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Onslow County commissioners approve consent items, tax-liens advertisement, bylaws and several routine motions
Summary
At its Feb. 16 meeting the board approved the consent agenda (with two items pulled for discussion), authorized advertising 2025 tax liens for April 4, 2026, adopted fire-commission bylaws and a documented volunteer funding formula, approved a surplus land upset-bid process, updated bank signatories, adjusted parks fees and adjourned. The board also voted to terminate the county manager’s employment.
The Onslow County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 16 handled routine business that included approvals of tax-liens reporting and advertising, administrative resolutions, and personnel and fee decisions.
Tax liens and advertising: Tax Administrator Kevin Turner reported the total unpaid taxes that are liens on real property stood at $5,876,945.29 (5,622 bills) as of the meeting; the board approved the tax-collector report required under North Carolina General Statute 105-369(a) and authorized advertising the 2025 tax liens on April 4, 2026 under statute 105-369(c), specifying publication in the JD News as noted in the presentation.
Fire commission bylaws and volunteer funding: Emergency Services Director Bradley Kinlaw presented bylaws for a newly created fire commission. Commissioners discussed establishing a documented funding formula for volunteer fire departments, noting an informal 3¢ set-aside will be formalized to 5¢ (as stated during discussion) to create predictable annual funding; the board voted to adopt the bylaws and authorized the chair to sign.
Real property and financial-authority actions: The board authorized the purchasing manager to initiate an upset-bid process for the county-owned 0.54-acre parcel at 102 Country Club Road after receiving an offer of $59,587.79. Separately, the board approved resolution 26-006 to add Deputy Manager Steve Eaton to bank check-signing authority.
Parks fee adjustment: Parks and Recreation Director Todd Brown requested and the board approved an adjusted fee for the summer day-camp second session to reflect a shortened calendar; the transcript lists both $230 and $238 in that item — staff stated the intent was to set a reduced fee proportional to the shorter session.
Personnel action: The board approved a motion to terminate the employment agreement with David Smitherman, citing failure to fulfill duties as county manager; the motion passed by voice vote as recorded in the transcript.
Meeting close: Commissioners gave general remarks about community events, elections and promotions in the sheriff's office before adjourning.
Vote record and formal actions: The meeting record shows voice votes on all listed motions; where roll-call names or exact tallies were not provided in the transcript, the board recorded motions as carried by voice vote.
