Onslow County government has hosted three of four scheduled public budget information sessions with less than desired turnout from citizens.

 Fewer than a dozen people turned out to the county's third budget information session held in Richlands Monday night. The previous sessions in Swansboro and Belgrade drew less than 40 people combined - even with a 17.3-percent increase in the property tax rate on the table.

"The turnout has been less than we anticipated. I really thought folks would pack the rooms," said Interim County Manger David Smitherman.

During the session in Richlands, Smitherman gave an overview of the proposed fiscal year 2009-10 budget explaining the challenges in creating the budget such as revenue losses coming down from the state level. That, along with the change in sales tax distribution from ad valorem to a blend of per capita and ad valorem and other factors contributed to $9.3 million less in revenue the county has to work with compared to the previous year.

The audience participated in a question and answer session where Richlands Alderman Hans Jacobsen said he would prefer to see a "fair tax," such as an increase in sales tax, rather than an increase in property taxes so that the county's homeowners aren't the only ones shouldering the burden. He also agreed with another citizen and said he would like to see a line item budget to better understand where money is going within each department.

Jacobsen said he appreciated the chance to voice his concerns and learn a little more about the budget process.

"It was definitely informative, and they have done a tough job in streamlining the budget," he said.

Richlands Alderman Fran Pierce also attended the information session and said she hoped more people would have joined her there.

"I just thought it was very informative, and I'm sorry people didn't come," she said.

Several Onslow County Commissioners sat in on the event, including Chairman W.C. Jarman and Commissioners Lionell Midgett, Barbara Ikner and Bill Keller.

Keller, who has attended all three information sessions, said the feedback he has received from citizens is that while they are not happy about the state of the budget and the proposed 8.7-cent tax increase, they are sympathetic to the challenges facing the local government.

"They don't go away rolling in happiness but they understand, which is critical," he said. "We're doing everything we can to cut our county budget, there's nothing else we can do."

The final budget information session is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight6/10 at North Topsail Beach Town Hall.

Contact Molly DeWitt at 910-219-8455 or mdewitt@freedomenc.com.