Here’s what you missed at the May 1 Brunswick County Board of Commissioners FY24 budget workshop and regular meeting

05.02.2023

Here’s what you missed at the May 1 Brunswick County Board of Commissioners FY24 budget workshop and regular meeting

MEDIA RELEASE

BOLIVIA, N.C. – The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners met for a Fiscal Year 2024 budget workshop at 10 a.m. and a regular meeting at 3 p.m. this Monday, May 1, 2023.

Below is a quick recap of the actions taken on selected agenda items during the regular meeting. Residents can view the full agenda and accompanying reports on the Brunswick County CivicClerk Agenda Portal at brunswickcountync.gov/agendas.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 15 at 6 p.m.

Meeting Recap (Budget Workshop at 10 a.m.)

During this special budget workshop, staff presented the preliminary budget, rate and fee recommendations, and information on the revenue neutral rate calculations for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24). There are no proposed changes to water and sewer rates in FY24. The workshop presentations are available on the Brunswick County CivicClerk Agenda Portal.

The preliminary FY24 budget uses a tentative property tax (ad valorem) rate of 33.70 cents, which is the revenue neutral rate for Brunswick County. This rate is lower than the County’s current FY23 property tax rate of 48.50 cents. The recommended property tax rate is still subject to change as the budget is finalized.

Remaining Key Dates for FY24 Recommended Budget:

All of the following dates take place during regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners meetings held in the Commissioners’ Chambers at the David R. Sandifer Administration Building at 30 Government Center Drive in Bolivia (28422).

  • Monday, May 15 at 6 p.m.: Presentation of the FY24 recommended budget
  • Monday, June 5 at 3 p.m.: Public hearing on the FY24 recommended budget
  • Monday, June 19 at 6 p.m.: Board of Commissioners will consider adoption of the FY24 recommended budget as presented on this date

The preliminary budget addresses changes to the County’s water and sewer system development fees, which are one-time fees for new permitted developments 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 is currently accepting public comment on the latest analysis report for these development fees through May 22, 2023, at brunswickcountync.gov/2023-system-development-fee-analysis.

Meeting Recap (Regular Meeting at 3 p.m.)

VI. Appointment of Sheriff
  1. Administration – Resolution Appointing Brian Chism as Sheriff of Brunswick County: The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the appointment of Chief Deputy Brian Chism to the position of Sheriff of Brunswick County. Sheriff Chism was sworn into office following the approval of the resolution.

Chairman Randy Thompson recessed the meeting for 10 minutes and called it back to order at 3:45 p.m.

VII. Presentations
  1. Clerk to the Board – Water and Sewer Infrastructure Funding Petition: The Board of Commissioners received a presentation from Mr. Carl Parker, Brunswick County NAACP President, regarding the funding petition for water and sewer infrastructure. Staff will review the petition and reach out to their consultants at Ward and Smith to see if there are federal opportunities to support water and sewer infrastructure needs related to the petition.
  2. Emergency Services – Brunswick County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP): The Board of Commissioners received a presentation on Brunswick County’s new Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). The Board will review the plans and consider adopting them at the next regular meeting on Monday, May 15.
IX. Administrative Report
  1. Utilities – Wastewater Master Plan Approval: The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the Wastewater Master Plan prepared by McKim & Creed, Inc., dated March 2023. The plan projects the future wastewater needs of the County for the next 20 years. The plan notes multiple expansions of the County’s six wastewater treatment plants as well as identifies 42 force main projects and multiple lift station upgrades to meet the growing sewer demands within the County.
  2. Planning – Community Enforcement Approach Options: Following a request during the regular meeting on April 3, 2023, staff presented possible updated approaches to the community enforcement process. The Board and staff discussed the options; no action was taken. Staff will consider the Board’s discussion and bring their final recommendations to the Board for possible approval at a future meeting. The presentation is available on the Brunswick County CivicClerk Agenda Portal.

More information about Board of Commissioners meetings is at brunswickcountync.gov/board-commissioners.

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Media Inquiries

For media inquiries, contact the Communications Director Meagan Kascsak at 910.253.2995 or email meagan.kascsak@brunswickcountync.gov.

Brunswick County Board of Commissioners holds FY24 budget workshop and regular meeting Monday, May 1

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/news.

MEDIA RELEASE

BOLIVIA, N.C. – The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners will meet this Monday, May 1 for a Fiscal Year 2024 budget workshop at 10 a.m. and a regular meeting at 3 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.

A resolution to approve the appointment of Chief Deputy Brian Chism to the position of Sheriff of Brunswick County will also take place during the regular meeting at 3 p.m.

The commissioners’ chambers are on the first floor of the David R. Sandifer Administration Building at 30 Government Center Drive in Bolivia (28422).

View the full agenda and accompanying reports at brunswickcountync.gov/agendas.

FY24 Budget Workshop Preview (Begins at 10 a.m.)

During this special budget workshop, staff will present the preliminary budget, rate and fee recommendations, and information on the revenue neutral rate calculations for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24). There are no proposed changes to water and sewer rates in FY24.

The preliminary budget addresses changes to the County’s water and sewer system development fees, which are one-time fees for new permitted developments 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 is currently accepting public comment on the latest analysis report for these development fees through May 22, 2023, at brunswickcountync.gov/2023-system-development-fee-analysis.

Agenda Preview (Regular Meeting begins at 3 p.m.)

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. Appointment of Sheriff
  1. Administration – Resolution Appointing Brian Chism as Sheriff of Brunswick County: Request the Board of Commissioners approve the appointment of Chief Deputy Brian Chism to the position of Sheriff of Brunswick County.
VII. Presentations
  1. Clerk to the Board – Water and Sewer Infrastructure Funding Petition: Request the Board of Commissioners receive a presentation from Mr. Carl Parker, Brunswick County NAACP President, regarding the Funding Petition for water and sewer infrastructure.
  2. Emergency Services – Brunswick County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP): Request the Board of Commissioners receive Brunswick County’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and approve them for adoption and implementation.
IX. Administrative Report
  1. Utilities – Wastewater Master Plan Approval: Request the Board of Commissioners approve the Wastewater Master Plan prepared by McKim & Creed, Inc., dated March 2023.

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.

More information about Board of Commissioners meetings and public comment policies is at brunswickcountync.gov/board-commissioners.

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Media Inquiries

For media inquiries, contact the Communications Director Meagan Kascsak at 910.253.2995 or email meagan.kascsak@brunswickcountync.gov

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