A property tax showdown in Raleigh is creating uncertainty for local governments on the coast, including Onslow and Pamlico counties. The General Assembly just passed Senate Bill 889, placing a mandatory one-year freeze on newly reappraised property values.
State lawmakers pushed the pause button to shield homeowners from immediate tax spikes, following 2026 revaluations that saw residential values jump by an average of forty percent in Onslow County.
Proponents argue the freeze prevents lifelong coastal residents on fixed incomes from being priced out of their homes. However, county administrators warn the sudden mandate will severely disrupt local budgets. In both Onslow and Pamlico counties, local governments are finalizing their spending plans for the fiscal year starting July first…