
First Name Sandra
Last Name Kruse
Email shkruse@me.com
Home Phone 8477022588
Cell Phone Field not completed.
Business Phone Field not completed.
Fax Field not completed.
Home Address 776 Craddock Drive
City Wilmington
State NC
Zip Code 28412
Mailing Address (if
different from home
address)
Field not completed.
City Wilmington
State NC
Zip Code 28412
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 3 - 4
2
Years Living in New
Hanover County
2.5
(Section Break)
Personal information collected below is to assure a cross-section of the community
is represented.
Gender Female
Race White
Age 66
Occupation Retired
Applicant's Employer NA
Professional Activities Professional experience in Internal Audit, Compliance and Risk
Management.
Volunteer Activities Governance & Compliance Committee - Del Webb Riverlights
HOA
Why do you wish to
serve on this board or
committee?
I have experience working with nursing homes in Ohio because
of my parents and aunt (all now deceased) and think I could
use that experience and my professional experience to benefit
nursing home residents in New Hanover County.
What areas of concern
would you like to see
addressed by this
committee?
I don't have enough specific knowledge of nursing homes in
this area to answer this question. I have researched them on
Medicare.gov and it looks like there is room for improvement in
all of them.
Qualifications for
serving
Professional experience in Internal Audit, Compliance and Risk
Management. Family experience with nursing home residents.
My professional resume is available to you on request.
Other municipal or
county boards /
committees on which
you are serving
None
Do you have a family
member employed by
New Hanover County?
No
(Section Break)
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 3 - 5
3
Reference 1 Melissa Cardinali
Reference 1 Phone 919-770-6764
Reference 2 Mary Ganger
Reference 2 Phone 703-472-3445
Reference 3 John Cutler
Reference 3 Phone 703-409-8666
Additional comments Field not completed.
Upload additional
information
Field not completed.
Date 11/18/2025
Consent √ I understand that any board or committee appointee may be
removed without cause by a majority of County
Commissioners., √ I understand that information on this
application is public record and may be disclosed.
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
To help
protect your privacy,
Microsoft
Office
prevented
automatic
download of
this picture from the Internet.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 3 - 6
4/15/2026
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 3 - 7
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1
Category:
Unexpired Term:Expires 12/31/28
Applicant:Eligible for
Reappointment Category
Megan Mullins
Chamber of
Commerce
Representative
Attachments:Committee Information Sheet
Application
Nominations
Committee Appointment
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority
Vacancy to appoint at this time:
Chamber of Commerce Representative
Note: Advertising is ongoing for the Vacation Rental Properties (100+) Owner/Manager category.
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 4 - 1
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Number of Members: 15 voting members: 5 ex-officio members and 10 members appointed by the
Board of County Commissioners. The five ex-officio members are the Chairman of the Board of
County Commissioners, the Mayor of the City of Wilmington, and the Mayors of the Beach tow ns or
whomever they appoint by each elected body. The other ten members are in the following categories
and must have experience in promoting travel and tourism:
a. Owner/manager of a hotel of 150 rooms or more in the Town of Wrightsville Beach
b. Owner/manager of a hotel in the Town of Carolina Beach
c. Owner/manager of a hotel in the Town of Kure Beach
d. Owner/manager of a hotel of 150 rooms or more in the City of Wilmington
e. Owner/manager of a hotel of fewer than 150 rooms in the City of Wilmington
f. Owner/manager of a bed and breakfast facility
g. Owner/manager of company that manages and rents more than 100 vacation rental
properties
h. Representative of a tourism attraction
i. Representative of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
j. Owner/manager of a restaurant business
Term of Office: 3 years with no one serving more than two consecutive full terms (excluding Chairman
of Commissioners and Mayors).
Regular Meetings: Fourth or Fifth Wednesday of every other month at 5:30 p.m. at various locations
in the county.
Statute or cause creating Bureau: On October 3, 2002, through House Bill 1707, the North Carolina
General Assembly directed that the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners designate the Cape
Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau as a Tourism Development Authority (TDA) to promote
travel, tourism, and conventions in New Hanover County, and to administer related tourism
expenditures. The TDA shall take effect and come into creation on January 1, 2003, with all those
powers, rights and duties set forth in House Bill 1707, Session 2001. The Authority shall hereinafter
be known and operated as the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d.b.a. Cape Fear
Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.
