Onslow County finance director reports revenues on target; resiliency grant possible

Kevin Patterson, Onslow County’s finance director, told the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 18 that the county’s revenues are generally on track and highlighted several items for follow up.

Patterson said property‑tax collections year‑to‑date total about $143 million. Sales‑tax receipts were reported at roughly $67 million through July 31, and Patterson said the county expects to receive about $13 million more that will put sales‑tax collections near budget target. He cautioned that intergovernmental revenues are estimate‑driven and depend on reimbursement timing.

Patterson noted a correction to solid‑waste figures: total revenue for the year to 06/30/2025 should be $9,544,000 (up from $9,300,000 the prior year). He said operating expenditures appear higher on the report because landfill closure, post‑closure and depreciation items were included as accruals; those non‑budgetary items raised landfill post‑closure accruals from about $1,000,000 to $3,300,000 in the current year.

Patterson also reported the county has applied for a resiliency grant in coordination with Camp Lejeune and the city of Jacksonville, and said the county expects a determination in September; "we're expecting a favorable determination," he told the board, and the grant could exceed $1 million if awarded. He said a grant manager position has been offered and tentatively accepted, with a projected start date of Sept. 2.

Patterson said general‑fund expenditures remain under budget overall and that the county is reviewing transfers of lapse health‑insurance premiums into the health reserve as part of year‑end accounting and closeout work. He said airport revenues are steady and that restricted intergovernmental reimbursements reflect timing differences.

What’s next: the finance office plans to present a draft audit and year‑end figures at the October meeting.