Sampson County hires manager, approves budget amendments and accepts audit during multi-department budget workshop

Sampson County commissioners voted unanimously to hire Allen Van as the county manager with a start date in July 2025 and, during the same session, approved year-end budget amendments and accepted the county's fiscal audit. The meeting also included department-by-department budget briefings that shaped questions commissioners said they will weigh before finalizing the 2025-26 budget.

The hire was approved in a motion that commissioners read into the record: "we hired a contract of mister Allen Van for a position of Sampson County manager with a starting date of July 2025." The agreement was attested by the clerk and copies were made available to the media; the chairman also noted, "it becomes official." (Chairman, first referenced at 00:02:25)

County Finance Officer Melissa Burton presented a set of year-end budget amendments the board approved to recognize new revenues and grants received before the close of the fiscal year. Burton identified specific incoming funds including $11,875 from the state Department of Public Safety for juvenile programs; $7,600 and an additional $7,500 in donations from Monarch Bioenergy (library and recreation); a $12,527 grant for senior-home repairs; and $25,000 of supplemental…