[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6477731,"mediaKeyId","5711316-6091b1c8355937b200501ccc7538b100","parentId",5711316,"title","Board appoints member to Nursing Home and Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee","audioSeconds",85,"startMs",7710000,"endMs",7795000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711316-6091b1c8355937b200501ccc7538b100&start=7710&end=7795","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711316-6091b1c8355937b200501ccc7538b100/thumbnail_7710000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477731/Brunswick-County/North-Carolina/Board-appoints-member-to-Nursing-Home-and-Adult-Care-Home-Community-Advisory-Committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477731-a89cd3bc8a583246cbe21be64db3f02b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775389342&Signature=B0E43uIdGD3-O8KnvqRV4Fa0QdaqA3775pQPCDIZq8tFB7WQxWHwUqcrTSWMwgJ6Dk~HCgRaphJsRjRtvSe66-A7UmGctf2aqYYjVTHdlPjV~7iouQeKOfiYMcXr1vMtB2yNoW8XAzPWCPch9eJVK9qMbExO7ZKqG6rLz7SyNnuqLvsSFp8tmhzGItdMgQMmh4Pyw~hMthrXvcmACmExPgfirtWiDPWPCrjRCiu1N8hTkNQ9ZE5hQ-NViFo2HiAlFEGzHudiEOVn8u00q3AiW7GFNeTEV7qkN6xgDKFaHTu~jYYPEOqkktuQ8RWBdChMqPTFgREtn4rpsXUf~NY~oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Brunswick County, NC","date","2025-09-03T20:15:20.743Z","article","The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners appointed Barbara Giganti to the Nursing Home and Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee.

The nomination was presented during the appointments segment; a motion to approve the nomination was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The transcript records the motioners as Williams and Thompson and the board chair called for the ayes.

Why it matters: The committee advises county officials on nursing home and adult care home matters and provides a liaison between long-term-care stakeholders and county government.

Next steps: The clerk's office will record the appointment and notify the committee and the appointee of the start date and committee schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Brunswick County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting | Sept. 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved Barbara Giganti to the Nursing Home and Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee by voice vote during the meeting's appointments segment.","taxTitle","Brunswick County, North Carolina","taxId",53179,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477736,"MPO white paper proposed on options to fund major transportation projects, including sales-tax referendum or tolls",1016,7800000,8816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711316-6091b1c8355937b200501ccc7538b100&start=7800&end=8816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711316-6091b1c8355937b200501ccc7538b100/thumbnail_7800000.jpg","/articles/6477736/Brunswick-County/North-Carolina/MPO-white-paper-proposed-on-options-to-fund-major-transportation-projects-including-sales-tax-referendum-or-tolls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477736-57ce09aacca0e39f61543e838f36b047/orig.mp4?Expires=1775389342&Signature=Xt~-2pXpH~o9UveZ9n5ThFbU3KODEP0FM5IrRH8HUuLs6gfhSYkuHBcuTX9Ch0YWspURU~-N6I7tAFN8f54upYg~XNYkGH7HzaUr~Tngf7FcR4iDIJ1BW0cewleCHDV9uSuNgnAgriYYrCqYDK2YPPC7qZpeUQEHqkoYrfUokcAm1wAPG7LIfQWKduDDcA2qqhF5LHpKxb46M1QPrFkb60QvzmGNtmGWzFuUi5MJcyy8kwp1rXeclXIDf07zSEGjAzFBdomejszVlM7iUtckpI4jkgG~jtHtKkXo6opzVgtfMmjoWIg4rfg7755zagf-O68WwB-SNaIjx9Xi-ZzDvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board discussed a Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) proposal to explore alternative funding mechanisms for major regional transportation projects and asked staff to seek more information in a white paper.

A commissioner told the board the MPO had created a subcommittee to look at options beyond traditional DOT funding for projects such as the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement, Carolina Bays Parkway and widening of NC-211. Two main possibilities were identified by MPO staff: tolling or a temporary local sales-tax referendum; other local-option taxes would not raise the scale of funding needed.

