Mission Statement for the City of Southport
“To strive for excellence in our government, project a positive attitude, involve our community and protect our citizens by ensuring a safe, secure and tranquil quality of life with controlled and orderly growth.”
Southport is governed by a council-manager form of government as detailed in our city charter and the statutes of the State of North Carolina. The City Manager is the administrative head of the city government who directs and supervises the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the city. The Board of Aldermen (6 members) and the Mayor constitute the governing body of the city. The Mayor presides over the Board meetings and functions as Southport’s representative for all ceremonial functions.
Greetings from Southport! As Mayor of the City of Southport, it is my privilege to welcome you to our City’s website. I hope that you will take an opportunity to explore Southport through these pages, where you will find information about our community and the many services that we provide to visitors, residents, and businesses alike.
Dr. Joe Pat Hatem
Mayor
910-931-1954
610 W. Brown Street, Unit A
Term Expiration: 12/2027
Robert Carroll
(910) 465-2717 (Cell)
Email
307 E. Nash Street
Term Expires: 12/2029
Karen Mosteller, Mayor Pro-Tem
(704) 560-2443 (Cell)
Email
310 N. Atlantic Avenue
Term Expires: 12/2029
Marc Spencer
(910) 269-9935 (Cell)
Email
701 E. Moore Street
Term Expires: 12/2027
Lowe Davis
(910) 408-7051 (Cell)
Email
504 W. Brunswick Street
Term Expires: 12/2027
Paul Gross
Phone
Email
Address
Term Expires: 12/2029
Rebecca Kelley
(910) 269-9940 (Cell)
Email
1020 N. Caswell Avenue
Term Expires: 12/2027
Board of Aldermen Meetings
Regular Board of Alderman meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday at 6pm of every month in the Southport Community Building, located at 223 East Bay Street, Southport. If a meeting date falls on a holiday, the meeting will be rescheduled, and advertised in the State Port Pilot.
City meetings are open to the public. Social distancing and facial coverings are required. Meeting capacity is limited.
The City of Southport does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you need an auxiliary aid or service or other accommodation in order to attend or fully participate at this meeting, please contact the Clerk’s office as far in advance of the meeting as is possible so that your request can be considered.
An agenda packet is available for public viewing on the Monday before the Board of Aldermen meeting. The packets are located at the City Clerk’s office in City Hall and at the Harper Library. The agenda can also be viewed on the City Calendar.
Board of Aldermen Documents & Minutes
- Aldermen Agenda Rules
- Open Meetings and Public Records in North Carolina
- Request for Public Information
- Items Requiring a Public Hearing
- Code of Ethics (2022)
- Code of Ethics (2010)
- Rules and Procedures for Board of Aldermen meetings
- Application for Appointment to Boards and Committees
- 2023 Strategic Planning Notes
IMPORTANT NOTE: Minutes must be approved at the next regular monthly meeting before they can be posted, so they are available about 1 month + 1 week after the meeting date.
Noah Saldo, MPA
City Manager
nsaldo@cityofsouthport.com
O: (910) 457-7900 x 1011
C: (910) 477-1502
1029 N Howe St.
Southport, NC 28461
Southport City Manager
The Chief Administrative Officer for Southport’s Government
Southport is governed by a council-manager form of government as detailed in our city charter and the statutes of the State of North Carolina. The City Manager is the administrative head of the city government who directs and supervises the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the city.
The Board of Aldermen (6 members) and the Mayor constitute the governing body of the city. The Mayor presides over the Board meetings and functions as Southport’s representative for all ceremonial functions.
Noah Saldo is a native of Cleveland County, North Carolina where he began his professional career as a funeral director. He then entered the local government sector after receiving his Master of Public Administration degree from Arkansas State University and serving as town clerk for Boiling Springs, North Carolina, located in Cleveland County. He is a certified municipal clerk through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks at the UNC School of Government.
Mr. Saldo has experience and education in all aspects of local government, having attended several UNC School of Government classes, including but not limited to, Local Government Finance, Employment Law for Department Heads and Supervisors, and Essentials for Local Government Managers. In addition to his education, Noah also served on the Cleveland County Planning Board as chair prior to his move to Brunswick County in 2024.
You can read the full announcement of Noah’s appointment here.
Organization Chart
Mayor and Board of Aldermen
- Mayor, elected head of the city
- Board of Aldermen, the group of elected officials who represent the two wards within the city limits
City Manager
- The City Manager is appointed by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. The City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city’s government. The City Manager reports to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen and directly oversees the various departments.
