Commissioners approve contingency funds for one-year Conway police coverage
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Summary
The Northampton County Board of Commissioners approved short-term funding from contingency reserves to support Conway’s special-assignment police coverage for the remainder of the fiscal year and set a budget placeholder for 2026–27.
The Northampton County Board of Commissioners voted to fund one year of special-assignment police coverage for the town of Conway, approving an immediate draw of $33,009.73 from contingency and directing staff to budget $50,009.60 for fiscal 2026–27.
County Manager Phillips told the board the request came after meetings with town leaders and police chiefs who said additional presence had reduced violent calls in other towns. "We have commitments from the towns that after a year they will be able to sustain the program," Phillips said, noting quarterly follow-ups would monitor progress.
A sheriff’s office presenter reviewed call data for Gaston and Seaboard to show the effect of similar coverage. The presenter said Gaston had 31 calls during a cited 2025 period and five calls so far in 2026; Seaboard had 19 calls in late 2025 and 11 to date in 2026, and shots-fired calls dropped from prior months.
Commissioner [Chair Martin] asked for a motion; the motion to approve Conway coverage was moved, seconded and passed by recorded voice vote.
The action is limited to a one-year coverage commitment; the manager said staff would report quarterly to the board on towns’ ability to resume funding and sustain the positions once county support ends.