Commissioners expressed mixed views. Some said a countywide temporary sales-tax referendum could fund several projects and sunset when projects were complete, but others warned about the precedent of local taxes and the potential long-term implications. One commissioner noted a substantial share of revenue could come from tourists; others warned that residents would bear recurring costs on everyday purchases.

What the board asked for: Commissioners requested a white paper with revenue estimates, equitable distribution approaches across the county, legislative steps required, and mechanisms to ensure funds would be used only for the projects specified. The board did not authorize a referendum or toll at the meeting; the MPO will continue preliminary work if there is board support to study the idea further.","Commissioners discussed a Wilmington-area MPO proposal to study alternative funding for large projects such as the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement and Carolina Bays Parkway. The board asked staff to request a white paper and more data before any policy decision.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477741,"Residents urge immediate update to UDO, say infrastructure strained by rapid development",128,1378000,1506000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711316-6091b1c8355937b200501ccc7538b100&start=1378&end=1506","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711316-6091b1c8355937b200501ccc7538b100/thumbnail_1378000.jpg","/articles/6477741/Brunswick-County/North-Carolina/Residents-urge-immediate-update-to-UDO-say-infrastructure-strained-by-rapid-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477741-08b5c7f764a17f2f5358d16a67f23622/orig.mp4?Expires=1775389342&Signature=OD8UM85NIBSDoi3-fkVLKtcWjkBygbJmC10SBW6ShD~vcyPkT9IOwaJCuq4nPoLezPmUtl1u4-C9dJBP11Opj9rjE~G1tJ80woSoDEr5v18fFIJsNhYZqXvL7CLR0LxiSOBNS3-x690m0uQKz5isljpJtNySmahVrw68gfAoi2j8P5EG0uZQ-gh7C-dr5JK9csUY3satNPwYLtnpGUkeEEfW9DJGSLocMNI30hqWt10iOagX~BZ4-WPlaoMVXvPpsl1n3IODnPDx86gyo6GWsssluh4mnjqbPOGX58DYP4~f1eudHZfeIDzCm-w6bJNrgXzW2MGZz9s4r0egAkhxgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents used the public comment period to urge the Board of Commissioners to slow or better manage new development, saying county infrastructure and evacuation capacity are already near capacity.

Barbara Kuczynski Gilbert, who identified herself as a resident of Southport (mailing address Supply), told commissioners she is \"here today to address the overdevelopment in Brunswick County.\" Gilbert said the county's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) is outdated and that the planning board currently has \"few options\" when presented with new development proposals. She asked the commission to \"take back the final approval of development from the planning board\" and to postpone approvals if roads and emergency services cannot safely support new construction.

Resident Bill Immen, who said he's lived in the county since 1985, described rising environmental impacts from development, including permanently closed shellfishing areas and increased flooding after storms. Immen urged commissioners to act to keep Brunswick County \"as pristine as we can\" for future generations.

Why it matters: Commenters argued the combination of near-capacity infrastructure, increased storm flooding and rapid building makes it harder to evacuate during a major hurricane and that the county's land-use rules should be updated to account for current conditions.

