[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6611939,"mediaKeyId","2892793-a78fbea9a039ad27991cb843372467f4","parentId",2892793,"title","Sampson County moves surplus property sales to online auctions to speed turnover","audioSeconds",335,"startMs",2321000,"endMs",2656000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892793-a78fbea9a039ad27991cb843372467f4&start=2321&end=2656","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892793-a78fbea9a039ad27991cb843372467f4/thumbnail_2321000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6611939/Sampson-County/North-Carolina/Sampson-County-moves-surplus-property-sales-to-online-auctions-to-speed-turnover","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611939-dcac02bdbd4494c6e2befb783a33a46b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153217&Signature=AGMZOgl2sJzU0RnlwUVVMG-FPzcgxHf5FHsIsNMinw44lXwDqFipV5y9P5MhRkx8UYKvsQ-DRwDPyIegbH5p4Uas55fU~jx9SxpOM5OtQi6X7Q4Q5cjBlbhbnvHokpaz0GnIoEl3gKPfoRbfSEmmuiILkUbGsU-j7iFZPkH55ybqQhIf-07laZW-tw3-XO6CH1MzmREDqzB35I6EyarYIFDVoTeERjY~aytxkLhvlQO-SaSo~QoeiHhc7uQbBXhBOHxZVzrfJyzuttNO0dtuNADojVcC~11qYsX3RD7jt1naqKzGWv5l0y1tK2PIrud09U-SrhseJ12bGnPYqn4VfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sampson County","date","2025-04-08T00:05:36.833Z","article","Sampson County commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the use of an online auction platform (e.g., GovDeals or comparable vendor) for disposal of surplus county property, replacing the existing in‑person annual auction practice.

Finance staff member Ms. Burton explained the change would reduce storage time for surplus items and vehicles, limit employee time spent running an on‑site auction, decrease on‑site cash handling, and expand the buyer pool to a nationwide market that typically yields higher sale prices. Burton told the board that vehicles and equipment currently can sit for up to a year awaiting the traditional auction, during which time they can deteriorate and fetch lower prices.

Commissioners asked about vendor fees and the share retained by the auction vendor; Burton said she did not have exact fee figures available at the meeting but would supply them to the board. The county manager and several commissioners supported the change as a modernization that could speed revenue collection and reduce liability exposure.

The board voted to approve transitioning to an electronic auction platform. Staff will return with details about vendor percentages, expected net revenue, and procedural steps for disposal under the new platform.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sampson County Board of Commissioners Meeting - April 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners approved a policy to use an online auction platform for surplus property to reduce storage needs, increase buyer exposure and improve revenue turnaround; staff will return with vendor fee details.","taxTitle","Sampson County, North Carolina","taxId",61429,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611944,"Sampson County adopts pay‑step change to ease salary compression; approves one‑time sheriff bonuses for professional certification",1785,1633000,3418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892793-a78fbea9a039ad27991cb843372467f4&start=1633&end=3418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892793-a78fbea9a039ad27991cb843372467f4/thumbnail_1633000.jpg","/articles/6611944/Sampson-County/North-Carolina/Sampson-County-adopts-paystep-change-to-ease-salary-compression-approves-onetime-sheriff-bonuses-for-professional-certification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611944-e101714ce930641c6e4ffe3493bca3f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153217&Signature=f~LGh43NeUKILkfc61Eh2C1ngXroxFbTn2VppEKUkSKkwFP6UfoeVaKxgZIcWt67om9RtFAIuMWUwCnbUs8VOyLB6gs5EMbL26x6TLdu4ZNCTyobe4BovEkd81wukLOm374QJ4ORkBriSk1d0-5rdCNk8cvXhNIXbK7ahQ1J1-Y7hbwnPhFkFs1TXMvX4krEz220m9PnoQ1CkFOalVY9WL~jpySh1qJb~ZDsfLqGpBhXy91ZcvHguswbhmBH9mINNkQ7XCqKHBiHrkrfl8WF~IWG5pdHUtplVlapnczWnvHc6E~JeN60Zzlzy2G3krYoMRXFe3Ouk8sCDDjFAA1GuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sampson County Board of Commissioners approved two personnel items intended to address salary compression and to create a sustainable career‑path incentive for law enforcement and detention staff.

