The Board of Commissioners on Oct. 20 approved a $20,000 amendment to a financial consultant contract for Jonna Sharp to continue work on county financial reconciliations, audit support and Munis year-end closeout.

County Manager Scott Whitaker told the board the original contract awarded earlier in the fiscal year totaled $25,000 and that Sharp is proposing an additional $20,000 to continue work through December. "She is averaging about 7,500 a month that is not covered by the association's contract," Whitaker said, referring to work beyond what the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners covers.

Whitaker said the county has identified salary savings from current vacancies—roughly $66,000 for July through September—that can cover the extension without a formal budget amendment. He also told commissioners the county has an offer accepted for a new finance officer, Keith Horton, who is scheduled to start Nov. 10.

Commissioners asked several procedural questions about the scope of work: reconciliations for family services, senior services, health-insurance posting and Munis year-end closeout were cited as principal tasks. Melissa Miller, interim finance officer, and other finance staff told the board that much of the work is time-consuming because previous transactions and reimbursements need to be traced back through multiple systems.

A motion to approve the $20,000 amendment (bringing the total contract to $45,000) passed by voice vote; the clerk recorded the outcome as "Motion carries 5–2." The amendment will allow Sharp to continue operational work that the NCACC does not fund and to help onboard the incoming finance officer.

Why it matters: The additional consultant funding is intended to close outstanding reconciliations and support completion of the 2024 audit and Munis year-end processes; the county remains under Local Government Commission scrutiny while audits are unresolved.

The board did not require a budget amendment to pay the invoice, according to staff; Finance will continue to report progress to the board and auditors.