CURRENT MEMBERS
CATEGORY
TERM OF OFFICE
APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION
Jamie Alfalla
Wilmington, NC
516-732-5498 (H)
Bed & Breakfast
Owner/Manager
Unexpired 2/16/26 12/31/27
Zachary Brigman, Vice Chair
Wilmington, NC
910-520-2305 (C) 910-765-1131 (W)
Wilmington Hotel
(+150)
Owner/Manager
Unexpired
12/20/21
First 12/11/23
12/31/23
12/31/26
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 4 - 2
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CONT.) PAGE 2
CURRENT MEMBERS
CATEGORY
TERM OF OFFICE
APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION
Nicole Jones, Secretary
Wilmington, NC
910-262-6115 (C) 910-313-0824 (H) 910-
395-8224 (W)
Wilmington Hotel
(≤ 150)
Owner/Manager
Unexpired 11/13/18
First 12/7/20
Second 12/11/23
12/31/20
12/31/23
12/31/26
Angela Rhodes
Wilmington, NC
910-777-9551 (C)
Restaurant
Owner/Manager
First 12/17/12
Second 12/14/15
Third 1/22/19
Fourth 12/20/21
Fifth 12/16/24
12/31/15
12/31/18
12/31/21
12/31/24
12/31/27
Holli Saperstein
Wilmington, NC
623-341-2588 (C)
Tourist Attraction First 12/15/25 12/31/28
Cassandra Tollens
Carolina Beach, NC
843-343-3210 (C)
Kure Beach Hotel
Owner/Manager
First 12/15/25 12/31/28
Tom Ullring
Wilmington, NC
910-458-2614 (W) 336-402-6270 (C)
Carolina Beach
Hotel
Owner/Manager
First 2/17/20
Second 12/5/22
Third 4/20/26
12/31/22
12/31/25
12/31/28
Meaghan Walsh
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
305-302-2681 (C)
Wrightsville
Beach
Hotel
Owner/Manager
Unexpired 3/16/26 12/31/26
VACANT
Chamber of
Commerce
Representative
12/31/28
VACANT
Vacation Rental
Properties (100+)
Owner/Manager
12/31/26
Ex-officio Members:
LeAnn Pierce, County Commissioner New Hanover
County
Commissioner
1/9/23 Undesignated
Mayor Lynn Barbee, Chair Carolina Beach 12/21 Undesignated
Mayor Allen Oliver Kure Beach 12/23 Undesignated
Mayor Bill Saffo City of
Wilmington
12/09 Undesignated
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 4 - 3
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CONT.) PAGE 3
CURRENT MEMBERS
CATEGORY
TERM OF OFFICE
APPOINTMENT EXPIRATION
Alderman Zeke Partin Wrightsville
Beach
12/22 Undesignated
Eric Credle, Treasurer NHC Chief
Finance Officer
7/22 Undesignated
Contact: Kim Hufham, President/CEO
Wilmington and Beaches CVB
929 N. Front Street, Suite 410
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-341-4030 (W), 910-520-9194 (C), 910-341-4029 (F)
Revised: 4/2026
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 4 - 4
Submit Date: Apr 14, 2026New Hanover County, NC Boards, Commissions, & Committees
Application Form
Profile
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority: Submitted
Megan Mullins
First Name Middle
Initial
Last Name
Home Address Suite or Apt
State Postal Code
Primary Phone Alternate Phone
Employer Occupation
Question applies to New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority
Category *
Representative of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Years Living in New Hanover County
In accordance with Article 6: Conditions of Employment, Section 6.7, persons employed
by New Hanover County may not serve on any board, committee or commission
established by resolution or State statutes in the agency or department for which they
work and receive wages. Prior to accepting such an appointment, the employee must
terminate his/her employment with the respective agency or department.
Interests & Experiences
Please tell us about yourself and why you want to serve.
Megan Mullins
mullins@wilmingtonchamber.org
Email Address
Applicants must reside in New Hanover County.
