Sampson County

The board meeting agenda focused on several key items including reports on secondary roads and the addition of roads to the state system, multiple planning and zoning requests involving rezoning and ordinance amendments, and the recognition of cooperative extension staff for achievement awards. Public hearings were held regarding Rural Operating Assistance Program grant funds, naming of private roads, the consideration of a draft animal control ordinance, and school roof repair funding. Additional business included considerations for a Medicaid transportation contract amendment and various consent items such as record retention schedule updates, solid waste collection contract extensions, and budget amendments.

The meeting included several public information items, such as updates on Sampson County Schools, water projects, Roseboro EMS, and an Ag Day presentation. Key action items involved holding a public hearing for the naming of a private road (Evelene Way) and reviewing the Hayne Stretch Road Subdivision preliminary plan for conditional approval. Funding was approved for the Lead Service Line Inventory Project via a DWSRF-LSLR loan offer of $80,000, and the Sampson Duplin Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan was adopted. Resolutions were adopted specifying a Deputy Finance Officer and designating fiscal depositories/agents (Truist and Regions Bank). Board appointments included filling a vacancy on the Mid-Carolina Aging Advisory Council. Information-only items included the 2025 Communicable Disease Report and previous Board of Health minutes. The Board also addressed the adoption of a Capital Project Ordinance for airport pavement rehabilitation, approved the lease of county property to two separate parties, approved tax refunds and releases, approved budget amendments, and approved a CPT Code and Fee Update for the Board of Health.

The meeting included a public information segment covering the 2015 Limited Obligation Bonds Refund Update and a Water Projects Update. The Consent Agenda addressed multiple items, such as changing the July 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting date to avoid the Independence Day holiday, adopting the updated Title VI Plan for Sampson County Public Transportation, approving the surplus of a Sheriff's Department service weapon for a retiring official, authorizing grant applications for Senior Services for urgent repairs and wheelchair ramps, authorizing a contract for lobbying services, and approving tax adjustments and budget amendments. The agenda also included appointments to the Sampson County Health Department Advisory Committee, board information reviews, a public comment period, and a closed session regarding ongoing investigations.

The meeting included public information updates from NCDOT, the YMCA, the Library, and Dewberry Engineers regarding water projects. Key action items involved presenting a Position Paper asserting the Town of Fuquay-Varina's Interbasin Transfer Request as "Unreasonable," receiving public comments, and holding a discussion on the County's official position. Other action items included discussions on the Solid Waste Ordinance & Fee Schedule, a resolution opposing the expansion of the Chemours Fayetteville Works Facility, and the Roseboro Dive Team Contract. Board appointments to the Sampson County Health Department Advisory Committee were also addressed.

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and devotion. A key procedural item involved amending the agenda to remove item number three, which was then rescheduled for the following month's meeting. Public information included a discussion on the successful bond refunding of 2015 limited obligation bonds, which resulted in over $2 million in total cash flow savings over ten years, equating to approximately $195,000 in annual budgetary savings, and also led to the county's credit rating being upgraded by S&P to double A minus. Water project updates covered the Ivanhoe project, the GFL project enrollment period offering reduced tap fees, the permitting stage for Clement Phase Two, work commencing on Southern Wales, and updates on Old Warsaw Road, which now requires an environmental study. The Iron Magnes plant issue is being addressed via a conference call with the contractor and a second engineering firm. County Manager comments addressed concerns regarding the Fugquway Verina interbasin transfer request, which will be brought back to the board in February with pros and cons analysis. The manager also noted the North Carolina House of Representatives' committee on property tax reduction and reform, emphasizing the significant reliance of county operations (nearly 60% of total revenues) on property taxes. Other updates included information on vegetation trimming by Duke Energy, the upcoming Samson 360 economic development event, a community college dedication, a regional incident management team academy, and an elected officials roundtable.