Election 2025: Meet Southport Alderman candidate Paul Gross
SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — The 2025 municipal election is underway, and Southport voters will soon decide who will serve as the city’s next mayor and alderman.
To help voters learn more about where each candidate stands on key local issues, WWAY sent a questionnaire to all Southport alderman and mayoral candidates. The questions cover topics such as growth and development, public safety, housing, and transparency in government.
Not every candidate responded to our request. For those who did, we are publishing their responses in their entirety, to give voters a direct look at their priorities and perspectives before heading to the polls.
Background and Motivation
1. Tell us a little about yourself — your background, experience, and connection to Southport.
I’ve lived in N.C. since 1971 and owned a home in the Southport area for 18 years. I have 39 years of Government experience, including high-level positions at the state and local levels including Controller (NC Dept. of Corrections), Asst. Director (State Probation/Parole), CFO (Wake County Social Services), and Interim Finance Director (Southport). My responsibilities included managing a budget of $1.2 billion, 21,000 employee payroll, a fraud investigation team over food stamps and medicaid with a 90% success rate, and fiscal policy development.
2. Why are you running for the Board of Aldermen, and what inspired you to seek public office?
I am running for the Board of Alderman to put my knowledge, skills and abilities to work for Southport. I am running to protect the taxpayer as a fiscal reformer. We can do this together by improving accountability, efficiency, transparency and best practices. Best practices include seeking alternative funding, using data to aide in decision making, collaboration with other municipalities and participatory citizen governance.
3. What are your top three priorities if elected?
My top 3 priorities are: 1. To protect the taxpayer – Southport has the 2nd highest tax rate out of 19 municipalities in Brunswick County highlighted by an excessive 33.8% increase in just one year, in 2022! 2. Save our homes by preventing flooding. 3. Preserving Southport’s historic charm, including its parks, open spaces and tree canopy while protecting the property rights of owners.
Growth and Development
4. How would you balance the preservation of Southport’s small-town character with new residential and commercial growth?
The best way to do this is to have fair and balanced city ordinances, which reflect Southport values, without over-regulation which places a financial burden on residents and business owners alike.
5. What role should the city play in guiding development along Highway 211 and surrounding areas?
Unfortunately, Southport can’t control the rate of growth outside of our city limits; however, we can make our voices heard at the County Planning Board and Commissioner meetings to influence the outcome as their decisions impact our traffic, wear and tear on our infrastructure and quality of life.
6. How should Southport plan for sustainable growth that protects natural resources, historic districts, and waterfront access?
Southport’s financial outlook looks more promising according to the City Manager’s recent comments in the recommended FY26 budget presentation. However, we must continue to seek alternative funding sources instead of raising property taxes. Grants, foundations, private donations, State earmarks, naming rights and sponsorships are all options. I do say “NO to Paid Parking”. We must provide resources to preserve ànd maintain our parks, open spaces, cemeteries and tree canopy. Completion of our $5 Million waterfront stabilization grant in a timely manner is critical. I put my faith and support to protect our historic district in the hands of those who live within the district, those who have been good stewards for decades.
Infrastructure and Public Services
7. What infrastructure improvements do you believe should be prioritized, including roads, stormwater, and utilities?
Southport’s Electric Fund has a contract to spend $1 million dollars per year to bury electric lines underground. I fully support the City’s plan to address storm water run off which includes: cleaning out ditches; repair and improve choke points such as Moore St. at Price’s Creek and Moore St. at Bonnets Creek which will improve the flooding concerns on Stuart, Fodale and the hospital; storm water mapping paid by a $70,000 grant already completed; and an anticipated $3.2M grant to be awarded soon to Southport; plus another grant application from Southport for a portion of the $750M in additional FEMA funds. Road improvements will require coordination with the State who owns 5 of them, and the County which owns the water and sewer systems beneath our streets.
8. How would you ensure city services and staff are adequately supported to meet residents’ needs?
We must support our city employees with a fair salary administration plan, a competitive benefits package and training in project management and other related job topics. We must entrust the City Manager to run the day to day affairs of the city without micro-management by the Board of Alderman.
9. How should Southport address parking, traffic congestion, and pedestrian safety concerns?
Southport has had 2 paid parking studies by professional engineer firms. One was as recent as of January 2025. Both recommended NO to paid parking. I support their findings and conclusion. I also support Southport’s existing bike and pedestrian walkway plan.
Community and Economic Vitality
10. What ideas do you have for supporting local businesses and tourism while maintaining residents’ quality of life?
I support the City Manager’s monthly business round table meetings. Dialog and feedback are important to participatory governance. The most important ways to support our local business owners is thru lower tax rates and less regulation. When a new business owners takes over an existing property and the city wants to charge him/her for a $40,000 transformer after already issuing a renovation permit, that seems wrong to me.
11. How would you promote affordable housing and workforce housing opportunities in Southport?
Unfortunately, Southport property is almost built out and the cost to acquire vacant land for affordable housing is too expensive in our city limits. The best and more affordable options are in Boiling Springs Lake and in the County’s jurisdiction.
12. What should the city do to enhance parks, recreation, and community spaces?
We must provide adequate funding from the General Fund including the addition of grants, foundations, private gifts and State earmarks to preserve, honor and maintain our parks, cemeteries, and community spaces. After all, they are part of Southport’s cherished history. If Parks and Recreation raises new revenue sources, they should be able to retain it to enhance P & R programming. I’ve coached kids in little league baseball, basketball and football. Sporting opportunities keep kids out of trouble and build teamwork and valuable lessons in life.
Leadership and Accountability
13. How will you ensure transparency and communication between city government and residents?
I will ensure transparency; as it is required by federal and state law. No excuses! I also want to go further and post monthly revenue and expenditure reports on the City’s website to build trust with the taxpayers. I support continuing the monthly newsletter and public comment at Board of Alderman meetings and other committees and boards as required.
14. What do you think Southport does well, and what would you like to see improved?
Southport is the most patriotic city in NC. Special events such as the 4th of July Festival, Christmas Parade, Wooden Boat Show and many other events have comprehensive planning to ensure safety, health and traffic issues are managed effectively. I’d like to see continued progress in ensuring accountability, efficiency, and implementation of best practices in city government.
15. What makes you the best candidate to represent your ward and the people of Southport?
My 39 years experience in state and local government have given me the knowledge, skills and ability to move Southport forward. I hold a Bachelors and Masters degree from NC State as well as hundreds of hours of in-service training. I was humbled to receive the highest civilian award from one of NC’s Governors and a Proclamation of Appreciation from Southport’s former Mayor for writing several vital policies and preparing the FY24 budget. My experience in cutting government operating costs without impacting services is an important skill set I bring to the table. Your vote is greatly appreciated as I will always put Southport Taxpayers first.
