The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners recorded several formal actions during the meeting, including adoption of proclamations and approvals tied to infrastructure and veteran outreach. The items below summarize motions and outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes and on the record.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda (motion and second on the record; voice vote in favor). No items were listed as pulled during the recorded discussion.

- Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation: Motion to adopt the proclamation designating October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month was made and seconded; commissioners voted “aye” and the proclamation was adopted. (See separate article for full discussion and advocacy remarks.)

- Operation Greenlight for Veterans resolution: The board adopted a resolution recognizing November 2025 as a period to show support for veterans and to light county facilities in green from Nov. 4–11, 2025, in support of Operation Greenlight for Veterans. County staff and a veterans-services representative noted county programs that assist veterans, referenced a local veterans-services caseload and benefits data, and the board approved the resolution by voice vote.

- Scotts Hill Water Main Extension CDBG compliance manual: Staff presented a resolution to submit the Community Development Block Grant Infrastructure (CDBG-I) compliance manual for the Scotts Hill Water Main Extension to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. The board approved the resolution by motion and voice vote. Staff said the project will benefit about 120 residents across 57 parcels in the Old Scotts Hill and Kirkland area and is jointly funded through local county funds and a federal CDBG-I grant. Staff said, upon state approval of the environmental review and engineering report, the county will request release of funds and Cape Fear Public Utility can move forward with design and bids in 2026.

- Destination 2050 comprehensive plan update (direction to staff): The board provided direction to staff that the draft goals, policies, and future land-use map for Destination 2050 are directionally correct and may be finalized for public release. Staff estimated a public-release timeline next month, planning-board hearings in January and commissioners’ hearings in February; final adoption is pending after the public-review process.

- Committee and commission appointments: The board moved and seconded several nominations and reappointments by voice vote, including nominees to the Commission on African American History, Heritage and Culture; the Inspection Department Advisory Council; the Jury Commission (reappointment); and the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.

What the approvals mean

Several approvals were procedural or symbolic (proclamations, appointments). The Scotts Hill action is a regulatory compliance step required for federal/state funding to proceed; staff said project design and bidding cannot proceed until DEQ signs off on the environmental review and the county requests release of funds. The veterans resolution encourages public participation and directs county facilities to be lit in green for Operation Greenlight; it does not change veterans’ benefits or county program eligibility.

Formal record and next steps

Motions and voice votes were recorded on the meeting record. For the Scotts Hill water-main project, staff identified next steps: finalize the environmental report for DEQ, request release of funds upon approval, and allow Cape Fear Public Utility to begin design and bidding in 2026. For Destination 2050, staff will finalize measurable targets and release the draft for public review, then return with hearings and a final adoption vote.