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Commissioners approve changes allowing non‑elected appointments to Onslow Water and Sewer Authority
Summary
The board authorized an amendment to the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority articles to let municipalities and the county appoint non‑elected individuals to the authority’s board and to stagger terms; proponents cited rapid utility growth and risk of large board turnover after the November election.
The Onslow County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to approve amendments to the articles of incorporation for the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority (Onwasa) that will allow municipalities and the county to appoint board members who need not be elected officials and to institute staggered three‑year terms.
A presenter told the board the Onwasa board currently is composed of eight elected officials and that, this year, six of those seats are on the ballot — creating the potential for a 75% turnover on the authority’s board in a single election. The presenter said Onwasa’s annual operating budget has grown from roughly $20 million to about $63 million and that capital projects on the authority’s books exceed $200 million. The change, the speaker said, is intended to promote continuity and reduce business risk for the utility.
Under the approved amendment municipalities and the county will be able to appoint any qualified person — not only an elected official — to serve on the Onwasa board. The speaker said all municipalities in the county have approved the change except Richlands; the presenter planned to take the Richlands vote the following evening.
Commissioners moved and seconded a change to approve the articles; the motion carried in the meeting audio. The amendment will take effect after any necessary ministerial filings and as municipalities complete their appointment processes.
The action at Monday’s meeting was an authorization for the change to Onwasa’s articles; Onwasa’s board itself retains authority to amend bylaws. The county’s approval authorizes the change to the articles of incorporation as requested by the Onwasa board.
