New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Agenda Review - October 1, 2026

New Hanover County Board of Commissioners agenda review, October 1, 2026: Staff reviewed the county’s mental health and substance use disorder strategic plan update. The county has spent about $25 million from opioid settlement and mental health funds; staff reported approximately $26 million remaining from about $38 million in opioid settlement funds and $38 million remaining from the mental health and substance use escrow fund, with roughly $100 million in community investment projected by the end of the plan. The board discussed outcome data and upcoming public and provider input, with a draft plan expected in January. Commissioners also reviewed budget-amendment details for law-enforcement spending, including examples of federal forfeiture purchases such as a drug-detection canine ($28,000), special response team equipment, radios, gas masks and a bomb-squad outfit, as well as CCS tax-funded facility and equipment purchases. A school-system amendment showed about $3.6 million in unspent funds, which staff described as progress compared with prior-year balances. The tax collection report was ahead of the prior year because tax bills went out earlier; staff expected collections to normalize later in the fiscal year.

The agenda review included proposed land-use ordinance amendments and rezonings, as well as the 2026 comprehensive plan, but no procurement awards, RFPs or vendor selections were identified. Following questions about the ordinance amendments and state down-zoning restrictions, commissioners passed a motion to remove that item from Monday’s agenda for further discussion; the motion was seconded and approved. The board also discussed the comprehensive plan’s public engagement and upcoming adoption consideration.