By Thom Roddy with Craig Jackson – Published March 24, 2024

Donald Ike McRee’s Last Day as County Manager is March 31, 2024

As embattled Currituck County Manager Donald “Ike” McRee vacates his Old Court House office, the shadow of ongoing woes looms large over the Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) under his jurisdiction. Despite his exit, the plants persist in flouting state parameters, exacerbating a longstanding issue that has plagued Currituck since the ill-fated decision to erect a WWTP in Moyock first surfaced in county commissioner discussions. Millions of taxpayer dollars have been squandered, yet accountability remains elusive, with no personnel held to answer for the failures. This lack of consequence echoes a recurring motif in Currituck County: a conspicuous absence of accountability.

Like clockwork, each month delivers a certified missive from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality addressed to McRee. Enclosed within is the unwelcome harbinger of trouble – a Notice of Violation & Intent to Assess Civil Penalty. The burden of these penalties inevitably falls upon the residents of Currituck, who foot the bill month after month. Yet, in lieu of conducting a comprehensive search for a seasoned public works director capable of navigating the county out of this quagmire of recurrent infractions, the county’s response remains to merely throw money at the persistent problem.

The county’s staffing quandary persists, glaringly unaddressed by commissioners. This is not to disparage the county’s existing employees, many of whom undoubtedly possess commendable skills and dedication. However, the exponential growth experienced by the county has outstripped the expertise of certain staff members. It is high time for commissioners to muster the courage to make the requisite staffing decisions critical to propelling the county forward and mitigating the further hemorrhaging of taxpayer funds, which have already reached exorbitant figures in the millions.

Once again, commissioners stand at a crossroads, facing the imperative to recruit a seasoned county manager. The notion that intimate familiarity with Currituck is a prerequisite for the role is unfounded. What is essential is a mastery of management, ideally backed by a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) or equivalent credentials. Experience should be non-negotiable. The ideal candidate will maintain a professional distance, refraining from forming personal bonds with county staff. Leadership demands the impartiality necessary to make tough decisions, including initiating performance improvement plans and, if necessary, severing ties with underperforming employees. The county’s current predicament epitomizes the proverbial tail wagging the dog, as evidenced by the recent spectacle wherein 28 county employees threatened to resign unless Commissioner Paul Beaumont faced censure. Regrettably, at least one commissioner capitulated to this ultimatum, underscoring the urgent need for decisive action to rectify the imbalance of power.

Edited March 25, 2024, to reflect MPA vice MBA.