Commissioner District 5· Back on the board from the Dec 3 2018 meeting per county obituary notice Jun 29 2026 (re-elected 2018) and Dec 3 2018 minutes; oath Dec 5 2022 for the term ending Dec 2026; leave of absence from Oct 6 2025; died Jun 25 2026 per county release Aug 25 2026 ('District 5 seat vacant since ... passed away on June 25, 2026').
J. Owen Etheridge
Currituck County
No biography on file yet.
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Top issues during term (15)(Taxes Budget)
October 2026 budget amendments
The dollar amounts of the amendments were not stated in the materials provided.
State limits on county property tax authority
The proposed property tax limitation amendment could constrain county budgets and force cuts to services.
Electoral redistricting and November referendum
Teacher pay, benefits, and legislative advocacy
About $600,000 from the general fund, with no tax increase anticipated.
FY 2026-2027 budget and possible property tax cut
A property tax rate reduction may be coming, and a quarter-cent sales tax question goes before voters in November.
Board of Commissioners structure referendum
Adoption of the 2026-27 school budget
Total appropriations of $86,139,605, including a $17.6 million county appropriation and $16.2 million to close out Tolls Creek Elementary construction.
New Voting Equipment Purchase
County election equipment funds will cover the purchase; the exact price was set out in the vendor quote.
Quarter-cent sales tax referendum
The referendum could change how the county raises revenue, affecting what taxpayers pay.
School nutrition funding shortfall
Expected $200,000-$300,000 annual local subsidy for school meals.
Improving county communication with residents
FY 2024-2025 Audit Report
District is at break-even; county funding increased $1.7 million year over year.
2025-2026 Audit Contract
The audit contract cost was not stated in the published agenda.
DSS supervisor on-call stipend
The stipend costs $10,820, which staff said won't affect the budget.
New Library Director position
Adds a position to the county payroll; specific cost not stated in the minutes.
Decisions during term (0)
Recorded while Etheridge was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
No decisions found matching Taxes Budget.