One issue we believe is being overlooked is that rising property assessments affect both Onslow County and Holly Ridge property taxes. Much of the public discussion focuses solely on Onslow County, but approximately 33% of Summerhouse residents’ total property tax liability goes to Holly Ridge through the municipal tax rate. That means when assessed property values increase substantially, Holly Ridge also receives a significant increase in tax revenue unless its rate is meaningfully reduced.

These recent reassessments and correlating tax increase will be effective as of January 1, 2026, meaning many residents could soon face dramatically higher total property tax bills from both the county and the town for the entire year.

Even if the town technically lowers the tax rate by a penny or two, as they have recently discussed, many homeowners will still see significantly larger total tax bills because higher assessed values drive taxes and collections upward. That is why we view this as a hidden tax increase and believe similar attention should be paid to the municipal portion of the tax burden, not just the county side.

What makes this even more concerning is that even the town leadership appears to recognize the financial strain these increases create. One of our own councilmen has publicly stated on Facebook that rising taxes and insurance costs are devastating residents, and he has also acknowledged filing an appeal on his own property reassessment. Residents are asking why those same concerns aren't being addressed for the broader community before homeowners are expected to absorb substantially higher tax burdens. Instead, during budget discussions, many feel the focus has been on providing only a minimal rate reduction, allowing officials to claim they attempted relief while residents' total taxes paid still increase significantly.

What many residents find frustrating is that no one from Holly Ridge is calling homeowners to ask how rising property taxes, insurance costs, HOA dues, and reassessments are affecting their families, retirees, or fixed incomes. There has been little concern shown for the financial strain residents are already experiencing. Yet suddenly, residents are expected to focus primarily on how de-annexation might affect the town government’s finances. That cuts both ways. If residents are expected to care about the town’s budget impact, then the town should also care about the very real financial impact its growing taxes and spending have on the people paying the bills. Government exists to serve residents—not the other way around. Real change begins with putting tax increases to a resident vote or referendum!

Let’s use the figures published by a town councilman and ask who is telling the truth. Based on his publicly promoted figures on Facebook and Holly Ridge budgets, de-annexation would not financially devastate Holly Ridge. According to his numbers, Summerhouse contributes approximately $888,000 in property tax revenue, compared to a total town budget of roughly $13.6 million published on Holly Ridge’s website, equating to about 6.5% of the total. That figure also does not fully account for revenues generated from newer annexations and rising assessments. In other words, the claim that de-annexation would cripple town services or create a public safety crisis simply does not align with the town’s own financial figures. Like any government facing reduced revenues, Holly Ridge may need to slow spending growth, reassess priorities, or operate more efficiently, but that is a normal function of responsible government—not a catastrophe. We do it every day as residents and an HOA. A 6.5% reduction in income should not bankrupt Holly Ridge. So the question is, who is telling the truth - the councilman who posted the figures from the town and subsequently proclaimed DFG was providing misinformation and propaganda, or those who think annexation will result in significant cuts to services in Holly Ridge? Both cannot be true! And if DFG figures are accurate, as they were independently verified, then enough said. 

Property taxes are not charity—they are mandatory payments collected by the government with the expectation that residents will receive core public services and measurable benefits in return. Charity is voluntary giving motivated by personal choice and generosity. Property taxes, by contrast, are part of a public agreement between citizens and government: residents contribute financially so essential services like public safety, infrastructure, roads, drainage, and community maintenance can be provided fairly and proportionally. Bad fiscal management or uncontrolled growth by Holly Ridge is not a justification for Summerhouse to continue funding these actions. Residents are not arguing against supporting their community or helping fund legitimate municipal needs. This is a generous community, but that is by choice, not tax. The concern arises when taxpayers feel they contribute far more than the value of the services they actually receive. Or when taxes are used to support bad decisions and management, such as the looming Holly Plaza Apartment fiasco is sure to produce. Asking whether taxes reasonably align with the services they fund is not selfish, political, or anti-government—it is a fundamental question of fairness, accountability, and responsible governance.