Board elects new leaders, sends multiple policy changes back to committee and approves EC legal services contract

At the December meeting the board formally elected Pete Wildebore as chair (unanimous) and Melissa Mason as vice chair (4–3). Wildebore and Mason took the gavel and presided over subsequent business.

During the policy packet review, members debated several proposed policy changes, notably the proposed public participation policy (23 10). Dr. Tim Merrick and others expressed concern that the policy’s tone could be perceived as confrontational; several board members argued for clearer language and less vagueness around enforcement. The board voted to send policy items 22 30 (sustainability committee changes), 23 10 (public participation), 23 35 (advanced delivery of meeting materials) and 79 10 (retirement / pension-spiking language) back to policy committee for further work and clearer drafting.

Board members also discussed language-translation services and the possibility of partnering with University of North Carolina Wilmington students as interns to help provide bilingual services, but raised confidentiality and vetting questions the staff agreed to research.

On contracts, the board approved an extension with Porter Spruill for Exceptional Children legal services through 06/30/2027. The contract includes hourly rates of $310 for partners, $275 for associates and $105 for paralegals, plus a flat travel rate of $1,000 and mileage reimbursement; the motion passed on a 6–1 vote. The board also approved a capital savings reallocation that reassigns under-budget project savings to new projects, noting the county commission will also have to approve capital funding changes.

No changes to board meeting cadence were made; the board confirmed upcoming committee and meeting dates and adjourned following a short closed session and a unanimous acceptance of a personnel report.