Port City United’s mediation and outreach division remains on administrative leave while the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners and county staff grapple with the county’s budget for the next fiscal year.
The mediation and outreach division, originally comprised of 10 members, has been under review, with one member of the team off suspension to assist the county’s review process that began after the division’s supervisor Stephen Michael Barnett was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to attempted murder .
Barnett was dismissed from his position and the county has since fired an additional employee from the mediation and outreach division. Courtney McNeil, who was a mediation specialist, was arrested on May 9 and is facing multiple drug and gun charges .
More: Port City United employee fired after arrest on drug charges
According to a statement from the county on Friday, the county has completed an internal review of the mediation and outreach division. On Tuesday, Chief Communications Officer Josh Smith said the county plans to provide review findings to the commissioners. He did not give a specific timeline.
As of Tuesday, the county did not provide any additional information regarding Port City United, but Smith said the conversation will likely continue in the county’s budget discussions.
What's ahead for Port City United?
Meanwhile, the county has been looking at budget scenarios for the 2024-25 fiscal year, and Port City United’s future will depend on which route the board of commissioners takes.
County Manager Chris Coudriet and Chief Financial Officer Eric Credle presented two budget options to the commissioners this week. To balance the budget, one would pull $7.7 million from the county’s revenue stabilization fund, which was created with $300 million from the sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health.
The funds can go toward retirement of voter and non-voter approved debt, establishing pay-as-you go financing for certain capital assets and projects, reserving for unexpected emergency spending needs, and reserving funds to address budget shortfalls during economic downturns.
To use money out of the revenue stabilization fund, at least four out of five county commissioners must vote to approve it.
The second budget option would not use revenue stabilization funds and would instead eliminate funding for various American Rescue Plan programs to reallocate those funds for general fund expenses.
In both options, Port City United’s mediation and outreach department is not included. In the revenue stabilization fund option, though, Port City United’s administration is included, which would allow at least part of the program to continue operating.
The cost for Port City United’s administration is $475,206, and the cost for the mediation and outreach division is $945,982.
Previous coverage: Questions continue about funding for Port City United in wake of charges against employee
Commissioners' stances
County Commissioner Dane Scalise, who has been outspoken against continuing funding for Port City United, expressed once more in Monday’s budget meeting that he feels the program should not continue.
Coudriet said that if he had to recommend a budget now, he would advise using the $7.7 million in revenue stabilization funds. If the commissioners choose not to go in that direction, he said, they will have to find places to cut the budget.
Scalise and Commissioner Rob Zapple volunteered to review each line item in the budget to look for areas to cut.
Meanwhile, Scalise and Vice Chairwoman LeAnn Pierce made it clear that they would prefer not to use revenue stabilization funds to balance the budget.
Commissioner Jonathan Barfield Jr. said he would support using that money.
Coudriet is scheduled to make a formal budget recommendation on May 30, and the board is expected to vote on it in June.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Will Port City United continue to be funded? Budget scenarios offer different outcomes.
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