Sampson County has a new director for its Board of Elections and may have its next county manager in the near future.

Donna Marshburn was officially appointed to elections director following a closed session by the Sampson County Board of Commissioners late Monday night. The Board of Elections met with the county board during its session, and announced its intention to commissioners. The Board of Elections, which consists of Jackie Hobbs, James Hall and Ted Lockerman, made the final decision as to who will be the next elections director. The Board of Commissioners’ involvement comes only with the setting of salary.

Marshburn’s salary was not immediately known. It was expected to be set Monday night, however the board was still in a closed-door meeting at press time.

Marshburn has been serving as interim elections board director since the beginning of February, following the departure of longtime elections chief Sylvia Thornton at the end of January after 39 years.

Marshburn, who has been hard at work in the last few weeks as part of candidate filings for the upcoming election, said she believes it will be an easy transition assuming the director’s post full time — and one she looks forward to.

“It’s just very busy right now; it’s a busy time of year,” Marshburn said Monday night. “I’m enjoying it.”

She said there is some anxiety, but Marshburn said she knows she has the experience for the job.

In addition to all administrative and budget preparation duties required by the Board of Elections, the director also provides back-up functions for the county’s Veterans Service Office, located in the adjacent office on Rowan Road. Marshburn has worked on a part-time basis in the elections office and has previous experience serving as backup for both offices, which often share operations in addition to their joint office space at the County Complex.

“I’ve been part-time in that office for the past 10 years,” Marshburn noted.

Manager

appointment near?

The county manager slot is still vacant, although board chairman Jefferson Strickland said he hopes to have it filled in the coming weeks.

“I don’t anticipate making a decision tonight,” said Strickland Monday night, prior to further discussion on candidates behind closed doors.

The county closed its deadline for accepting county manager applications at the end of January, with 31 applications received. Commissioners mulled over the applications and resumes and, over the past several weeks, have whittled the search to five candidates, who were subsequently interviewed in closed sessions held throughout February.

“I would say we haven’t ruled any of the five out,” said Strickland. “We hope to narrow it down tonight.”

Following the selection of the county’s next manager, salary will be set. Strickland said it has been his personal goal to have the next manager on the job by April 1.

“I don’t know if we’ll meet that,” the chairman noted, adding that the board did expect to have the person for the position selected “in a week or so.”

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.