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Commissioners agree to pursue 1/4-cent sales tax referendum and approve county manager pay raise
Summary
Washington County commissioners unanimously agreed to move forward with placing a 1/4-cent sales tax referendum on the March primary ballot and approved a 5% salary increase plus a $275 monthly travel stipend for the county manager, effective July 16, 2023.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted on Aug. 7, 2023, to direct staff to prepare a resolution to place a 1/4-cent local sales tax referendum on the March primary ballot and unanimously approved a 5% salary increase and travel stipend for the county manager.
Commissioners reached a consensus to pursue the sales tax measure — the county's third attempt — and asked staff to develop an education plan for residents. Commissioner John C. Spruill moved that staff bring a resolution at the September meeting to have the measure placed on the March primary ballot; Commissioner Carol V. Phelps seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Separately, after a closed session held under N.C. Gen. Stat. §143-318.11(a)(3) and (a)(6), the board approved a 5% pay increase for the county manager accompanied by a $275-per-month travel stipend. The action raised the manager’s salary from $110,000 to $118,800, with an effective date of July 16, 2023, and was approved by motion from Commissioner Spruill and seconded by Commissioner Keyes.
County Manager/County Attorney Curtis Potter also briefed commissioners on staff changes and upcoming personnel transitions in the manager’s office and other departments; the board's action on the manager’s pay followed the closed-session discussion. The board recorded all votes as unanimous.
Next steps: staff will draft the sales tax resolution for the September meeting and begin resident education ahead of the March primary should the board proceed with final placement on the ballot.
