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

2014 Citizen Survey Results

Posted March 23, 2015 at 10:48 am

More than 1,300 of you responded to the second New Hanover County Citizens Survey during October and November 2014. The county sent 4,000 randomly selected households a survey instrument with the intent of gauging your satisfaction and perceptions of New Hanover County as a community and your satisfaction and perceptions of New Hanover County government services. The response rate was nearly 30 percent; customarily citizen surveys have a 20 percent response. It’s clear that as a community you wanted to be heard. I’m so pleased you took the time to complete the survey in paper form or on line.

County staff presented the results to the county commission at its FY 2015-2016 budget planning session Friday, March 20. Before the board even began the process of setting strategic priorities March 20, it heard the results of the citizens survey. As a community, you identified high quality and divers job growth, reducing and preventing crime, and preparing students for the 21st Century as your top 3 priorities – the board, in turn, set its priorities to match yours.

The survey results and the analysis are chock-a-block full of good information that will guide policy recommendations and governing decisions for the next 2 years. I hope you find time to read the executive summary, review the survey results themselves, and reference the PowerPoint slide deck on occasion. All are available on the administration page on nhcgov.com for your easy access and use.

Our Vision

Posted February 27, 2015 at 1:39 pm

As a resident, local business owner, or someone who visits New Hanover County, I hope you’ll spend time “surfing” our most effective tool for teaching and communicating about the success … Read More »

Some Early Legislative Success

Posted February 3, 2015 at 2:01 pm

In mid-January the New Hanover County Commission was successful in securing 2 statewide legislative goals on the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ legislative agenda. Both of these goal-issues have … Read More »

2015

Posted January 5, 2015 at 2:27 pm

2014 is in the rear view mirror. While much was accomplished and we’re proud of what we got done, nonetheless, everyone on staff at New Hanover County is focused on … Read More »

Strategic Plan Progress Metrics

Posted December 19, 2014 at 10:20 am

In 2012 the county committed fully to advancing its strategic plan (you can find the entire plan here) by formulating its annual budget around policy focus areas and articulating 6 … Read More »