MEDIA RELEASE
BOLIVIA, N.C. – The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners met for a regular meeting at 6 p.m. this Monday, May 20, 2024. The recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (FY25) was presented during this meeting.
The FY25 recommended budget will guide Brunswick County’s operations and services from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. It includes the recommended budget ordinance, capital improvement plan, and schedule of fees for FY25.
There are no proposed changes to the current property tax (ad valorem) rate of 34.20 cents in the FY25 budget. There are no proposed changes to retail (residential) water and wastewater rates in FY25, but there are proposed changes to certain water and wastewater fees and wholesale wastewater rates.
The budget addresses recommended changes to the County’s water and wastewater system development fees, which are one-time fees for new development joining either or both of the County’s utilities systems. Any changes to the County’s system development fees will not impact existing Brunswick County Public Utilities water and/or sewer customers. Brunswick County presented the analysis report findings concerning these fees and conducted a 45-day public comment period earlier this year.
Community members are welcome to share feedback with the Commissioners on the FY25 recommended budget. The Board of Commissioners will consider adopting the budget during the regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 17, 2024, so you are encouraged to share your comments as soon as possible.
Here’s how you can share your comments on the FY25 budget with the Board:
- Participate in the FY25 recommended budget public hearing during the regular meeting on Monday, June 3 at 3 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Chambers at the David R. Sandifer Administration Building (30 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422)
- Email your comments to boardclerk@brunswickcountync.gov (Subject Line: FY25 Budget)
- Mail your comments using the following address:
Attn: Clerk to the Board of Commissioners
PO Box 249
Bolivia, NC 28422
Below is a quick recap of the actions taken on selected agenda items during the meeting. Residents can view the full agendas and accompanying reports and subscribe to agenda notifications on the Brunswick County Agenda and Minutes Portal.
Brunswick County live streamed these meetings via Zoom. Individuals are invited to share feedback on the live stream quality and experience to the Communications Department via email.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 3 at 3 p.m. The Board will hold a public hearing on the FY25 budget during this meeting.
Meeting Recap
V. Approval of Consent Agenda
The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the consent agenda as presented. The full list of the approved consent agenda items is available on the Brunswick County Agenda and Minutes Portal.
VI. Presentations
- Clerk to the Board – Trillium Annual Report: The Board received the annual report from Cecelia Peers of Trillium. No action was taken. The full presentation is available in the meeting’s agenda packet.
- EMS – EMS Week 2024 Proclamation: The Board unanimously moved to recognize EMS Week 2024 with a proclamation.
- Sheriff’s Office – Animal Protective Services Adoption Center Project: The Board received the Sheriff's Office presentation on the Animal Protective Services Adoption Center project, which is part of the County's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Staff recommends debt financing to cover the cost of the project, and no tax increase is proposed to cover this project. No action was taken on this item. The Board will consider approval of the project as part of the FY25 recommended budget. Information on the project’s needs assessment study is available in this this meeting’s agenda packet.
VII. Administrative Report
- Administration – Recommended Budget Ordinance, Capital Improvement Plan, Schedule of Fees for FY 2025: The Board received the Recommended Budget Ordinance, Capital Improvement Plan, and Schedule of Fees for FY 2025, and scheduled a public hearing on the matter for June 3, 2024, at 3 p.m. No action was taken. The FY25 recommended budget is available for view or download in this meeting’s agenda packet.
VIII. Board Appointments
- Clerk to the Board – 2024 Annual Board Appointments: The Board appointed or re-appointed members to the various boards/committees/commissions the Commissioners are responsible for appointing. The full list of appointed or re-appointed members will be included in the official minutes for the May 20 meeting. The Board will consider appointments or re-appointments to any remaining open seats at future meetings.
IX. Other Business/Informal Discussion
- Senate Bill 675 Request: Vice Chairman Mike Forte moved to rescind the Board’s request to the N.C. General Assembly to include Brunswick County in a section of Senate Bill 675 concerning the removal of extraterritorial planning jurisdictions (ETJ) in the county and to further consider and discuss the original request. Commissioner Marty Cooke seconded the motion. The motion was denied 3-2 (No: Thompson, Sykes, Williams; Yes: Forte, Cooke). Commissioner Frank Williams moved to send an amendment to the letter to the N.C. General Assembly to ask the legislature to consider unintended consequences and adverse impacts of removing ETJs. Commissioner Pat Sykes seconded the motion. The motion was approved 3-2 (Yes: Thompson, Sykes, Williams; No: Forte, Cooke).