Human Resources Director Nancy Dillon presented a proposed amendment to the county personnel resolution that would add a third step to pay grades so supervisors would not be paid less than subordinates when promotions and market hires cause compression. Dillon told the board the immediate and most likely affected office is the sheriff's office, where she estimated the change would affect 12 individuals and increase recurring annual salary costs by about $21,768. She said the third step is intended to be an administrative tool to adjust pay at the time of promotions and to reduce future compression without initiating a full county pay study.

Commissioners asked for clarification on what \"salary compression\" means. Dillon explained that compression occurs when employees with different levels of experience are paid similar amounts due to market‑rate hires or promotions, and that the step plan ties pay to time and grade to avoid such disparities. The county manager and several commissioners supported the change as a cost‑effective remedy compared with an immediate new pay study.

On a related personnel item, the board approved a professional development program for the Sampson County Sheriff's Office and the county detention center. County staff described a change from a permanent 5% salary increase tied to intermediate and advanced certificates to a once‑a‑year taxable bonus for officers who meet certification criteria. Dillon said the bonus is budget‑contingent and not added to base salary, and that the county currently has 11 officers eligible for the intermediate certification and 35 eligible for advanced certification in the sheriff's office; detention has three intermediate and two advanced eligible staff. The change was presented as a way to recognise training while limiting recurring salary obligations.

Both personnel measures passed on motions from commissioners and were recorded as approved. The board directed staff to implement the pay‑step amendment and to administer the certification bonus program according to the criteria and annual budgeting process.","Commissioners approved adding a third step to the county pay plan intended to reduce salary compression (initially affecting 12 sheriff's office employees at an annual cost of about $21,768) and approved a sheriff's office professional development plan that will award once‑a‑year bonuses for certifications instead of permanent 5% pay increases.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611949,"Sampson County adopts amended fire protection contracts setting default multi‑year rates and response standards",682,2665000,3347000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892793-a78fbea9a039ad27991cb843372467f4&start=2665&end=3347","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892793-a78fbea9a039ad27991cb843372467f4/thumbnail_2665000.jpg","/articles/6611949/Sampson-County/North-Carolina/Sampson-County-adopts-amended-fire-protection-contracts-setting-default-multiyear-rates-and-response-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611949-46ebc2dd0fd3b1b512ad73dc3541808c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153217&Signature=XiL6FFKWb3GVHrICVSuWJIGblIO3SEKfT0on~9xutGgqKy9~6nUhplIgiNs9ZZ0mwEjp37kMTex0myHe1axXPaLvWVSOobb6j4WWXJdt5Oj2fWD2asSAyIbE3o2c0rpetzak9LWcm7fWzPpY8u2NCgpAVsoxgEQQwPkUI4y2-BgFTXmmVduRwYmyTxRrY1umf6ZatJ--~62H~luaql6HebtTbYzOGaMBxeQ4~AGFMnuE~B-q6TQiUMygQGAkUN4VdKSPCuF25QaQ8sLPpUDWX7xMp4uCVX~5i0ay-yMVVKGlqIIeAlpZC0qlbjaY9de5KrTNspsq46dhoyVQFXyarg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sampson County commissioners approved an amendment to the county's fire protection and rescue services contract framework that sets default multi‑year fire tax rates and establishes minimum response and reporting requirements for volunteer fire departments.

County staff explained the amendment would allow the county to set a default, multi‑year rate for each fire district based on the existing fire tax and supplemental property tax amounts. In return, a department that accepts the multi‑year default rate must meet service standards tracked by the county's 9‑1‑1 dispatch and make financial records available for review. The amendment includes a requirement that departments respond to at least 95% of emergency fire and rescue calls listed in the contract exhibits, with specific response expectations depending on call type (for example, a Class A engine for a structure fire or vehicle accident where specified).

Attorney and emergency services staff said the default rate is the minimum a department would receive if it signs the amended contract; departments may still apply to the fire commission for a higher rate, in which case they must submit a full budget for review and a public hearing will be held. The board emphasized it retains sole authority to set tax rates.

The board approved amendments and separately approved the individual contracts for Taylors Bridge Fire Department (multi‑year default rate of 9.5 cents) and Vans Crossroads (10 cents). Both departments had earlier approved the amendment at their local level and had signed the contracts presented to the board.

