courthouse-clocktowerHere in New Hanover County, the community, elected officials and county staff cooperate to balance a high quality of life with a progressive business and economic climate.

At less than 200 square miles, New Hanover County is the second smallest – geographically – of the 100 North Carolina counties; however, it is home to more than 232,000 people.

New Hanover County is not just a great place in which to live or visit. New Hanover County is also a great place to do business. Tourism, film production, the service and retail sectors are the engines that power our economy.

Our Mission: New Hanover County is committed to progressive public policy, superior service, courteous contact, judicious exercise of authority, and sound fiscal management to meet the needs and concerns of our citizens today and tomorrow.

The government of New Hanover County is committed to ensuring that you are safe, healthy and secure; that is our promise to you.

New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet serves as chief administrator of county government and maintains responsibility for administering all departments under the general control of the five-member Board of Commissioners.

The county manager’s work includes the development of the county’s annual budget. The budget is the policy document, financial plan, and operations guide and communications device of county government. It reflects the county’s response to the needs of the community and residents’ requests for services. New Hanover County’s government is operating on a $399.6 million multi-fund budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2020 and ends June 30, 2021. In addition, the county also administers $294 million in state and federal funding. Through this $693 million, the county serves more than 233,000 residents.

In addition, the manager and his executive leadership team are responsible for aligning the operations of the county to the adopted strategic plan and advancing the county’s mission and vision through five key focus areas: superior education and workforce, superior public health and safety, intelligent growth and economic development, strong financial performance, and effective county management.

Mr. Coudriet has served as the county manager since July 2012. Prior to his appointment, he served as assistant county manager for New Hanover County for four years and as county manager in Franklin and Washington counties, N.C.

Mr. Coudriet has twenty-five years of public administration experience, with fifteen years as a county manager or assistant county manager in North Carolina. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from East Carolina University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

He is a native of eastern North Carolina. Chris and his wife, Leigh, and two children Montgomery and Silas, reside in Wilmington.

New Hanover County’s work is aligned with five shared values: Professionalism, Integrity, Innovation, Stewardship, and Accountability. The county’s employees consistently exemplify these values and go above and beyond in carrying out the mission to serve the county’s citizens.

Learn more about the county’s mission, vision, and strategy here.

New Hanover County has received the final economic development target analysis report from Jay Garner titled Pathways to Prosperity: New Hanover County’s Plan for Jobs and Investment and it’s critical companion piece, the Competitive Realties Report.

Manager's Message

New Hanover County 2017 revaluation update

Posted September 16, 2015 at 4:36 pm

At a minimum, each of North Carolina’s 100 counties is required to conduct a reassessment of property values (revaluation) every 8 years. In order to best prepare a baseline for budgeting, New Hanover County has elected to follow a revaluation schedule that is more routine than an 8 year cycle. In fact, the county is undergoing a revaluation now, which is intended to become effective January 1, 2017. The last revaluation, which was completed in January 1, 2012, demonstrated that the county’s overall property value dropped by 15 percent or $5 billion as a result of the real estate collapse.

You can find a copy of a PowerPoint presentation that was given to the Board of Commissioners on September 14, at the end of this blog. The presentation which was done by our senior county tax officials outlines where the county currently stands with the revaluation process. Here are some key facts regarding the revaluation effort:

  • New Hanover County is conducting its first “full measure and list” since at least the early 1990s, which means each parcel will be physically reviewed;
  • New Hanover County has approximately 100,000 parcels that are or will be measured and listed for the purpose of assigning a value;
  • New Hanover County began its field work intending to measure and list every parcel in the county in October 2013;
  • Appraisers wearing red shirts and carrying identification indicating they represent the County will be working in your neighborhood;
  • Appraisers have been to nearly 57,000 residential parcels to date (70.6% of the total number of parcels);
  • Appraisers will complete field work, meaning every parcel will be personally evaluated, by the end of April 2016;
  • If a homeowner is not home to speak with the appraiser, a hang-tag will be left on the door;
  • Additional follow-up by mail will be done so that all residents have an opportunity to provide input;
  • New Hanover County Commissioners will set, by public vote, a schedule of values that guide property values in September 2016;
  • Property owners will begin to receive their individual tax values from the tax office in January 2017;
  • Appeals of property values will begin in January 2017 and can be heard by the Board of Equalization and Review beginning in April 2017.

I hope this summary and the PowerPoint help you understand this important project. Should you have additional questions, please let us know.

County completes successful bond sale

Posted August 31, 2015 at 8:29 am

August 27, 2015 finalized what the county has worked so hard to build and maintain – the ability to secure voter-approved bonds at the best and lowest rate possible. With … Read More »

Bond Issues Represent Voter-Approved Investments In Our Future

Posted August 17, 2015 at 11:27 am

What follows is a blog that I posted to The Greater Wilmington Business Journal at the end of July just before the county went to the bond market to secure … Read More »

New Hanover County on Social Media

Posted July 8, 2015 at 12:20 pm

Social media provides you with ways to stay in touch with county government. These tools connect you with immediate access to breaking news, information, programs & events and meeting schedules. … Read More »

FY15-16 Budget Highlights

Posted June 23, 2015 at 2:13 pm

Monday, June 22 the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners approved its budget for fiscal year 2015-2016, which begins July 1. The budget approved does not look altogether different than … Read More »