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Sanford council votes 5–1 to expand Housing Authority board to seven members
Summary
On May 5, 2026, the Sanford City Council voted 5–1 to increase the Sanford Housing Authority board from five to seven members. City Attorney Susan Patterson cited state statute as authorizing the change; Council Member Linda Rhodes moved the resolution and Council Member Charles Taylor dissented.
SANFORD, N.C. — On May 5, 2026, the Sanford City Council voted to increase membership of the Sanford Housing Authority board from five members to seven, a governance change supporters said will strengthen local oversight.
City Attorney Susan Patterson told the council the change is authorized by state law, saying, “under N.C.G.S. 157-5, Council has authority at any time, by resolution or ordinance, to increase or decrease the membership of an authority.” Council Member Linda Rhodes moved the resolution; Council Member Christopher Petty seconded it. The motion passed by a vote of five to one, with Council Member Charles Taylor casting the dissenting vote.
Supporters framed the change as a way to provide “proper oversight” of the Sanford Housing Authority board of commissioners; the council record does not include a timetable or names for appointments to the expanded board. The resolution itself passed as a council vote and does not list appointees.
Because the statute cited by the city attorney grants the council authority to change board size, the council’s action was procedural rather than an appointment. The minutes do not record additional debate details or a subsequent vote that appointed new members.
The council took this action after returning from a closed session and continued with the evening’s agenda. No effective date for the change or schedule for appointments was specified in the minutes.
