Carteret County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Carteret County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
County leadership transition
Sharon Griffin is retiring as county manager, and the board picked Matt Reynal to hold the fort as interim manager starting November 2. Trey Ferguson takes over as county attorney October 1. The goal is a smooth handoff with Griffin staying through year-end to help.
FY 2026-27 Budget and Tax Rate
The county locked in next year's budget at a 22.5-cent tax rate after a debate over cutting a penny. Commissioners Clark and Shinn argued surpluses show room to give money back; the majority pointed to a pending salary study, rising insurance costs, and sales tax uncertainty. A penny is worth about $14 a month to the average homeowner.
New ZIP code for western Carteret County
Residents of Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, Bogue, and Peletier share a ZIP code with Onslow County, causing mail confusion and misattributed sales tax revenue. The Board formally asked the USPS to create a unique ZIP code for the area.