- NACo Representative: The Board unanimously moved to appoint Commissioner Frank Williams as the Board’s voting delegate at the 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference.
Learn more about Board of Commissioners meetings and public comment policies.
-30-
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, contact Communications Director Meagan Kascsak.
Stay Informed
Board of Commissioners receive FY25 recommended budget during regular meeting Monday, May 20
Media Inquiries: Media are requested to contact Brunswick County Communications by noon the day of the meeting to help facilitate requests for interviews before or directly after board meetings. Brunswick County will post a recap of the meeting with actions taken at brunswickcountync.gov.
MEDIA RELEASE
BOLIVIA, N.C. – The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners will meet for a regular meeting at 6 p.m. this Monday, May 20, 2024. The recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (FY25) will be presented during this meeting. The public is welcome to attend in person or watch live online via Zoom (details below).
The commissioners’ chambers are on the first floor of the David R. Sandifer Administration Building at 30 Government Center Drive in Bolivia (28422).
The FY25 recommended budget will guide Brunswick County’s operations and services from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. It includes the recommended budget ordinance, capital improvement plan, and schedule of fees for FY25.
There are no proposed changes to the current property tax (ad valorem) rate of 34.20 cents in the FY25 budget. There are no proposed changes to retail (residential) water and wastewater rates in FY25, but there are proposed changes to certain water and wastewater fees and wholesale wastewater rates.
The budget addresses recommended changes to the County’s water and wastewater system development fees, which are one-time fees for new development joining either or both of the County’s utilities systems. Any changes to the County’s system development fees will not impact existing Brunswick County Public Utilities water and/or sewer customers. Brunswick County presented the analysis report findings concerning these fees and conducted a 45-day public comment period earlier this year.
View the full agenda and accompanying reports and subscribe to agenda notifications on the Brunswick County Agenda and Minutes Portal.
Watch via Zoom Live Stream
Brunswick County offers a live stream of this meeting via Zoom. The meetings are set up for live streaming only. The meeting footage will not be recorded or archived.
Individuals are invited to share feedback on the live stream quality and experience via email Brunswick County Communications.
Click the link below to watch the meeting live via Zoom:
Agenda Preview
Below are a few selected items from the agenda that the Board of Commissioners will discuss and take possible action on during the regular meeting.
VI. Presentations
- Clerk to the Board – Trillium Annual Report: Recommend the Board receive the annual report from Ceclia Peers of Trillium.
- EMS – EMS Week 2024 Proclamation: Request the Board recognize EMS Week 2024 with the attached proclamation.
- Sheriff’s Office – Animal Protective Services Adoption Center Project: Request the Board receive the Sheriff's Office presentation on the Animal Protective Services Adoption Center project, which is part of the County's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
VII. Administrative Report
- Administration – Recommended Budget Ordinance, Capital Improvement Plan, Schedule of Fees for FY 2025: Request the Board receive the Recommended Budget Ordinance, Capital Improvement Plan, and Schedule of Fees for FY 2025, and schedule a public hearing on the matter for June 3, 2024, at 3 p.m. The FY25 recommended budget is available for view or download in the agenda packet for the May 20, 2024, regular meeting.
VIII. Board Appointments
- Clerk to the Board – 2024 Annual Board Appointments: Request the Board appoint or re-appoint members to the various boards/committees/commissions the Commissioners are responsible for appointing.
Public Comment and Hearings
Most regular meetings include a time for public comment before the commissioners at the beginning of the meeting. Some meetings also have public hearings for specific issues. The public hearings are similar to a public comment period but pertain to one topic.
Individuals wishing to speak during a public hearing should sign up before the meeting starts on the form at the door dedicated to public hearings. This form is separate from the form used to sign up for public comments at the beginning of the meeting.
Speakers wishing to distribute any related documents, printed comments or materials to the commissioners should deliver at least eight copies to the county clerk at least fifteen minutes before the meeting starts.
Learn more about Board of Commissioners meetings and public comment policies.
-30-
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, contact Communications Director Meagan Kascsak.
Stay Informed