Wilmington City Council Meeting: May 4, 2026 – Budget, Living Wage, and Resolutions
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.
Meeting Transcript
Call the meeting order. The Wilmington City Council would like to welcome all those who are with us here this evening, all those who are watching us at home. Thank you for taking an interest in your government. This time I'd like to call on Captain John Michael of the Wilmington Police Department to please come forward. Or is it the fire department? I'm sorry, the fire department, Captain John Michael. I'm sorry about that. Please give our invocation of everyone who stand remain standing afterwards for the Pledge of Allegiance. Captain Welcome. Thank you. Let's bow our hands in reverence. Heavenly Father, ask that you will be with us today as we continue a journey of building a better community. We pray over everyone gathered here today. Grant them wisdom that is fair, courage that is steady, and a heart that seeks the good of every neighbor. Unite us as one city, working together in strength and compassion. In Jesus Christ's name I pray. Amen. Amen. Pledge allegiance to the flag of United Savings of America. And to the Republican hands. One nation, under God, individual with the liberty and justice for all. The first one is I'm gonna like to recognize the class, the Wilmington 101 class of 2026. Are there any members here from that class? Oh, they're all here. Well, y'all can all meet me out front, and I'd like the entire Wilmington City Council if y'all don't mind to come also because this is a big thing. These people have taken time out of their busy schedules to learn more about their community and their city, and I really appreciate that. Are you speaking for this crazy thing? Okay, come on over here. Whereas Wilmington 101 is designed to educate, engage, and empower residents by deepening their understanding of local government and community challenges, with the goal of developing informed, motivated leaders committed to the betterment of Wilmington. And whereas the program includes six interactive sessions covering topics such as recreation and urban forestry, public safety, planning and transportation, two very important ones, sustainability and emergency operations, affordable housing, and leadership grounded in community advocacy, and whereas Wilmington 101 serves as a catalyst for civic involvement by preparing participants to be informed advocates and encouraging service on local boards, commissions, and in other leadership roles. Now, therefore, let it be resolved that the Wilmington City Council recognizes the members of Wilmington 101 class of 2026 for the dedication to civic learning and their engagement with the work of the city government. And I would just like to say thank you to each and every one of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to learn about our community and to learn about our city government, which is very important and how they interact with county governments and state governments and federal governments. And it's always a very complicated issue, but it's something that we always work through. So this time I'm going to turn it over to Dory. Thank you so much, Mayor, and thank you to the entire city of Wilmington and their team for a tremendous program. Um it was well organized. It was a great opportunity for us to learn about our community. Um, this wonderful group behind me of you know fellow citizens was wonderful to learn alongside. And I encourage anyone in this room to share with their friends and families that live in the city of Wilmington to participate and learn more about how you can get involved and learn about how wonderful the city of Wilmington is. So thank you so much. Thank you. Please give them a big round of applause. Thank you. I'm gonna give this a view there. Thank you, guys. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. You got all the pictures you need. Go ahead. Oh, you want me to read the okay?
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