Commissioners discuss school bond, Scotts Hill helipad

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Some New Hanover County residents sounded off on some big issues.

Among the items that were on the New Hanover County Commission’s agenda, public hearings on a proposed $160 million bond for schools and a plan to build a medical helicopter landing pad near the Pender County line.

The County Commission agreed to put the $160 million bond on the ballot for November’s general election. If approved, the money would go toward building, improving and renovating school facilities district wide.

“It’s imperative that our citizens look at what’s in this bond and make decisions that this is something that is good for our students and good for the county as a whole,” said Dr. Tim Markley, New Hanover County Schools Superintendent.

The county’s finance officer has estimated the county will have to pay back more than $68 million in interest on the bond over time if it’s approved.

“The needs are there, nobody is going to deny that, but the facts are also important in deciding whether or not we can afford this,” said Woody White, New Hanover County Commission Chairman.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center is asking commissioners to rezone about 27 acres of land at 151 Scotts Hill Medical Drive to allow the hospital to build a helipad for an emergency center being built. The plan got unanimous support from the Planning Board last month, but some neighbors are concerned about the noise.

Among the other items on the agenda the commission approved a request from the sheriff to sign off on a contract to spend $237,500 in the budget to finish installing security wire mesh in the county jail. The mesh is used to keep inmates from jumping from upper levels. They also approved $883,500 for New Hanover Fire Rescue to buy a new aerial/quint truck and sell one from 1997.