Shaping Brunswick’s Future: County Announces Openings Across Six Influential Advisory Boards

Citizens Invited to Apply for Critical Vacancies in Planning, Zoning, and Local Oversight Ahead of Crucial June Deadlines

By BC News Staff Writer

BOLIVIA, NC — As Brunswick County navigates rapid coastal growth and infrastructure updates, local officials are looking to the community to fill critical vacancies on six key advisory boards.

The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners issued a public notice inviting residents to submit applications for these influential seats. Because these advisory bodies do the heavy lifting on regional density, land use, senior advocacy, and localized tax and safety oversight, these appointments give citizens a direct hand in shaping county governance before final policies ever reach a vote.

Open Seats and What’s at Stake

The current vacancies span a diverse range of county operations, requiring both general citizen involvement and specialized professional expertise.

• Planning Board (Electoral District 3 Seat): Holds final approval authority over many subdivision plats and issues vital recommendations regarding zoning amendments. This appointment comes at a crucial moment; the county just wrapped up public feedback for the massive Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Modernization Project. The new appointee will step into immediate focus groups this June to help finalize these new land-use standards. Applicants must reside in District 3.

• Zoning Board of Adjustment (At-Large Seat): Operating like a localized administrative court, this board hears requests for zoning variances due to special hardships and handles formal appeals regarding administrative land-use decisions.

• Board of Equalization and Review (At-Large Seat): Hears and rules on formal appeals from property owners who believe their real estate tax assessments are inaccurate or unfair.

• Fire Fee Committee (Southport Fire District): Reviews and recommends the specific fee structures that property owners pay to maintain robust fire protection services within the Southport district.

• Health and Human Services Advisory Board (Optometrist Seat): Shapes local public health rules and budgetary priorities. By state statute, this position explicitly requires a licensed, practicing optometrist residing within the county.

• Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc. (BSRI) (Electoral District 3 Seat): Manages the county’s senior centers, case management, and vital programs like Meals on Wheels. Applicants must reside in District 3.

Application Rules and Deadlines

The county enforces strict procedural guidelines for residents interested in applying:

• The Deadline: Completed applications must be received by the Clerk to the Board no later than Thursday, June 4, at 5:00 p.m.

• The “Clean Slate” Rule: Applications submitted prior to January 1, 2026, have been archived. Even if a resident applied for one of these positions late last year, they must submit a fresh application to be considered.

• The Selection Timeline: The Board of Commissioners is scheduled to review candidates and cast final votes on the appointments during their regular meeting on Monday, June 15.

Residents can verify their commissioner district, view full eligibility requirements, and apply directly online via the county’s portal

Publisher’s Note:

Staying Involved: In addition to these board vacancies, the Board of Commissioners will hold a formal public hearing on the proposed FY 2027 County Budget this coming Monday, June 1, at 3:00 p.m. at the David R. Sandifer Administration Building in Bolivia. Public feedback is highly encouraged. BCDollarSaver.com will continue to provide updates as these seats are filled and budget negotiations progress.

© 2026 BCDollarSaver.com. All rights reserved.