Pender County staff give presentation answering questions about EMS merger during town hall

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — County officials held the first of five town halls to present information about the emergency services merger.

County staff gave a presentation to residents, which provided answers to some of the more frequently asked questions they have received since commissioners approved the merger in a 3-2 vote in June.

Dozens of community members came out to hear the presentation.

How the county will pay for the merger and the financial impact have been one of the biggest concerns amongst residents.

Interim County Manager and Finance Director Meg Blue said they are still working to find the best way to cover the cost of the merger.

“We’re doing a lot of work to figure out the best tax-rate structure to figure out how to fund this,” Blue said. “Ideally, the revenues will be no more than they already are. We’re already funding the operation now. We’re going to take those dollars, bring them in-house and fund them internally.”

Four commissioners were there on Tuesday night to hear the presentation and then answer questions.

Randy Burton was the only commissioner who was not present.

Brad George voted against the merger and explained during the meeting several reasons why.

“Yes it will benefit the employees of Pender EMS and Fire and, which I and everyone knows I have family that works there,” George said. “It will benefit all of them. Yes, their benefits will be better. But at what cost? that’s the problem I got. This whole thing has a whole lot of personal to me and to see it be torn apart by its vindictive measures, I have a problem with.”

Following the presentation, a question-and-answer session was held.

Burgaw resident Gina Marasco said some of her questions were answered, but not all of her concerns were addressed.

“I definitely think that they’ve done their homework and I definitely think they came prepared to answer the questions that we have to the best of their ability,” Marasco said. “There are still some questions yet to be answered but I do think that they did a pretty good job of explaining. We still, as a taxpayer, are not sure what that looks like for us.”

The planned date for the merger to be completed is July 1st, 2026.

The next town hall meeting is on Wednesday, October 1st, at Heide Trask Media Center in Rocky Point, beginning at 5:30 pm.

The other town halls will be on:

• Thursday, October 2 at Penderlea Auditorium in Penderlea;
• Monday, October 13th at Surf City Town Hall and;
• Tuesday, October 14th at Hampstead Annex.

Each town hall begins at 5:30 pm.