City Departments
- Administration
- Manages overall city operations, public information, human resources, and support for elected officials.
- Community Relations
- Handles public communications, city outreach programs, and managing relationships with residents and media.
- Finance
- Oversees budgeting, accounting, taxation, and financial management for the city.
- Fire/EMS
- Responsible for fire protection services, including prevention, emergency response, and firefighting operations.
- Parks & Recreation
- Manages public parks, recreational programs.
- Permitting & Inspections
- Oversees building permits, inspections, and enforcement of city codes and regulations related to construction and development.
- Planning
- Responsible for city development, land use planning, zoning, and long-term growth strategies.
- Police/APS
- Manages law enforcement, public safety, crime prevention, and police services.
- Public Works
- Handles the maintenance and operation of city infrastructure, such as streets, buildings & grounds, and Public Works Administration.
Tori Deviney, City Clerk
Email Tori
O: (910) 457-7900 x 1009
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
The Keeper of Southport’s Records
City Clerk
The City Clerk’s office maintains and preserves the official records of the City of Southport Board of Aldermen, serves as public records coordinator and corporate secretary of the City. This department is responsible for coordinating meetings of the Board along with the City Manager, preparation of the agenda and agenda packets, codification and distribution of the City Code and ensuring City compliance with state laws related to local government meetings, and to assist Board appointed committees as requested including public notifications and accessibility, keep a list of all Board and Committee appointments i.e. terms of office, expiration dates, etc. at the end of each FY provide an appointment report to the NC Secretary of State on board appointments in accordance with NCGS 143-157.1
Mission
The mission of the Southport City Clerk’s office is to provide professional, courteous and efficient service and support to the public, Mayor, Aldermen, City Manager and department heads in all areas that have been designated by the North Carolina General Statutes or assigned and directed by the Board of Aldermen and City Manager.
Goals
- Provide the public with requested information in a timely manner.
- Take and transcribe fact-based meeting minutes accurately in order to establish the historical records and actions of the Board.
- Identify and develop processes that will increase citizen satisfaction, develop ways to expedite more efficiently requested information and data by incorporating updated technology in the Clerk’s office.
- Maintain effective working relationship with Board of Aldermen, staff, city boards/committees and other agencies.
- Safeguard all official permanent records of the Board and provide leadership and advice to all City Departments in terms of the legal requirements for retention and availability of public records.
- Pursue technology (such as a laser fiche system) to digitize all records i.e. minutes, deeds, contracts, etc.
Documents available from the City Clerk:
- 2025 Board of Aldermen Meeting Schedule
- Aldermen Agenda Rules
- Public Information Request Form
- Open Meetings and Public Records laws in North Carolina
- Items Requiring a Public Hearing
- Voluntary Annexation Forms
- Voluntary Annexation Checklist
- Rules and Procedures for the Southport Board of Aldermen
- Code of Ethics for Southport Elected Officials
- Offer of Donations of Property or Services to City of Southport
- City Charter and Code of Ordinances
- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes
- Application to Join Boards and Committees
City Buildings
- City Hall | 1029 N. Howe Street | Administration, Finance, Permitting, Planning/Zoning
- Public Services | 1010 N. Howe Street
- City Garage | 210 E. 11th Street | Public Services
- Public Restrooms | 107 E. Nash Street | Public Services
- Police Department | 1669-A N Howe Street
- Police Department Annex | 111 N. Rhett Street | Animal Protective Services
- Fire Department Headquarters | 1011 N. Howe Street
- Fire Department Substation | 111 E. Nash Street | Fire Marshal
- Parks & Recreation | 209 N. Atlantic Avenue
- Southport City Gym | 215 N. Atlantic Avenue | Parks & Recreation
- Jaycee Building | 309 N. Fodale Avenue | Parks & Recreation
- Southport Senior Building | 311 N. Fodale Avenue | Parks & Recreation
- Community Relations | 203 E. Bay Street | Fort Johnston – Southport Museum & Visitors Center
- Southport Community Building | 223 E. Bay Street | Community Relations
