The first June meeting of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners featured important discussions around equality for all, a tax decrease for the Fiscal Year 23-24 budget and much more. Check out the meeting highlights below.
A focus on men’s health, advocating for equality
To start the regular agenda items, Commissioners unanimously approved a pair of proclamations for National Men’s Health Month and Pride Month. Both proclamations span the entire month of June and are intended to bring awareness to the important issues surrounding these topics. You can check out the Men’s Health Month Proclamation here and the Pride Month Proclamation here.
Amended budget with tax cut approved
Following a public hearing on the recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 and a public hearing on economic development and economic incentives appropriations for the coming fiscal year, Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve an amended budget that features a half-cent property tax cut, bringing the county’s tax rate down to 45 cents per $100 of assessed value.
The budget, which will go into effect on July 1, features more than $128.5 million in funding for public education, $3 million as the second of five installments for affordable housing initiatives, nearly $1.5 million in direct economic development investments and incentives, use of escrow funds from the hospital sale for mental health and community building initiatives and much more. An overview of the budget can be found here.
That’s not all …
Chief District Court Judge J.H. Corpening presented Commissioners with the 2023 Annual Community Child Protection Team Report, which highlighted the need for continued and expanded support of young people through a variety of services. Commissioners thanked the team for their important work to serve the children of our community and enhance education and resources around child abuse and neglect. You can see the report here.
Planning & Land Use held a public hearing on a text amendment that clarifies expectations and standards for Community Information Meetings. These meetings are used to inform residents about rezonings, planning developments and intensive industry special use permits that could be happening in the community and the impact these changes could have. The text amendment was unanimously approved.
You can view the June 5 meeting here and below. The next regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners is set for 9 a.m. on June 19.
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners holds its regularly scheduled meetings on the first and third Monday of each month, unless otherwise noted. These meetings take place at the New Hanover County Historic Courthouse (24 North 3rd Street, Room 301). A schedule of the 2023 meetings can be found here.
All meetings are broadcast live on NHCTV.com, New Hanover County's YouTube channel and Spectrum channel 13. For meeting agendas, minutes and exhibits, visit Commissioners.NHCgov.com.