County board gets road report

Monday night’s Sampson County Board of Commissioners meeting marked the first for new interim Sampson County Manager Jeffery Hudson. It was a meeting chock full of information, with board members discussing Black History Mont and hearing an update from the Department of Transportation staff on the snow preparation during January’s winter weather. Commissioner Eric Pope was not in attendance.

Sampson County Commissioners Chairman Allen McLamb opened the meeting by noting February as Black History Month.

“I would like to welcome everyone to our first meeting in February,” McLamb began. I would also like to take a moment to recognize that since 1970, February has been designated as Black History Month. We are proud of our African-American citizens here in Sampson County, and thank them for the contributions that they have made and continue to make of our shared history and community. Each of us is elected to serve every citizen of Sampson County, and I know we are all working to make Sampson a better place to live, work, and play.”

Commissioner Lethia Lee, Dist. 4, added her own remarks, stating, “Black History Month was created to focus our attention on contributions of African-Americans, people of all periods of American history, from the enslaved people first brought over form Africa in the early 17th century. We want you to join us in recognizing the pivotal role African-Americans have played in American history by acknowledging their many achievements. We need this to be a constant reminder, knowing our past opens the doors to our future.”

The first item on the agenda was a report by Daniel Jones, district engineer, and Lance Eason, maintenance engineer, with the local DOT.

Jones spoke first, mentioning the preparation for the winter storm that blanketed Sampson County two weeks ago.

“They did a really superb job making sure we were prepared,” he said of the work accomplished by the NCDOT in preparation for the snow.

Eason added to the snow report, stating, “Last time I was up here, I told you we might be riding around on snow plows and spreaders, but it won’t snow — but it snowed.” The audience chuckled at his comment.

He mentioned that the white line residue still on some roads was the remnants of brine.

“We put out about 130,000 gallons of brine the past two storms, as well as about 760 tons of salt,” Eason noted. “I had never really seen that in action before, but it does work. And we have replenished and are ready if another one hits.

Eason also noted the help provided by the city of Clinton in preparation and during the storm.

“The city of Clinton was a big help, too,” he stressed, stating they brined some of the county’s streets running through town.

Another update provided was that Bill Williams Road is closed due to a collapsed pipe, and work to repair it, he said, should be completed this week.

Eason noted some outreach events planned to get students interested in working for the Department of Transportation, saying one of these events will be at Lakewood High School sometime in March, shining a light on what they do at NCDOT. He said they will spread the word to get potential future employees interested in working for the Sampson County office.

Commissioner Chip Crumpler III asked about the new all-way stop signs going up in the county, questioning what goes into selecting a location for those four-way stops.

Eason explained that once they see several fatalities, they have to put in a four-way stop. “While they won’t stop fatalities, they will reduce the number of accidents and possibly save lives, and that’s what we intend when we do (put in four-way stops).

The Board of Commissioners approved the naming of a private road, PVT 1929-290m as Airplane Lane.

Tax Administrator Jim Johnson gave an update on unpaid taxes in Sampson County. “We’re at 91 percent paid as of now,” he said, mentioning the collection rate was normal for this time of year.

The liens on real property due to unpaid taxes must be advertised at least once, sometime between March 1, and June 30. Johnson suggested April 9, 2025 should be the advertising date for these tax liens.

He also suggested the Board of Equalization and Review hearing be scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, with appointment times from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

The county moved on with their consent agenda, which included a resolution of approving several leases of county property, one lease to Lynn S. Carr, and another lease of county property to Beasley Farming, LLC, authorizing the county manager to execute the lease agreement and any other necessary documents.

The board authorized the Sampson-Clinton Public Library to accept funds from the Grassroots Arts Program and the Sampson Arts Council.

Budget amendments were approved in the form of grants and additional state monies.

The Sampson County Health Department received state assistance in the amount of $12,500 for medical and office supplies, and a separate infusion from the state for $6,500 for medical services. They also were approved to write off uncollected balances in the amount of $83.57.

The Sheriff’s Department received grant revenue in the amount of $31,626 for department supplies.

Shane Sundlie was reappointed to a three-year term on the Sampson County Health Department advisory board, while Brittany Serafin and Eddie Parker were new additions to the board, each to serve a three-year term.