La Grange council approves withdrawal from Eastern Carolina Council
The La Grange Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to withdraw from membership in the Eastern Carolina Council, citing concerns about the organization’s financial condition, management problems and its ability to effectively serve member governments. The withdrawal will take effect July 1, 2026.
The town’s current annual membership fee is $1,048. Under the Eastern Carolina Council charter and bylaws, member governments must provide written notice of withdrawal by May 1 for the action to take effect at the end of the fiscal year. Town officials said Monday night’s vote ensures that deadline will be met.
Discussion focused primarily on what town officials described as severe financial and management problems within the regional council of governments. According to town officials, ECC currently has about $7,000 in liquid funds despite needing roughly $150,000 for minimum operations, and dues are expected to increase beginning July 1.
Town officials also pointed to broader concerns about governance and confidence in the organization’s future. They said the council did not want to continue spending local tax dollars on membership fees for an organization in that condition.
“When we learned the full extent of ECC’s financial situation, the path forward was clear,” Town Manager Shawn Condon said. “We have an obligation to be responsible stewards of public funds, and the Council acted decisively on that obligation Monday night.”
As part of the action, council directed staff to research and develop alternatives for services previously provided through ECC, particularly regional transportation planning, rural planning organization coordination and N.C. Department of Transportation project coordination.
One additional post-meeting item from Monday’s session was council’s vote to schedule a workshop meeting for Thursday, April 30, at 10 a.m.