- Indian Trail Meeting Hall | 113 W. Moore Street | Community Relations
| PROJECT NAME | STAFF MEMBER/S | CONSULTANT | MONEY ALLOCATED | SOURCE OF FUNDING | DEADLINE | FOLLOW UP/NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoreline Stabilization | Heather Hemphill, Bob Jarvis | Foth/Olsen | $5 million | NCDPS/Grant | 6/30/2026 | All easements obtained. Phase 1 (revetment) permit application submitted. Phase 2 scoping/pre-app meeting held – No major comments. $5M project funding extended to 6/30/26. |
| Pump Station Rehab | Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek | WK Dickson Engineering | $2.8 million | DEQ/Grant | 2024 | WK Dickson pump station and force main study phase complete. 6 pump stations studied. Pump Station improvements at Moore Street, and Park Avenue, and 9th Avenue are required. Bids expected fall 2024. With the merger completed, County review of the design Is required. The County will bid, award and assume responsibility for construction and closeout |
| Sewer Replacement | Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek | Wooten Engineering | $10.5 million | County using their state funds | 2024 | Project will replace 16,000′ of sanitary sewer in downtown area. Sewer between Rhett St. & Clarendon St., from Bay to Owens, will be replaced. Leonard Street pump station in process of design. Plans reviewed by City, comments provided to consultant. With the merger completed, County review of the design is required. The City will then bid the project. The County will award and assume responsibility for construction and closeout. |
| Yacht Basin Dredging | Heather Hemphill, Bob Jarvis | T I Coastal: Jamie Pratt | $41,300
($4,300 + $7,000 + $30,000) | Parks and Recreation Budget, Administration Contract Services, Capital Projects, Shallow Draft Inlet Fund | TBD | Up to $2.9M Shallow Draft Inlet grant funding awarded. Permit pre-app meeting held – No major issues. DA277 and DA281 being investigated for capacity and potential use. Shellfish study completed – no issues. On hold pending City Dock encroachment resolution with USAGE. |
| Construction Find & Fix (FIFI) Project | Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek | WK Dickson Engineering | $1.29m grant and $8M loan | NQDEQ-State Revolving Funds | TBD | Design complete. With the merger completed, County review of the design is required. City will then bid the project. The County will award and assume responsibility for construction and closeout. |
| Weather Tower | Tom Zilinek | $80,000 | TBD | Contract awarded. Fabrication underway. | ||
| Comprehensive Master Plan | Maureen Meehan | Stewart | $100,000 | General Fund | TBD | Staff are reviewing final draft of the plan. Plan will be sent to the Planning Board for a final recommendation to the Board of Aldermen. It is anticipated that the draft will be included on the PB’s August agenda. |
| Second Electrical Point of Delivery | Larry Ditton, Tom Stanley | $7,150,000 | Electrical Fund | TBD | Project need and magnitude is under review. | |
| Overhead to Underground Electric Conversion | Larry Ditton | BEMC | $1,600,000 | Electrical Fund | TBD | Ongoing, multi-year project to convert ovemead electrical Ines to underground and segmenting the system to minimize impacts of outages. West side of Southport expected complete by 2026. E Moore Street underway. |
| Utility Pole Replacement | Larry Ditton | BEMC | $50,000 | Electrical Fund | TBD | This project will replace deteriorated utility/lighting poles with new poles in the City. Replacement work is ongoing. |
| Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations | Larry Ditton | ElectriCities/BEMC | $40,000 | Electrical Fund | TBD | Ongoing – staff evaluating alternatives. |
| Dosher Sidewalk | Maureen Meehan, Tom Stanley | Ron VanCleeve, NCDOT | $60,000 | General Fund | TBD | City may be awarded partial funding for installation of a section of sidewalk along Howe Street, in the vicinity of Dosher Hospttal (from Owens to Fodale). The City is awaiting an Agreement from NCDOT. Start date currently unknown. |
| Franklin Square Park | Tom Stanley, Heather Hemphill | $50,000 | General Fund | TBD | Ongoing tree trimming/removal and park maintenance work, per the Master Plan and report recommendations. | |
| Stormwater Improvements | Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek | TBD | $125,000 | General Fund | TBD | Necessary repairs to storm drainage system, based on recommendations from stormwater mapping/modeling study. Defining projects highlighted in study and pursuing funding opportunities. In-house repairs/rehabilitation ongoing. |
| City Pier Piling Repairs | Bob Jarvis, Heather Hemphill | TBD | $15,000 | General Fund | TBD | Project involves design of repairs to concrete piles and caps at City Pier. |
