Jacksonville is pushing a fast-moving plan in Raleigh that could radically redraw its city map, folding big chunks of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station New River and nearby training land into the city's corporate limits. The change would nearly quadruple Jacksonville's footprint and pull thousands of homes inside the city line. City leaders say it is all about making it easier for the base to buy local services, while neighboring towns are sounding alarms that the new map could choke off their future growth. The measure cleared the state Senate in early May and is now being debated in the House.
What the bill would do
Senate Bill 817 would add specific parcels of Camp Lejeune, New River Air Station and the Marine Corps Special Operations Command at Stones Bay and the New River to Jacksonville's corporate limits. It would also make property in that territory subject to municipal taxes for tax years beginning after July 1, 2026, where permitted by federal law, according to the bill text. The proposal states that "This act shall not create or increase any right for a city to regulate or otherwise influence activities of the federal government" and sets an effective date of June 30, 2026. The Senate voted to pass the measure in early May and tracking sites show it is now working its way through House committees; see the NC General Assembly for the full bill text and LegiScan for roll calls and status.
City frames annexation as service-driven
City officials say the annexation is about logistics, not land. They argue that bringing parts of the bases into Jacksonville would let the city enter into contracts more easily with the Marine Corps for work such as traffic signal maintenance and hauling dirt and gravel for training ranges. In an interview with WUNC, Deputy City Manager Ron Massey, who serves as the city's military liaison, said, "We just want to be available to support the base." He added that most of the land in question is training area, but that the plan would include the homes of roughly 3,000 people.
Holly Ridge officials and lawmakers push back
Not everyone is buying Jacksonville's explanation. Nearby Holly Ridge passed a resolution opposing the annexation, and Mayor Pete Parnian — who says his town was not notified before the bill was filed — warned the move could give Jacksonville extraterritorial planning jurisdiction that would hem in Holly Ridge's future growth. Parnian told reporters the proposal amounts to a "land grab" and questioned the city's explanation about traffic signals and gravel. The Marine Corps installations office in North Carolina said it is reviewing the proposal and that the Navy would not oppose it unless it would adversely affect operations and training, according to WUNC. Local reporting on Holly Ridge's recent development fights helps explain why town leaders are wary; see coverage of the town's annexation debate at WECT.
What's next and legal limits
The military would have to sign off on any change in jurisdiction, and the bill itself attempts to limit municipal authority over federal operations. It repeats that "This act shall not create or increase any right for a city to regulate or otherwise influence activities of the federal government," per the bill text. NC General Assembly records show Senate Bill 817 is scheduled for review in House committees and subcommittees as it moves through Raleigh, while LegiScan tracks the recent re-referrals and votes. How lawmakers reconcile municipal service contracts, taxation and the military's operational needs will determine whether the measure becomes law ahead of its stated June 30, 2026 effective date.
Jacksonville officials say they are open to talks with neighboring towns and the base to work out ETJ and service boundaries, while Holly Ridge leaders say they want clear guarantees before any map or tax changes take effect. Expect more hearings in Raleigh and local meetings in Onslow County as the state House weighs whether to approve the annexation plan.
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