A State of the County address outlining the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners’ past efforts and future plans to direct growth and foster economic development was criticized by one commissioner for leaving out concerns about county debt and spending.
More than 100 citizens and elected officials gathered in the New Hanover County Historic Courthouse for the address, delivered by chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr., before the board’s regularly scheduled Feb. 2 meeting. Barfield recalled the changes the area has undergone in his lifetime, particularly the influx of new residents, reflected on planning initiatives and economic incentives approved by the county in the recent past, and called for increased investment in education as an investment in future economic development.
County spending and swelling county debt should have been discussed in the address, said past chairman Woody White in a statement released earlier in the day. He plans to discuss the issues he finds important to the future of the county in a videoed response later this week.
Barfield was not receptive to his suggestions to discuss county debt and spending during the address, White said.
“The State of the County, in my opinion, ought to reflect the viewpoint of all five commissioners, and adequately seek input from those commissioners about what our future challenges are and how we’re going to meet them,” White said.
Barfield did work with county staff to craft the address, he said. He cited his six years of experience on the board, arguing that past chairmen did not seek input from fellow commissioners or share drafts before delivering the address.
While White declined the opportunity to deliver an address as chairman last year, Barfield viewed his effort as a restoration of tradition and an opportunity for citizens to witness leadership in county government.
“That’s not the history of county government, and unfortunately, some folks that have been here not as long as I have don’t fully understand the history of this great organization. What I did tonight is restore history and tradition back to county government,” Barfield said.
State of the County addresses were delivered annually by the chairman of the board since 2006, with the exception of 2014 under White’s leadership.
White also took issue with the cost the county assumed to mail printed invitations for the event and host a catered reception afterward. The county paid $1,016 for the catering, said county spokesperson Charles Smith, and about $30 for postage. White said he did make a similar address in 2014 because he viewed it as an unnecessary expense.
“Last year, I opted not to incur the expense of having a speech like this,” White said. He also worried the address directed an unfair portion of the spotlight on one person, he continued. “I just felt like it called too much attention to one commissioner, so I didn’t feel comfortable with that.”
Smith confirmed that receptions followed past addresses, but said county staff was unable to determine what was provided at past receptions and how much it cost.
Squabbles and disagreements emerging from the newly seated board prevent the officials from fully fulfilling their duties, Barfield said.
“At the local level, there’s no need to have partisan politics. We are here to serve the people,” Barfield said. “… Hopefully moving forward, we can speak with one voice, put the partisan stuff aside, and make sure we are representing the needs and the citizens of New Hanover County totally.”
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