Pender County will hold five town hall meetings beginning Sept. 30 to gather public input on the county’s Strategic Plan and the ongoing Emergency Services Merger.
Each meeting will open at 5:30 p.m., when residents may review and discuss strategies and actions identified for each strategic goal at their own pace. At 7 p.m., County Officials will deliver a presentation on the Emergency Services Merger, followed by a question-and-answer session with staff from the County Manager’s Office, Pender EMS & Fire, and commissioners.
Information about both initiatives is available at www.pendercountync.gov under the “Government” tab.
Town Hall Schedule
- Monday, Oct. 13 – Surf City Town Hall, Surf City
- Tuesday, Oct. 14 – Hampstead Annex, Hampstead
- Wednesday, Oct. 15 – Penderlea Auditorium, Penderlea
The Strategic Planning process began in January 2025. A public engagement period in the spring invited feedback on a draft mission statement, core values, and preliminary strategic goals. The current engagement phase seeks public input on strategies and actions developed by workgroups made up of more than 65 participants, including staff, residents, and partner agencies. The county’s goal is to complete the plan by the end of 2025.
Residents unable to attend a town hall may complete a survey at https://bit.ly/2030strategicplan. The survey link is also available on the county website.
The Emergency Services Merger also began in January 2025. A committee with representatives from Pender County, Pender EMS & Fire, Penderlea Fire, Maple Hill Fire, and NC Fire Chief Consulting meets twice a month to establish the process, timeline, and key tasks. The target date for transitioning staff to county employment is July 1, 2026.
For questions about the Strategic Plan or Emergency Services Merger, contact Strategic Director Sarah Fulton at SFulton@pendercountync.gov.