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 school tax revenue. She also explained that Sampson Community College requested release of $593,762 in prior-year capital outlay funds to continue a construction project. Commissioners voted to adopt the set of amendments as presented.

The county's auditor presented the annual audit and commissioners moved to accept it "as presented." The motion passed. The auditor told the board that government-wide net position increased and that the general fund showed an increase in fund balance; commissioners asked staff to use the audit figures as they finalize the budget ordinance for next month.

Department presentations shaped much of the discussion that followed. The sheriff gave an extended briefing on staffing, detention operations and revenue generated by jail housing, reporting about 98 sworn personnel (including deputies assigned by contract to municipalities) and about 48 detention staff positions (the department said two detention positions were cut during the budget process). The sheriff also reported the detention center generated roughly $1.6 million last year and a cumulative $26,058,018 since 2008. He repeatedly framed cuts as difficult but said further reductions might compromise public safety coverage in rural parts of the county.

Information Technology Director Ryan said IT's proposed budget increase largely stems from a one-time investment to migrate servers and backups in-house after a 2015 service outage and a recent outside security assessment. "The bad actors are now going out and looking for backups," Ryan told the board, describing the county's need to harden backups so they are not vulnerable to ransomware. Ryan and administration said the largest IT budget increase this year is for one-time equipment purchases while recurring operating costs are expected to stabilize afterward.

Transportation Director reported Sampson County Transportation served about 45,000 rides last year and continues to operate as an enterprise fund (no general-fund subsidy). The board discussed planned fare changes for out-of-county medical trips and noted demand for drivers and maintenance resources.

Public health and social services leaders warned commissioners that staff shortages and workload increases are constraining service timelines. Social services leadership said several positions had been cut and noted the risk that further reductions could slow mandated processing times or trigger state corrective actions; the department emphasized it would prefer retention-focused solutions.

At the meeting's close commissioners took a small line-item action: they agreed by consensus to add $1,500 to the travel line in the veteran services budget to allow the county veteran services officer to attend a national conference. Commissioners also reiterated the schedule for the budget process: the county's public hearing on the proposed budget is set for the coming Monday at 6 p.m.; staff were instructed to prepare a budget ordinance and fee schedule for possible action after that hearing.

The board recessed and scheduled continued budget workshops for the following day and additional meetings later in the week; commissioners asked staff to produce a final draft ordinance that reflects the board's policy priorities and any small adjustments agreed during workshops.

Ending: Commissioners said they will reconvene the workshop series the next morning to hear remaining department presentations and to prepare a budget ordinance for consideration after the public hearing. The board asked staff to return with any additional savings options, clarifications on grant revenue, and a proposal showing the fiscal impact of restoring any of the small cuts currently being debated.