County staff said the amendment is intended to provide budgetary certainty for departments and the county and to ensure transparent use of tax funds. The change applies to fire tax disbursements and does not transfer taxing authority from the board to another body. Commissioners and the county manager encouraged fire commission participation and said departments seeking rates above the default would present budgets to the fire commission for recommendation to the board.

No department budgets were rejected or increased at the meeting; the board's action set the default framework and accepted two departments' contracts under that framework.","The board approved amendments that set default multi‑year fire tax rates and require departments to meet response benchmarks; Taylors Bridge and Vans Crossroads signed the first contracts at the meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611954,"Sampson County officials present agricultural statistics, warn of farmland loss",654,544000,1198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892793-a78fbea9a039ad27991cb843372467f4&start=544&end=1198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892793-a78fbea9a039ad27991cb843372467f4/thumbnail_544000.jpg","/articles/6611954/Sampson-County/North-Carolina/Sampson-County-officials-present-agricultural-statistics-warn-of-farmland-loss","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611954-e9e0d6a295913eea5179737d95851d5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153217&Signature=cvTBTpzp3fhAwgkOSgc~P-BuqPLJ09DMOX7x09kaYqf0PeUSsBZ88eR8Tj1Iz7UOmcsCH2JVpFUoPBAUHPeTRYwuRt~nj35WobBLrUdD7IVAArpClaYf1HX4JiWbXJ2cEQOAAEejWPk~UowSEnfP1Jz~BXCP5EVW8giWH4vAHEn6e6VTbD1pUF9qxYt4Z9hAle4jecxSk1qYeYJ7QTFdFjh8ByRPTw8mEBz-QW0Yh4U-AgJS2HQpSrkcprfh1uviTiMqE~dES1rYEoEQS0Y3AEJkA0Sa3MdRoWLwEbs61QuVjLQEcA4IxJWurrKRE7fmnVvj6OTRFEeRVVdKWNEZew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County officials presented Sampson County agriculture statistics and told the Board of Commissioners that agriculture remains the county's top industry even as the county faces potential farmland loss.

Brad Hardison, joined by Ray Jordan and Jim Johnson, told commissioners “it is our number 1 industry in Sampson County” and provided an overview of acreage, production and employment. Hardison said the county has about 292,000 acres in active agricultural production (not counting approximately 200,000 acres of woodland) and cited total agricultural sales of about $2.1 billion, figures the presenters said come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the state Department of Commerce.

Hardison described crop, timber and livestock statistics: more than 200,000 acres in crops with sales of roughly $264 million; about 53,000 acres of managed timber with estimated sales of approximately $20 million; and pasture and hay acreage of roughly 9,600 acres with livestock sales cited by the speaker. He also said the county accounts for about 12% of North Carolina's total agriculture output and ranks high nationally for production.

Speakers discussed structural changes in the farm sector: the county lost farms over the past decade while average farm size increased, a pattern Hardison described as “the bigger getting bigger and the smaller getting smaller.” He said family farms remain dominant, accounting for about 89% of farms in the county.

Jim Johnson explained North Carolina's present‑use value (PUV) program and its purpose: to reduce tax impacts on farmland as development pressure increased in the 1970s. Johnson said the county currently has roughly 404,588 acres in the PUV program (figures cited in the meeting), representing about 48% of the county as farmland and 42% as timber, and that deferred taxes associated with those designations total about $5 million annually. He explained how PUV assessment differs from market valuation and how unit concepts and soil productivity affect values.

Presenters warned of possible future farmland loss under different development scenarios. Using American Farmland Trust projections discussed at the meeting, they estimated that under “business as usual” development the county could lose about 17,100 acres by 2040, with a higher loss under “runaway sprawl” and a much smaller loss under planned development. Hardison urged the commissioners to consider planning measures to reduce farmland conversion.