| City Dock Slips | Bob Jarvis, Heather Hemphill | T. I Coastal | $18,000 | General Fund | TBD | Design of 9 boat slips, for city/emergency vessels, that had been destroyed in a recent hurricane. USAGE coordination for General Permit compliance underway. |
| City Building Repairs | Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek | TBD | $100,000 | General Fund | TBD | Misc. repairs underway to City buildings recommended in the Building Assessment Survey. FY2026 projects include Indian Trial foundation, porch and foundation repairs. |
| Old City Hall Improvements | Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek | TBD | $700,000 | General Fund | TBD | Hazmat remediation and structural analysis of the building, per recommendations of the Building Assessment Survey, complete. Temporary HVAC project completed. Evaluating RFQ for design of building fitout is underway. |
| Parks and Recreation Building Improvements | Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek | TBD | $75,000 | General Fund | TBD | The Building Assessment Survey recommended repairs and renovations to the Parks & Rec Building. This project included replacement of roof, gutters, exterior door and HVAC system evaluation. Door repairs underway. |
| Street Resurfacing | Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek | TBD | $150,000 | General Fund | TBD | Ongoing rehabilitation of City street pavement. Repairs prioritized based on condition, age, and street ADT. |
| Sidewalk Improvements | Tom Stanley | TBD | $150,000 | General Fund | TBD | Ongoing repairs of City sidewalks. Preparing project scope for Fall bidding. Work expected to be complete winter 2025/2026. |
| Community Building Deck Replacement | Tom Stanley | TBD | $95,000 | General Fund | TBD | Repair/replacement of wooden deck at Community Center. Soliciting cost proposals in fall 2025. Work to be scheduled in winter 2025/2026. |
| Lowe-White Park Footbridge | Heather Hemphill, Bob Jarvis | McPherson Marine Services | $170,000 | General Fund | TBD | Project to replace deteriorated footbridge superstructure. Contractor has ordered materials and is obtaining permits. Expects mid- August commence construction and complete by mid-September |
Please use the following list of Southport administrative staff contact information if you have questions, concerns or need assistance.
Southport City Hall
1029 N. Howe Street
Southport, NC 28461
Tel: (910) 457-7900
Fax: (910) 457-7948
Fax Numbers:
Finance/Utility Office/Tax Collector: (910) 457-7905
Police Department: (910) 457-0302
Public Services: (910) 457-7101
Fire Department: (910) 457-7904
Rescue Squad: (910) 457-7098
Administration
Richard Alt | Mayor | Office: (910) 488-1740 | Email
Noah Saldo, MPA | City Manager | Office: (910) 457-7900 x 1011 | Email
Tori Deviney | Clerk | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1009 | Email
Patti Fortuna | Human Resources Director | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1042 | Email
ChyAnn Ketchum, MA, APIO | Public Information Officer | Office: (910) 457-7927 ext. 1040, Cell: (910) 269-7300 | Email
Brady Herman | City Attorney | Office: (919) 929-3905 | Email
Community Relations
Allayna Dail Taylor | Community Relations Director | Office: (910) 457-7927 ext. 1039 | Email
Jessie Labell | Community Relations Assistant Director | Office: (910) 457-7927 ext. 1032 | Email
Karen Martin | Building & Events Manager | Office: (910) 457-0665 | Email
Visitor’s Center | Office: (910) 457-7927
Finance & Utilities
Joey Kronenwetter | Finance Director | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1031 | Email
Jean Davidson | Deputy Finance Director | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1014 | Email
Kelly Tooley | Revenue Specialist | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1001 | Email
Angie Bates | Accounts Payable | Office: (910) 457-7964 | Email
Police
Todd Coring | Police Chief | Office: (910) 457-7913 ext. 1023 | Email
Matthew Burgess | Police Lieutenant | Office: (910) 457-7911 ext. 1025 | Email
Katie Ward | Animal Protective Services | Cell: (910) 477-1486 | Email
Allison Scouler | Police Clerk | Office: (910) 457-7911 ext. 1024 | Email
Public Works
Tom Stanley | Public Works Director | Office: (910) 457-7935 ext. 1016 | Email
Tom Zilinek | Engineer | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1021 | Email
Bob Jarvis | Engineer | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1045 | Email
Larry Ditton | Energy Manager | Office: (910) 457-7938 | Email
David Kelly | Vector Control, Mosquito | Office: (910) 457-7935 ext. 1017 | Email
Kevin Alley | Garage | Office: (910) 457-7935 ext. 1020 | Email
Jackie Smith | Office Manager | Office: (910) 457-7935 | Email