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