New Hanover County works to eliminate dozens of positions after budget cuts

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County staff are still working to determine which county positions will be cut this year at the direction of county commissioners. 

After commissioners approved this year’s fiscal budget with a lower tax rate of 30.6 cent for every 100 dollars—the county needs to cut around 70 positions. 

A memo from County Manager Chris Coudriet that was sent to commissioners and staff states nearly all vacant positions are now frozen. 

The county will also be offering retirement incentives to reduce the number of people that have to be laid off. 

A $10,000 bonus will be offered to retirees in select departments who have at least 30 years of service. 

A $5,000 bonus will be offered to retirees with 25 years of service and are over the age of 60. 

Commissioner Rob Zapple voted against the budget along with fellow Democrat Stephanie Walker. 

Zapple says cutting those positions—around 29 of which he says are current county employees—will negatively impact county services that the public relies on. 

“The public is going to feel these very soon. In all departments, from our parks department to our libraries departments, to our inspections and plan review departments, our tax department—all these are going to be seriously impacted,” he said. 

WWAY reached out to all five county commissioners. Zapple was the only one to respond as of Wednesday evening.