“Right now, I think that limited voting is the biggest issue in Beaufort County,” said Brinn. “One person, one vote doesn’t give the citizens of Beaufort County a true representation.”
Limited voting for county commissioner races is high on Brinn’s list of priorities if elected as commissioner, along with taxes — not raising them, that is.
“In the present economic environment, I would never support an increase in taxes on families or business,” Brinn asserted. “I vow not to support any tax increase if elected.”
Brinn has a different take on the issue of building a new Beaufort County Detention Center: the county just can’t afford to do it.
“Anyone who has ever visited our jail knows we need a new jail. However, in the current economic environment the only way we can accomplish that is through raising taxes or increasing (the county’s) bond debt,” Brinn explained.
Brinn said he believes the county needs a new jail, but until someone comes up with a really good plan to pay for it, the project should be put on hold. That’s only being responsible with the way the county spends taxpayer money, he added.
Brinn said a seat on the board would give him the opportunity to tackle the limited voting issue first. It’s an issue he maintains is of concern to many Beaufort County residents.
“People in Aurora and Belhaven don’t feel like they’re represented,” Brinn explained.
A hybrid-type system is what Brinn would support: a total of nine commissioners, six of those from districts, and three at large.
“There’re 100 counties in North Carolina and 97 of them don’t have limited voting,” Brinn said.