New Hanover County delays hospital vote ahead of Hurricane Dorian impacts

The Board of Commissioners were expected to vote on exploring the possible sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center at Tuesday’s meeting.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY – The threat of Hurricane Dorian has delayed a major vote on the proposed sale of New Hanover County Regional Medical Center.

New Hanover County announced Monday it has cancelled Tuesday’s regularly schedule Board of Commissioners meeting, during which the board was expected vote on whether or not to formally explore the possible sale of the hospital. The major proposal has sparked a contentious discussion since it was announced earlier this summer.

The vote, as well as all other agenda items for Tuesday’s meeting, will now be addressed at the next regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 16. That meeting will now be held at 4 p.m. instead of the original 9 a.m. meeting time.

The county’s offices will be closed Tuesday in order for employees to help staff the Emergency Operations Centers, which will fully activate 7 a.m. Tuesday.

County manager Chris Coudriet said staff intend to declare a state of emergency for New Hanover County by 5 p.m. Tuesday ahead of Dorian’s expected impacts on the region.

Reporter Hunter Ingram can be reached at 910-343-2327 or Hunter.Ingram@StarNewsOnline.com.