Currituck approves $600K pay plan, appoints Steve Hedrick

CURRITUCK, N.C. — Currituck County commissioners approved about $600,000 in recurring employee compensation costs Monday and appointed Steve Hedrick to complete the term of longtime District 5 Commissioner J. Owen Etheridge.

The revised pay plan moves the county to what County Manager Donald McRee called a “competitive plus” model, keeping employees at or above market rates while targeting additional incentives toward positions facing recruiting and retention pressure.

The roughly $600,000 general fund cost will continue annually. Asked whether it could contribute to a future tax increase, McRee said, “At this point, I do not foresee one.

The changes take effect with the September 5-18 pay period. Commissioners will consider the budget amendment funding the plan September 21.

The board also approved a 4% raise for the communications director to address salary compression created by the new compensation structure.

Chairman Bob White said Currituck is competing with neighboring governments for law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, firefighters and other workers.

“If we don't keep up, we have such a drain that we just can't, uh, fill the positions,” White said.

Commissioners McCord and Angel were recused because each has a household family member employed by the county and did not participate in the discussion or vote.

McRee said a separate proposal is also being developed to replace percentage-based incentives with flat-dollar amounts. Existing incentives would remain protected.

Hedrick succeeds Etheridge

Hedrick was unanimously appointed to complete District 5 Commissioner J. Owen Etheridge's term; Etheridge died June 25 at age 74.

Etheridge first joined the Board of Commissioners in 1994 and served multiple terms spanning more than two decades. He most recently returned to the board after being elected in 2018.

The Currituck County Republican Party nominated Hedrick during the 60-day period to fill the vacancy. No other nominations were made Monday.

After taking the oath of office, Hedrick joined the board for his first official vote — approval of the revised employee pay plan.

White called the occasion “a bittersweet day,” marking Etheridge's loss and the arrival of his successor.

Another commissioner offered Hedrick a shorter welcome:

“Welcome aboard. Buckle up.”

The board will not meet September 8. Commissioners return Sept. 21 to consider the budget amendment funding the pay plan.