November 02, 2026 Board of County Commissioners Meeting

The November 2, 2026 Pender County Board of Commissioners meeting included a discussion of the county’s Infrastructure and Controlled Growth initiative, focused on a 20-year utility and growth framework and a comprehensive water and wastewater implementation plan. Staff presented a draft implementation charter for board feedback, with a baseline and priority report expected in mid-to-late December and quarterly progress reports to follow. The county reported submitting an approximately $4.3 million State Revolving Fund application for the first phase of the Northwest Pender water project and encouraged public advocacy for pending funding. Staff said specialized outside work may require procurement after project scopes are developed; no procurement award or spending approval was made for the initiative. The county also reported that athletic-field lighting replacement work had begun, with pole bases installed, but gave no project cost or vendor information.

The board approved an ordinance amendment allowing county-employed range safety officers to possess or carry firearms while performing assigned duties, and requested a broader ordinance discussion at the November 16 meeting. The Long Creek rezoning hearing was postponed to November 16 at the applicant’s request. Public comments raised concerns about western Pender County water service, wastewater planning, development impacts, and potential impact fees; the county attorney noted that impact fees are generally restricted, while utility system development fees are authorized under specific rules. No contract award, bid approval, or vendor selection was identified.