The presentation was informational; no county action was required or taken on the agriculture presentation itself. Commissioners asked questions and the presenters said they would provide more detailed information on specific points on request.","Cooperative Extension and county staff told commissioners Sampson County is the state's top agricultural producer by sales but faces projected farmland loss; presenters urged attention to preservation and planning.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6611958,"Sampson County approves grant applications as Ivanhoe waterline work begins",110,237000,347000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892793-a78fbea9a039ad27991cb843372467f4&start=237&end=347","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892793-a78fbea9a039ad27991cb843372467f4/thumbnail_237000.jpg","/articles/6611958/Sampson-County/North-Carolina/Sampson-County-approves-grant-applications-as-Ivanhoe-waterline-work-begins","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611958-0668124b0850868cd615c3867340c18c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153217&Signature=IzId57k1XRR9eFWflwBHr4PRHhKdg3tRSWQWNGK1NtFObPOw1rE4I~OcZkrjgUHxkHfcjIWrH9mOYr8SNNgLNO4W5TwpXBHooOsxAdiAeZe5-9tEUkLYZctwTpq32FAP-Igu7~1j2tBIiC0xsp8ftz7Y6QJf0rKHuH~6yHnG8fy8n95Djf1CAz0AsZvQBauDHN~lyaIcb160SDSxqOowaL2Xfk4xAv9dbBckesXhp~dejQrmX1jUBTYpkEMu~35PGK5yrYeCvaZCmYZrflNV~0KMIGYHS2mkdSyLdUsF8G3j0sb8cUMvXYeOcPHjh3827g0piovH6itHHxgM-8UpCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sampson County commissioners received an update that installation of a long‑planned water line in the Ivanhoe area has begun and approved resolutions to apply for state Division of Water Infrastructure grants to extend public water service to two additional areas.

County staff showed a short video of crews laying pipe and drilling for creek crossings. “The good news is the pipe's being laid at Ivanhoe now,” presenter Mark said, adding crews had installed “6 tenths of a mile of pipe” after a week of work and that the contract allows 18 months for completion. Engineer representative Ms. Elmer of Dubray Engineers cautioned residents that initial drilling and bore work under creeks would precede full service: “when you see them on your street, that doesn't mean the water will be on just yet.”

The board voted to approve two separate resolutions authorizing applications for grant funding. Dewberry engineer David Ralph presented project summaries: a Mints area mains extension with a total funding request of approximately $5,000,000, and an Old Warsaw Road area extension requesting about $3,600,000. Ralph said both proposals include construction contingency, administration and planning, and recommended the county approve the forms required by the Division of Water Infrastructure.

Commissioners were told the county already holds a $1,000,000 EPA grant that will be used to complete design work for both projects to maximise eligibility for Division of Water Infrastructure construction grants. When a commissioner asked whether the design money was already accessible, staff answered yes. A county official reiterated the applications are a first step, not a guarantee of construction funding: the grants must still be awarded.

Votes at the meeting authorized staff to submit the required grant application materials and to proceed with design using the EPA funds. No construction contracts were awarded at the meeting; commissioners said future steps would depend on grant awards. The engineering team said construction milestones included an overall final milestone of 12/31/2026 for the Ivanhoe contract and that the Ivanhoe work is progressing from McCoy Loop north toward Lisbon Bridge.

Residents and commissioners noted that fewer homeowners signed up for Ivanhoe service than projected, freeing funds to add Long View Lake Road to the Ivanhoe contract. Engineers said about 167 households signed up versus an earlier projection of about 350, and that the project will move slowly because the contractor has about 40 miles of pipe to install under the 18‑month contract.

The county manager and staff said they would bring more detailed construction schedules to the board in subsequent meetings and that design and grant‑application materials would be prepared immediately. No formal timetable for the two new grant decisions was provided at the meeting.

Details: Mints area — funding request ~$5,000,000; Old Warsaw Road — funding request ~$3,600,000; EPA design funds available — $1,000,000; Ivanhoe construction milestone — 12/31/2026.

Looking ahead, staff said they will present a more detailed month‑by‑month construction schedule at the board's next meeting and will return with any grant awards or contract requests once those are available.","Commissioners heard an update that pipe-laying has begun in Ivanhoe and voted to apply for state grants to extend public water to two additional areas — the Mints area and Old Warsaw Road — using $1 million of EPA design funds already available to the county.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sampson County moves surplus property sales to online auctions to speed turnover

Sampson County adopts pay‑step change to ease salary compression; approves one‑time sheriff bonuses for professional certification

Sampson County adopts amended fire protection contracts setting default multi‑year rates and response standards

Sampson County officials present agricultural statistics, warn of farmland loss

Sampson County approves grant applications as Ivanhoe waterline work begins