Pender County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pender County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
DSS funding for federal H.R. 1 implementation
The county was slated to accept $254,546.89 to cover extra social services administrative costs tied to federal Medicaid eligibility changes under H.R. 1.
PAS-TRAN Public Transportation Funding
PAS-TRAN is the county's only public transportation service, providing 21,128 rides last year including 1,811 wheelchair trips. The board was asked to hold a hearing on and approve $165,908 in local match funding for federal grants that keep the buses running.
Tax Collection and Foreclosure
The board was set to take up the 2025 tax settlement, an order to collect 2026 and prior tax years, and a discussion of tax foreclosure and associated legal services.
Housing Voucher Program Shortfall
Two housing items were slated: a Project Based Voucher housing assistance contract and a resolution to cover a projected Housing Choice Voucher shortfall using the county's unrestricted net position. Together they address how the county keeps rental assistance flowing for lower-income residents.
2026 Property Tax Revaluation Suspended
Dozens of residents complained their property appraisals were inaccurate and inconsistent, and the board unanimously suspended the 2026 revaluation, hired a reviewer for Vincent Valuations' figures, and moved the revaluation to 2027. The county paid the firm about $2.3 million.
County fund balance use
The county has $68.6 million in fund balance, which drops to about $48 million after planned uses. Commissioners discussed whether to use some of it — one time — to help the schools.
FY 2026-2027 County Budget
Commissioners are working through department-by-department spending requests ahead of the proposed budget's release at the first June meeting. The county is targeting a revenue-neutral property tax rate, and tax collections are running ahead of last year.
2026 Personnel Policy changes
New policy folds volunteer, bereavement, and mental health leave into PTO, ends banking holidays worked, and incorporates Fire/EMS shifts — with on-call pay and EMS pay to be revisited.
Proposed budget with 2-cent tax increase
County Manager Sawyer said the new budget coming June 15 includes a 2-cent tax increase. Groves flatly opposed it and Tate called it an insult to taxpayers given unresolved appraisal appeal errors.
Child Care Assistance Prioritization
The county adopted a policy setting the order in which families get subsidized child care funds; it passed 3-1.
Outside agency and nonprofit funding requests
A dozen-plus agencies and nonprofits — from Pender Adult Services ($422,455) to the Arts Council ($10,000) — pitched the county for next year's funding. Collectively these dollars support seniors, veterans, food assistance, arts, history, and youth programs countywide.
Fate of the old DHHS building
Renovating the old DHHS building is likely off the table — asbestos and sewer problems make it cost-prohibitive, according to the facilities director.
NC Capital Needs Based Grant / Tier Status
Pender keeps losing the state school construction grant because it's classified tier 3 — grants go to tier 1 and 2 counties. The county's last ask was $62 million for a new high school. Leaders plan to lobby Raleigh to fix the tier classification.
Newspaper Advertising Spending
The county switched its legal ads to the Wilmington Star-News, and spending dropped compared to years with the Pender-Topsail Post and Voice — though the comparison isn't apples-to-apples since only legally required ads were placed. George asked for a better comparison.
County Trash Fees for Private-Hauler Customers
Commissioner Tate flagged that residents who hire private trash companies still pay the county's trash fee because those haulers use county convenience sites. He asked whether the GFL contract pricing could be renegotiated.