By Thom Roddy with Craig Jackson – Published March 25, 2024

Although we often don’t closely follow the Daily Advance, a recent article from March 5, 2024, caught the attention of some of our readers—and for good reason. In the article, Currituck County’s vice chair, Selina Jarvis, made a statement that struck a chord with many. Regarding the assistant county manager role, Jarvis was quoted as saying, “That includes helping a new county manager adjust to how Currituck County functions.” However, as astutely noted by our readers—and we wholeheartedly concur—a capable new county manager shouldn’t merely adjust to the existing operations but rather strive to enhance and refine them for the betterment of the county.

The Scandals

Amidst the cascade of recent county scandals intricately linked to ongoing operations, it becomes increasingly evident that maintaining the status quo is a luxury the county can no longer afford. This serves as a stark reminder:

• In a surprising turn of events in October 2023, Board Chair Bob White and Vice Chair Selina Jarvis took unilateral action, informing County Manager Donald Ike McRee that his employment contract would not be renewed. Shockingly, several commissioners revealed to BlackwaterReports that they were completely unaware of this decision until after White and Jarvis hand-delivered the notice to McRee.
• The seeds of discord sown in October 2023 by White and Jarvis bore bitter fruit come January 2024, catapulting Currituck County into one of its most tumultuous periods in memory. In the aftermath, blame shifted away from the architects of these decisions and zeroed in on Commissioner Paul Beaumont, who, under White’s direction, had engaged headhunter InsightGlobal. As recounted to BlackwaterReports by Jarvis and fellow commissioners, they were led to believe that county attorney Morgan awaited crucial documents from InsightGlobal, purportedly revealing Beaumont’s authorization for the online posting of the county manager’s job. However, what was anticipated to be a smoking gun ultimately proved as feeble as a damp cap gun. Despite a conspicuous absence of corroborating evidence, this revelation failed to deter five commissioners from pressing ahead with a motion to censure Beaumont in February 2024.
• Additionally, in January 2024, construction kicked off for the $70 million Tulls Creek Elementary School. However, a significant hurdle emerged as no provisions were in place for students or staff to access the site. Recognizing the situation’s urgency, local developer Justin Old came to the rescue by graciously granting an easement across his property, enabling crucial access for the school community.
• Once more, in January 2024, county attorney Megan Morgan took action by engaging with the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) regarding their complaint regarding prayer at the county senior center. However, during the subsequent board of commissioners meeting, commissioners voiced their apprehension, noting that Morgan had yet to apprise them beforehand about her response to the FFRF. This response seemed to dictate a policy typically reserved for commissioners, sparking concerns about procedural transparency and decision-making authority.
• March 19, 2024, marked another significant setback for county leaders as the North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled in Constanzo v. Currituck, a case centered on allocating tourism tax dollars towards unauthorized expenses unrelated to tourism. The dispute stemmed from a legislative amendment in 2004, modifying the statute allowing the county to levy taxes on tourists visiting the Currituck Outer Banks. This amendment specifically excluded the authorization of funds “for construction and maintenance of public facilities, waste management, and police protection” from allowable uses of tourism tax revenue. Despite this legal delineation, the county had continued allocating funds for these purposes over the past two decades until the Appeals Court’s recent decision.

Currituck County Code of Ethics

No county among the 100 in North Carolina has likely been plagued by so many scandals in such a short period of time. Currituck Commissioners have a history of failure when it comes to holding staff accountable. Sec. 2-88. of the county code of ethics requires commissioners to: 

• c. County commissioners should require county employees, subject to their direction and control, to observe the standards of fidelity and diligence that apply to commissioners as well as those appropriate for employees.
• d. County commissioners should take or initiate appropriate disciplinary measures against a county employee for improper conduct of which the commissioner may become aware.
• e. County commissioners should not employ or recommend the appointment of unnecessary employees and should exercise the power of employment only on the basis of merit, avoid favoritism and refrain from illegal discrimination and nepotism. They should not approve compensation of employees beyond the fair value of services rendered.

The Conclusion

In any organization, whether public or private, the bottom line is crystal clear: decisive action is imperative when employees’ actions result in significant financial losses or public scrutiny. “Heads must roll,” – meaning the business relationship with those employees must come to an end. Moreover, as Currituck emerges as one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing counties, it’s paramount for commissioners to set aside personal interests and prioritize the recruitment of a county manager with extensive experience. Equally important is granting this new manager the authority to enact sweeping changes in procedures and personnel, propelling the county into a brighter, more promising future.