At the regularly scheduled Board of Aldermen meeting on February 13, 2025, the Board of Aldermen voted to send two resolutions, respectively, to the North Carolina General Assembly to review for the upcoming legislative cycle.

The first resolution, entitled “RESOLUTION#25-0213.01 REQUESTING THE CITY OF SOUTHPORT DELEGATION TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA TO INTRODUCE AND SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO HOLD A REFERENDUM AUTHORIZING A PREPARED MEALS TAX,” requests that a one percent (1%) local prepared foods and beverage tax be approved for implementation in the City of Southport. In addition to local sales and use taxes, the prepared meals tax would be used for public safety and infrastructure capital needs for the City of Southport.

The second resolution, entitled “A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF HB24 AN ACT TO RESTORE THE AUTHORITY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO INITIATE DOWNZONING RESOLUTION#25-0213.02,” is a resolution of support from the Southport Mayor and Board of Aldermen that requests that the North Carolina General Assembly passes proposed House Bill 24.