3752 Mason Port Drive.
Wilmington NC 28409
City
Mobile: (910) 547-9567
20+
Greater Wilmington Chamber
of Commerce
Chief Communications and
Public Affairs Officer
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 4 - 5
Professional Activities
I am a marketing and communications leader with nearly 20 years of experience driving
business growth and community impact, including more than six years with the Wilmington
Chamber of Commerce. As Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer, I lead strategic
communications, marketing, and advocacy efforts that elevate key issues like infrastructure,
workforce development, and education. I’m proud to have been recognized nationally and
regionally for this work, including being named to the Association of Chamber of Commerce
Executives 40 Under 40, receiving a Communications Excellence Award from the Carolinas
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and being recognized multiple times as a
Greater Wilmington Business Journal Biz100 Connector. My background includes leadership
roles with Port City Java and my own firm where I built a strong foundation in brand strategy,
digital marketing, and team development. I am also pursuing my IOM certification through
the U.S. Chamber Foundation and remain committed to strengthening the community I
serve.
Volunteer Activities
I am passionate about serving in ways that reflect what matters most to me: children,
education, a strong and balanced economy, and preserving the unique quality of life in our
community. I currently serve on the board of the Child Development Center, supporting
preschool children with exceptional needs and helping ensure every child has access to a
strong start. Previously, I served on the board of the Historic Wilmington Foundation, working
to protect the character and history of our region. I am driven by a commitment to building
strong teams, thriving businesses, and healthy communities, and I value opportunities to
contribute in meaningful, lasting ways.
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
I am interested in serving on the Tourism Development Authority because I care deeply
about preserving what makes our community special while supporting a strong, balanced
economy. Tourism is a key driver of that balance, and I’ve seen its impact from multiple
perspectives. Earlier in my career in the restaurant industry, I experienced firsthand how
tourism directly supports local businesses at a very granular level. Today, through my work
with the Chamber, I’ve also seen how strategic tourism marketing contributes to broader
outcomes, including population growth and increased investment in our region. I currently
serve on the Riverwalk Committee for the TDA, which has given me insight into how tourism
investments shape both the visitor experience and quality of life for residents. I would bring
a thoughtful, aligned approach focused on supporting businesses, workforce needs, and
sustainable growth while preserving the unique character of our community.
What areas of concern would you like to see addressed by this committee?
I would like to see the committee continue to focus on balancing tourism growth with quality
of life for residents. As our region grows, it is important that tourism investments support not
only visitor experience, but also infrastructure, workforce housing, transportation, and public
spaces that residents rely on every day. I am also interested in ensuring tourism strategies
align with the needs of local businesses, particularly small and locally owned companies that
directly benefit from visitor spending. Supporting a strong workforce pipeline for hospitality
and service industries is another critical area. Additionally, I believe we should prioritize
thoughtful placemaking, including continued investment in assets like the Riverwalk, while
protecting the unique character that draws people here in the first place.
Megan Mullins
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 4 - 6
Upload a Resume
Qualifications for Serving
I bring a strong understanding of how tourism, economic development, and talent attraction
intersect through my work with the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, where I have served
for more than six years and currently lead as Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer.
In this role, I work closely with business leaders, elected officials, and community partners to
advance priorities tied to growth, infrastructure, workforce, and quality of life. I also manage
our regional talent attraction initiative, NC Career Coast, which is designed to promote our
area as a place to live, work, and build a career. There is a natural alignment between this
work and the mission of the Tourism Development Authority, particularly in how we position
our community to both visitors and prospective residents.
Other municipal or county boards/committees on which you are serving
NA
Do you have a family member employed by New Hanover County?
Yes No
If yes, please provide the name of your family member and the department
they work in.
List three local personal references and phone numbers
Natalie English, President and CEO of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, 704-
968-0956 Lisa Leath, Chief People Officer at Vantaca, 607-368-8838 Neil Andrew, Owner of
Andrew Consulting Engineers, 910-547-5555
Additional Comments
Demographics
Personal information collected below is to ensure a cross-section of the community is
represented.
Gender *
Female
Age
42
Ethnicity *
Caucasian/Non-Hispanic
If you selected “Other,” please specify.
Megan Mullins
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 4 - 7
Consent
I understand that any board or committee appointee may be removed
without cause by a majority of County Commissioners.
Yes No
I understand that information on this application is public record and may be
disclosed.
Yes No
I confirm that I have reviewed the committee information and understand the
responsibilities and expectations of serving as a committee member.
Yes No
Megan Mullins
Board of Commissioners - May 18, 2026
ITEM: 9 - 4 - 8