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Onslow County adopts FY 2627 budget, approves roughly $1.6 million for new positions in 6–1 vote
Summary
The Onslow County Board of Commissioners voted 6–1 on June 29 to adopt the fiscal year 2627 budget, approving about $1.6 million to fund roughly 15 new staff positions while holding the county tax rate at 65.12 cents, after a debate over whether hires could be delayed.
The Onslow County Board of Commissioners voted 6–1 on June 29 to approve the fiscal year 2627 budget, a measure the board said would hold the county tax rate at 65.12 cents and add personnel the county says are needed to meet growing service demands.
The vote followed a contentious exchange over whether to delay hiring. One commissioner said the board had previously agreed that 15 of the recommended new positions could wait and said, "I cannot vote today for 15 positions that we agreed two weeks ago we could do without." That commissioner recorded the lone dissent.
A different commissioner argued the hires were urgent for public safety and social services, telling colleagues the county found ways to fund the positions "without raising the tax rate" and saying the additions cost "about $1.6 million." The supporter also cited a comment attributed to Chair Tim Foster — "crime doesn't take a moratorium" — as a rationale for filling vacancies now rather than waiting.
County Manager Mr. Eaton presented the administration's recommendation and stated the working tax-rate figure as 65.12 cents. The board made the budget adoption motion, discussed staffing levels and funding, and approved the ordinance by voice vote, 6 in favor and 1 opposed.
During public comment before the vote, Tim Boie urged commissioners to consider their personal and professional backgrounds and to put residents and employees first when making budgeting decisions. "Whatever you say, we're going to walk out this room and that's what we're going to do because that's what we elected you all to do," Boie said.
The adopted budget package includes new positions that county leaders said were initially cut in earlier workshops and then restored after further review; staff described leadership reductions earlier in the process and said some requested positions were deferred, while others were deemed immediately necessary. Specific department needs called out during debate included the Department of Social Services and the sheriff's office.
After the vote, Mr. Eaton reminded the public that county offices will be closed Friday, July 3, and Monday, July 6, and that the July 6 commissioners meeting is canceled. The board then moved into a closed session.
