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Onslow County delays FY2026–27 budget vote as state tax moratorium nears final action
Summary
Interim County Manager Steve Eaton presented the FY2027 budget but recommended the board not adopt the plan June 15, citing recent state legislation creating a tax moratorium; the board will reconvene to adopt a balanced budget by June 30 after state action.
Interim County Manager Steve Eaton told the Onslow County Board of Commissioners on June 15 that the county would not vote on the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget that night because of recent state legislation establishing a tax moratorium.
Eaton summarized the budget presented June 1, which was balanced at a 55-cent tax rate, but said that if the moratorium becomes law the county will need to rebalance the plan at the current 65.5-cent rate to preserve continuity of county operations. Eaton recommended postponing adoption and scheduled a special meeting by June 30 so the board can approve the final FY2027 budget in time to meet the legal July 1 requirement for a balanced budget.
No public commenters signed up to speak on the budget at the meeting. Commissioners discussed contingencies and expressed frustration with the state process: several commissioners said the county had prepared a budget based on updated property valuations and must now reconsider dependent on state action. Commissioner Bennett said the county tax stabilization fund provides a cushion while the situation is resolved.
What’s next: county staff will monitor state action on the moratorium and reconvene in a special meeting before June 30 to adopt a final balanced budget.
