New Bern Board of Aldermen Work Session October 13, 2026

The City of New Bern Board of Aldermen held a work session on October 13, 2026. On feral cats, veterinary and nonprofit animal-welfare experts recommended first mapping and assessing community-cat colonies before selecting interventions or estimating resources. The discussion covered a community-led census and task force, coordination with Craven County and neighboring jurisdictions, affordable spay/neuter access, and the distinction between managed colonies and nuisance or hoarding situations. Staff will develop a proposed approach for the board to review, potentially in November or December; no census budget, contract, or program award was approved. The board also approved a 10-minute public-comment period on the issue, over the mayor’s objection.

The main spending discussion concerned utility infrastructure and financing. Staff and financial advisers reviewed a fiscal 2027–2031 capital improvement plan of about $178 million for water, sewer, and electric systems, with approximately $150 million contemplated from revenue bonds and $28 million from cash. Electric projects account for just under $125 million of the plan; initial financing discussions focused on water and electric projects, with bids and the fiscal 2026 audit needed before seeking Local Government Commission approval. Advisers recommended rate adjustments in their projections—2.5% for electric and 4.9% each for water and wastewater—to support borrowing and system finances; these were not approved at the work session. Officials also discussed a proposed $21 million peak-shaving generation investment and estimated potential annual power-cost avoidance of about $5.4 million, but it was not included in the projections. The board gave informal direction, with four members indicating support, for administration to continue developing the presented financing and infrastructure plans; no bond issuance or project contract was formally authorized or awarded.