Board response: Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and discussed the need for updated planning tools and coordination with state agencies. No formal action was taken during the meeting; the comments were recorded for follow-up by planning staff.","Public commenters told the Brunswick County Board that the county's Unified Development Ordinance is outdated and that roads, utilities and evacuation capacity are reaching 80% or higher, urging commissioners to reclaim final approval authority on large developments.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477746,"Commissioners approve consolidated travel policy; board sets alternative mileage reimbursement at half IRS rate",208,7157000,7365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711316-6091b1c8355937b200501ccc7538b100&start=7157&end=7365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711316-6091b1c8355937b200501ccc7538b100/thumbnail_7157000.jpg","/articles/6477746/Brunswick-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-consolidated-travel-policy-board-sets-alternative-mileage-reimbursement-at-half-IRS-rate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477746-a2034b0e67bb49d905e2bb85cbcfd4f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775389342&Signature=PRhFxw~GbAZSVObNeWRuOqr~msqi-HE4ZayQOZzRKs50VlM75kgaNsj0JBCzjlOfSuoIvkLDoYkaDrVkDMBbqoaXcFq0Jztwhi7IUi-m-yG0mfz9wrYbebv9puSwkXaYbej8tdvNvXQpsdK1~LxmXGmr4f3SdkAo-fYV~19184kHp1IgdfLK7glH3zAl5nNwkGTouO9dk~Au4MCP0Mh5j6hXbXCCOElJTBQ57Dhq4iWvfv5SsTT2LBxrcWdRsrEUjeZZBLBcp6ShzThYkvmWLOL8tIpxnlpVEdOFCiYmeO~SDqtT23Hb6QqNwiQNQpON6RXI9zsAFbgZYsqprPUlUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a consolidated travel policy that gathers previously separate finance and human-resources rules into a single policy and clarifies several approval thresholds and reimbursement practices.

During the administrative report, staff introduced the rewrite as a consolidation intended to simplify approvals and clarify exceptions. A staff presentation recommended designating Horry County (Myrtle Beach) as in-state for approval purposes because many North Carolina conferences are held there.

The policy also addresses reimbursement for voluntary use of a personal vehicle. Staff said an administrative practice had been to reimburse voluntary use at the IRS \"charitable\" rate (14 cents per mile) and asked the board to formalize a revised alternative rate. Commissioners debated the fairness of 14 cents per mile and whether to base an alternative on a fraction of the IRS business mileage rate.

The board approved the travel policy with a single substantive change: the alternative reimbursement rate for voluntary personal-vehicle use will be half of the current IRS business mileage rate rather than the previously used 14 cents. The motion to adopt the policy with that change was moved and seconded by board members and passed without a recorded roll-call in the transcript. The county manager's office will continue to apply the standard IRS rate when a county vehicle is unavailable; the alternative half-IRS rate applies when a county vehicle is available but an employee voluntarily uses a personal vehicle.

Why it matters: The change is intended to encourage use of county fleet vehicles where practical while still compensating staff for incidental voluntary use. Staff said the half-IRS approach allows the board to adjust the alternative rate automatically if the IRS rate changes, avoiding a fixed-dollar figure that would require future board action.

Next steps: County staff will publish the consolidated policy and incorporate the new reimbursement procedure into travel authorizations and payroll processes. The county retained exception authority for senior officials (deputy managers, sheriff, register of deeds, or board chair) to approve deviations when warranted.","The board adopted a consolidated travel policy that centralizes prior HR and finance rules, designates in-state definition for nearby Horry County, and sets an alternative mileage reimbursement equal to half the IRS rate when county vehicles are available.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477751,"After-action review finds strong response to unannounced heavy-rain event, flags sheltering and drainage gaps",3240,2090000,5330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711316-6091b1c8355937b200501ccc7538b100&start=2090&end=5330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711316-6091b1c8355937b200501ccc7538b100/thumbnail_2090000.jpg","/articles/6477751/Brunswick-County/North-Carolina/After-action-review-finds-strong-response-to-unannounced-heavy-rain-event-flags-sheltering-and-drainage-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477751-b00012c348e1ca4a1842b431f551f71d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775389342&Signature=m4930Psn5DVWZkkNJnVr29IuIoLWYe8BQkzg0NmdErBqfNetU8kH8cIf6O4sdvH6uL0qUB0sU8Gr1YknrmPq5~jvZVE15TJPHGRJVR5RIXOw2KxnSKuA4zujwFF-F8pxzGPYmEFWuzZzhz10PZcaok63cIQhuyXatw68X27uCIxOzMRl10ts5VZ52BjZXA-EwyH2JUJxg0m9lnrLMYAfgv3zLYditeZNwCXvPsF1gEjGfC7BEgRgzt0KN-ROpWszx3jTgtzpxi6TX6ZmkJl4UNOcv95~SCV0OogT-ofqqgAyYXWCICvkNGjMdw9xVsI6-5F6u64OaeaonycRGFBnHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brunswick County emergency management delivered an after-action report on a rapidly developing, unnamed heavy-rain event that struck the county on Sept. 16, 2024, saying county response was well coordinated but that flood risk, sheltering and drainage maintenance remain serious vulnerabilities.

