Wilmington City Council Meeting: May 4, 2026 – Budget, Living Wage, and Resolutions

The Wilmington City Council met on May 4, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Hall. The meeting included proclamations, recognition of the Wilmington 101 Class of 2026, a detailed FY27 recommended budget presentation by City Manager Becky Hawke, public comments, a public hearing, and votes on resolutions. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.

Consent Calendar

• C1: Resolution declaring certain SABLE equipment as surplus for auction – approved.
• C2: Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 26-27 Annual Action Plan for CDBG and HOME funds – approved.
• C3: Resolution awarding on-call contracts for survey services to five firms – approved.
• C4: Approval of minutes from April 20 and April 21, 2026 meetings – approved.

The consent agenda passed 11-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Harris (city resident) expressed concerns about the proposed living wage, stating small businesses cannot afford it. He questioned budget transparency, asked about funding for a low-barrier shelter, and proposed retaining an independent organizational psychologist to assess workplace culture in city government.
• Charlene Zorn (stepmother of Solomon Wynn) urged unanimous support for Solly’s Law (Tobacco 21) and requested a zoning ordinance to restrict tobacco/vape/CBD shops near schools, parks, and residential areas. She noted that 20% of North Carolina high school students vape, twice the national average.
• Katrina Brooks (biological mother of Solomon Wynn) shared her son’s death from vaping-related complications and urged passage of Solly’s Law to protect youth.
• Max Hammer and Be Lanier (students and NC Tobacco 21 Coalition members) supported the resolution, noting North Carolina is one of six states allowing tobacco sales to 18-year-olds, and urged raising the age to 21 with a retail permitting system.
• Kathleen Lawrence and Angelica Ulmer were scheduled to speak but did not appear.

Discussion Items

• City Manager’s FY27 Recommended Budget Presentation: Becky Hawke presented a $350,328,326 budget (up 14.3% from FY26’s $306 million). Key drivers include a proposed 5.75-cent property tax increase (to 34 cents per $100), with 5.34 cents for general services (73% for public safety) and 0.41 cents for capital projects. A living wage proposal would set minimum pay at 60% of Area Median Income ($45,531/year), costing $16.7 million ($14.2 million from general fund). This would raise police starting pay from $52,154 to $62,593 and firefighter starting pay from $48,368 to $58,036. Other increases include $3.9 million for health insurance, $642,000 for WAVE Transit, and $2.0 million for public safety initiatives (PFAS-free gear, mental health services, gear inspections). The budget also funds $783,000 for nonprofit RFPs. Not included are additional street paving, park maintenance, and fire SCBA replacements. Council will hold work sessions May 15 and May 29, a public hearing May 19, and adoption June 2 and June 16.
• Public Hearing – Semi-Permanent Structures (PH1): An ordinance amending the Land Development Code to allow semi-permanent accessory structures (e.g., shipping containers) in the Central Business District, subject to conditions. Applicant Joseph Apkarian (Eagle’s Dare) seeks to use a container as an ancillary bar/storage. Staff recommended approval; Planning Commission added orientation conditions. No public comments for or against. Ordinance approved 6-0; second reading waived.
• Ordinance on Background Checks (O1): Proposed amendment to City Code Section 8-5 to require criminal history checks for all final applicants and random checks for current employees, plus credit checks for financial positions. Discussion included concerns about scope, seven-year lookback, and the appeals process. Council continued the item to the May 19 meeting for clarification, voting 6-0.
• Resolution in Support of Solly’s Law / Tobacco 21 (R1): Councilmember Andrews introduced a resolution supporting state legislation (HB 430/SB 318) to raise the tobacco/nicotine sales age to 21, establish a retailer permit system, and strengthen enforcement. The resolution passed unanimously (6-0).
• Resolution in Support of UNCW Medical School (R2): Council expressed support for a proposed Doctor of Medicine program at UNCW, citing a shortage of 7,700 physicians in North Carolina and regional healthcare needs. The resolution passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 11-0.
• Ordinance PH1 (semi-permanent structures) approved 6-0 on first reading; second reading waived.
• Ordinance O1 (background checks) continued to May 19, 2026, by a 6-0 vote.
• Resolution R1 (Solly’s Law) approved 6-0.
• Resolution R2 (UNCW Medical School) approved 7-0.
• The FY27 budget process will continue with work sessions on May 15 and May 29, a public hearing on May 19, and adoption votes on June 2 and June 16.