Is our County Commission begging for a law suit? | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: This article originally appeared in the Beaufort Observer.

    According to Beaufort County Manager Randall Woodruff, the majority on the Beaufort County Commission are planning on paying for a new jail they are proposing by using non-voter approved long-term debt rather than submitting the issue to a vote of the people.

    But Article V, Sec. 4 of the N. C. Constitution provides: "The General Assembly shall have no power to authorize any county, city or town, special district, or other unit of local government to contract debts secured by a pledge of its faith and credit unless approved by a majority of the qualified voters of the unit who vote thereon, ..." In recent years a number of local governments have subverted this constitutional mandate. That is what Beaufort County proposes to do.

    Clearly the intent of the Constitution is that the people should vote on any indebtedness that requires the debt to be serviced by taxation. The subversion of Article V. Sec. 4 began when it was proposed that a local government could take on debt that was to be serviced by non-tax revenue, or even tax revenue that would be generated by the project itself. The problem, of course, is that a jail does not increase the tax base. In fact it decreases it as it takes property off the tax rolls that otherwise could be income producing property (such as selling or leasing land in an industrial park). The only way a jail can be paid for is by taxing the people. Thus, the burden is on the County Commission to show that they can finance a jail without using the taxing authority they have been given if they are not going to submit it to the people to decide.

    Of course, the gimmick they use to subvert the Constitution is to say that they are not pledging the full faith and credit (taxing authority) to repay the debt. But that is blatant deception. There simply is no way they can pay off the debt without using taxpayer money. And if they use tax money to pay for a jail that is money they cannot use to fund schools, provide EMS service or other county functions. It may just take a law suit to settle the legal questions.

    Sarah Curry, writing for the John Locke Foundation has a recent article on the issue of "Local Government Debt Increasing, and Sometimes Without Voter Approval" in a January 15, 2014 article posted at www.johnlocke.org. We would commend this article to our County Commissioners, County Manager and County Attorneys.
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Governor McCrory Announces Appointments to the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service County Commissioners, Government, Governing Beaufort County Governor McCrory Launches ReadyNC App to Help Families Prepare for Emergencies


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Latest Governing Beaufort County

North Carolina's Rate Bureau has requested for 2024 an annual increase of 42.2%, whereby North Carolina's Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has exhibited a great willingness to take a firm stand against such an exorbitant increase.
I reckon one could always argue that ignorance rests in the eyes of the beholder, but, I'm not taking that bet ... not in these Orwellian times, when so few of our fellow travelers know so little of what is real, and far too much of what otherwise might be terminally fake.
There were numerous local professional and educational opportunities showcased on Wednesday at the Beaufort County Job and Resource Fair.
Please click on the link to access the agenda for the Monday, February 12, 2024 City Council meeting
The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting with the Beaufort County Board of Education on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 3:30 PM at the Professional Development Center located at 845 Pierce St, Washington, NC.
The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will meet at 121 W. 3rd St, Washington, during the following times for their annual Planning Retreat:
The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will meet in regular session on Monday, February 5, 2024 at 5:30 PM in the boardroom located at 136 W. 2nd St, Washington, NC
This morning’s update included very minor changes to timing of today’s forecasted impacts.
This afternoon’s update from the National Weather Service (NWS) included another increase in the forecasted wind conditions for Beaufort County.

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This morning’s update from the National Weather Service (NWS) included an elevated threat of severe weather, to include the possibility of tornados, as well as an increase in the forecasted wind conditions.
Our office is continuing to monitor an approaching cold front that is expected to bring high winds, elevated water levels, rain and the potential for severe storms to our area Tuesday and Wednesday. Forecast details for Beaufort County can be found below.
Please click on the link to access the agenda for the Monday, January 8, 2024 City Council meeting.
Our office is currently monitoring the forecast of an approaching cold front that is expected to bring windy conditions, rain and the possibility of severe storms to eastern NC on Tuesday.
The Beaufort County Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 3:00 PM in the conference room located at 136 W. 2nd St.
This afternoon’s update continues to trend towards a strengthening storm system for our area Sunday and Monday.
This morning’s update continues to trend towards a strengthening storm system for our area Sunday and Monday.
The Beaufort County Commissioners meet each month for one general meeting to do most of the People's business here in Beaufort County, and we present that meeting in full review here on ENC NOW.
The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 4:00 PM in the Commissioners boardroom located at 136 W. 2nd Street.

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The Beaufort County Affordable Housing Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the boardroom located at 136 W. 2nd St, Washington, NC.
For decades in Beaufort County's government, a new chairman and vice chairman is selected by vote each year with only one criteria, constructively that there be a political agreement among certain key elected members of the Beaufort County Commissioners.
Please click on the link to access the agenda for the Monday, December 11, 2023 City Council meeting.
Beaufort County Commissioners have a myriad of responsibilities as Beaufort County's premier local government, and largest taxing authority providing the vast majority of public services in all corporate municipalities, and to a greater extent elsewhere beyond all town and city limits in this county
Beaufort County Commissioner Hood Richardson is masterful in digging up issues that are often glossed over, or not brought to the attention of Beaufort County's Commissioners; this issue regarding the recordation of hardcopies manifesting the record of our People's precious documents is evidentiary.
The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners will meet in regular session on Monday, December 4, 2023, at 5:30 PM in the boardroom located at 136 W. 2nd St, Washington, NC.
The Beaufort County Commissioners meet each month for one general meeting to do most of the People's business here in Beaufort County, and we present that meeting in full review here on ENC NOW.
The Beaufort County Commissioners meet each month for one general meeting to do most of the People's business here in Beaufort County, and we present that meeting in full review here on ENC NOW.
The Beaufort County Commissioners meet each month for one general meeting to do most of the People's business here in Beaufort County, and we present that meeting in full review here on ENC NOW.

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