Emergency Management Director David McIntyre told the Board of Commissioners that the system, locally tracked as PTC 8, \"was not classified as a tropical storm or hurricane\" but produced rainfall and flash flooding comparable in places to past major storms. He said the county activated its emergency operations center quickly and sustained staffing through the week of the event.

The report summarized what the task force found and why it matters. \"We had a well coordinated initial response,\" McIntyre said, but he listed recurring problems: inadequate shelter capacity for large-scale evacuations, inconsistent emergency notifications across platforms, debris blockages outside rights-of-way, and limited county authority over some drainage channels.

Why it matters: county officials said those shortcomings increase risk as development and population growth put more people and property in flood-prone areas. The after-action team recommended immediate, short-term and long-term steps—ranging from improved messaging templates to building hardened multipurpose shelters and pursuing funding for additional rescue craft and floodplain studies.

Key findings and recommendations

- Communications and public information: Surveys and incident logs showed heavy public engagement but mixed awareness of county systems. McIntyre said about 60% of respondents were registered for the county's Everbridge/Ready Brunswick notifications but many were unaware of how to use them. He urged standardized, pre-scripted messages and more work with local media and municipal public information officers.

- Sheltering: The county's existing hardened shelter capacity is limited; McIntyre said current shelters could reliably accommodate about 0.7% of the county population for risk-rated sheltering. The report recommends tabletop exercises for shelter activation, development of supply \"pods\" (pre-staged shelter trailers) and consideration of multipurpose park facilities that could double as hardened shelters and polling places.

- Drainage and right-of-way maintenance: The task force identified blocked culverts and streams outside the county's maintenance authority as drivers of flash flooding. Commissioners and staff discussed forming a multi-agency task force that includes DOT, stormwater engineering and soil-and-water staff to prioritize targeted ditch clearing and culvert resizing.

- Assets and modeling: McIntyre said the county had to request additional high-water vehicles and suggested expanding shallow-draft craft and airboats for access into tidal and marshy areas. He also said better hydrologic modeling and a Brunswick-specific floodplain study would improve preparedness.

Public survey results

The after-action team surveyed residents to inform its recommendations. McIntyre reported roughly 1,470 people were contacted and 470 responses returned. Of those responders, the report flagged these highlights: 94% identified as full-time residents; 47% ranked the event among their top three worst tropical-type events; 90% experienced some life disruption; 35% reported property damage (mostly flooding); and only 29% carried flood insurance.

Board response and next steps

Commissioners asked the emergency management office to continue work on the short-term action items already underway: expanding Ready Brunswick enrollment efforts, updating the county's evacuation zone mapping to include inland freshwater flood zones, and improving WebEOC procedures and training for partner agencies. Several commissioners urged pursuing state and federal mitigation funds to retrofit facilities and buy rescue assets.

McIntyre closed by noting coordination with the National Weather Service led to updated rainfall-forecast modeling that now provides both a most-likely and a plausible worst-case rainfall estimate, a change county staff said will improve future planning. The board directed staff to return with more detailed cost estimates and an outline of funding avenues for the short- and long-term recommendations.","Brunswick County emergency management presented an after-action review of a Sept. 2024 heavy-rain event, saying local response and coordination worked but shortfalls in shelter capacity, drainage maintenance and public awareness will require funding and interagency work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board appoints member to Nursing Home and Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee

MPO white paper proposed on options to fund major transportation projects, including sales-tax referendum or tolls

Residents urge immediate update to UDO, say infrastructure strained by rapid development

Commissioners approve consolidated travel policy; board sets alternative mileage reimbursement at half IRS rate

After-action review finds strong response to unannounced heavy-rain event, flags sheltering and drainage gaps