Show All Answers

1. How do I apply to join one of the volunteer boards?

Please submit a board application to the Town Administration Office. When a seat on your chosen board opens, Town Council will review all applications and make a decision. You will be notified if your application has been successful.

2. When are Town Council meetings?

Regular Town Council meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month at:

Douglass Community Center

450 W. Pennsylvania Ave

Southern Pines, NC 28387

A list of the schedules, locations, and contact information for all public meetings can be found online.

3. What is the difference between the Town Council's agenda meeting, work session, and regular meeting?

At agenda meetings, Town Council discusses and finalizes the agenda for the upcoming regular meeting. 

At work sessions, Town Council members informally review material for and discuss the items on the agenda for the upcoming regular meeting, but no official decisions or conclusions are made.

Regular meetings are the Town Council's opportunity to formally discuss and decide upon agenda items and hear from the public. Both agenda meetings and work sessions are closed to public comment.

4. What can the Town Council do?

Town Council is elected to adopt and amend town ordinances, adopt the budget, appoint citizens to various boards and commissions, and hire the town manager and town attorney.

You can learn more about the specific actions that the council can take online.

5. How do the five volunteer boards interact with Town Council?

Members of the volunteer boards are appointed by Town Council. The volunteer boards make policy and ordinance recommendations to Town Council, and the council votes whether or not to adopt these recommendations.

6. Do the five volunteer boards make decisions that are implemented in the town?

The volunteer boards do not have the authority to create and enact policies or ordinances. They conduct research and compile proposed policies or ordinances that are then taken to Town Council, which makes the ultimate decision in adopting the recommended actions. The boards do often work with other town departments to advise on policy decisions or actions.

7. Where can I find meeting agendas and minutes?

All agendas and minutes from public meetings are posted online or available by request.

8. How can I get involved in the town?

The Town of Southern Pines encourages citizens to participate in town activities and government in many different ways. The town partners with a variety of nonprofit organizations to put on special programs and events, and you can find out more about getting involved with any of these activities or organizations online. There are also many volunteer opportunities with some of the town's departments, such as recreation and parks and the police. Please contact the individual departments to find more information.

If you would like to get involved in town government, you can attend any of the meetings of Town Council and the five volunteer boards:

• Appearance Commission
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
• Board of Zoning Adjustment
• Historic District Commission
• Planning Board.

At regular public meetings, there is typically an opportunity for the public to make comments or questions.

If you wish to take on a more active role, you can apply to be a member one of the volunteer boards. Submit an application to the Town Administration Office, where it will be kept on file until a seat in your chosen board becomes available. Once a seat has opened, Town Council will consider all applications on file and make a decision. For more information on the membership terms for these boards, please see the individual board pages.

If you would like to join Town Council, you will have to run for the position during municipal elections.

For employment by the town, please see town administration's employment page.