Brunswick County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Brunswick County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Wastewater Treatment Capacity and State Allocation Rules
County staff are working through state-level permitting hurdles with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality that have stalled wastewater projects in the Northeast and West systems.
Fiscal Year 2027 County Budget Adoption
Brunswick County is reviewing a $324 million general fund budget that keeps property tax rates flat while funding essential services, public safety positions, and employee pay raises. The budget relies on conservative revenue projections and a careful use of fund balance reserves to manage rapid population growth.
Cumulative Flooding and Stormwater Management
Residents and board members raised serious concerns about flooding risks and stormwater runoff from large new housing developments, particularly during major storms. Testimony highlighted how stacked weaknesses in infrastructure, wetland removal, and undersized drainage can lead to severe neighborhood flooding.
Countywide Open Burning Restrictions
Commissioners discussed implementing a countywide ban on open burning to prevent wildfires during extreme drought conditions. The county attorney was directed to draft an ordinance with specific exceptions, paired with free vegetative debris disposal at the county landfill for residents.
Fire Fee Funding and Committee Structure
Fire chiefs requested a 50% increase in fire fee caps to handle skyrocketing costs, population growth, and recruitment struggles. Commissioners debated the impact on low-income residents and whether to tie increases to performance standards or county-funded capital support.
Severe Drought and Water Shortage Restrictions
Brunswick County is currently under a D3 extreme drought, prompting discussions on updating water conservation plans, enforcing irrigation limits, and allowing contractors to use treated wastewater.
Strategic Mako Road Development Agreement
A developer proposed a massive 12,499-home master-planned community on over 4,000 acres off Mako Road. Residents and planning staff raised severe concerns about traffic, wetland flooding, and infrastructure capacity, leading the developer to withdraw the agreement.
School Overcrowding and Infrastructure Strain
The county is moving forward with a $349.6 million school bond referendum for the November ballot to build a new northern elementary and high school, plus other facility upgrades.
Green Hill Planned Development Denial
Residents and the local fire chief pushed back against a massive 1,340-home development on Green Hill Road, pointing to severe flooding and already overwhelmed roads and schools. The planning board listened to the community and voted down the project.