Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry has confirmed that there is an open investigation into the practices of the county’s former finance director after a recent audit found deficiencies in financial processes that involves $1.1 million in county funds.
The audit presented at the June 3 Board of Commissioners meeting revealed that the former finance director “wired, from the County’s bank account, funds equating to approximately $1.1 million dollars through the end of fiscal year 2023, with subsequent wire transfers occurring into fiscal year 2024.”
Katherine Bigelow had served as the county’s finance director since 2019. She was dismissed in February 2024; on May 10, Perry sent an email to county staff informing them of Bigelow’s “recent passing.”
The county has 60 days from the June 3 audit report presentation to present a plan of action to the Local Government Commission.
In an email to WIZS earlier today, Perry said the audit – a public record – disclosed some of the information, adding that there is little else she can say at this point, per the FBI.
“The County was deprived of its monetary resources, resources which should have gone to covering legitimate expenditures and projects which the County has undertaken,” the audit report stated.
The audit report identified four “significant” audit findings: budget violation, reconciliation of records, internal controls and timeliness. In his presentation to commissioners, Thomas Price said his team at Whiteville-based Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams, and Co., P.A. noted that the county failed to comply with General Statutes by not having a two-signature process in place as it pertains to county funds.
This lack of secondary approval or oversight allowed for the finance director to post entries in the county’s financial software; the audit pointed to lack of sufficient training and cross-training practices to ensure proper handling of financial matters.
Citing timeliness of the numbers and the accuracy of the numbers they were provided, Price said they discovered issues that they couldn’t get satisfactory answers for.
“By November, she (Bigelow) wasn’t giving us information in a timely way,” Price said.
Price conceded that his team could have done a better job briefing Perry – who only came on board in November 2023.
“At that point, we didn’t suspect foul play, but we didn’t know,” Price said.
Over the past three or four months, county staff and the audit team have communicated weekly – sometimes daily, and Perry said, “We’ve had conversations…moving forward, things will be different.”
Commission Chair Dan Brummitt said he would like to see an agreement “defined in writing. There appears to have been some miscommunication along the way,” he said. Brummitt said he would go so far as to create an Audit Committee, made up of commissioners and others with accounting experience.
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TownTalk: Edmonds Tennis & Education Foundation Honors Scholarship Winners
/by WIZS StaffThe 2024 recipients of the Edmonds Tennis & Education Foundation scholarships were honored at a weekend ceremony.
Seven recent high school graduates join the previous recipients, bringing the total to 43 the number of young people to benefit from the ETEF scholarship since the nonprofit was established in 2018.
The ETEF is for young people between the ages of 5 and 18 who want to learn about tennis or who want to really get serious about honing their tennis skills..
But Dr. Jerry Edmonds also sees the program as a network of people to call on for guidance and support.
This year’s winners include:
Dr. Ervin Griffin, Sr., president emeritus of Halifax Community College, was the keynote speaker. Griffin offered words of encouragement to the scholarship recipients.
“We believe in you and your ability and willingness to embrace change and not fear the future,” Griffin said. “Whatever you do with your life, don’t quit,” he said.
As part of the 21st century workforce, Griffin said today’s young people must be like entrepreneurs, which means having to be open to change and innovation. Don’t let others with the “we’ve never done it that way before” attitude create barriers to progress.
Past ETEF scholarship winner Emma Hicks returned to the “clubhouse” – the term Dr. Jerry Edmonds, the ETEF staff and participants use to refer to the tennis center ETEF calls home – to offer her encouragement to the new recipients.
Hicks just completed her first year at UNC-Wilmington and said it was “the happiest and hardest year of my life.” She told the soon-to-be-college freshmen to “just get in there, put yourself out there,” when they arrive on campus. Also, find a studying technique that works for you and to make sure to find a good study/have fun balance.
For Edmonds, Saturday’s program offered a chance to recognize the students for their accomplishments and to send them off on the right foot to keep doing good things for themselves and their community.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Edmonds said. “We really enjoy doing this for the students.” Each student will get a $500 scholarship and a built-in mentor who will be available to the students during their first year of college – and beyond.
“It really is about those mentorship positions,” he said. “It’s always nice to have folks say you can go further.”
For Edmonds, that person is Griffin, the banquet’s keynote speaker.
“He’s the reason I pursued my doctorate degree…to this day, he pushes me to do more and move forward.”
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Vance County Commissioners Approve $57M Budget, 10-Cent Tax Increase
/by Laura GabelVance County commissioners approved a 10-cent tax increase and a $57 million budget Monday, June 24 at 4 p.m.
The special called meeting lasted about 15 minutes, and adoption of the budget was the first order of business. The budget was approved 4-2, with Board Chair Dan Brummitt and Tommy Hester casting no votes. Commissioner Yolanda Feimster was not present.
After a motion by Commissioner Sean Alston and a second by Commissioner Leo Kelly, commissioners took a few minutes to discuss their thoughts.
“I don’t like the tax rate,” said Commissioner Carolyn Faines. “I don’t want to put taxes on our citizens.” But Faines acknowledged the needs of the county and said she would therefore cast a yes vote.
Chair Dan Brummitt said he could support “some element of increase, but I can’t support a 10-cent tax increase.”
“I can’t support a tax increase of this much when people are struggling day-to-day,” Brummitt said.
He noted that this budget represents a 16 percent increase from last year’s budget, with $4.7 million being put into a savings account, largely because of unused salaries created by short staffing.
The overall operating budget, however, represents a decrease from last year’s budget.
Commissioner Tommy Hester said he advocates a revenue-neutral budget because he wants to be able to tell taxpayers exactly where their money will be used. That could be next year, when plans for a new jail are farther along.
“You don’t build a house without a plan,” Hester said. He also expressed his displeasure at a 23 percent increase in commissioners’ stipends when county employees will get only a 7 percent pay increase. “I can’t go along with that. My conscience will not let me do it – I can’t go along with this budget.”
Commissioner Leo Kelly reiterated his comments from a previous budget work session and said the growth of the county depends on the budget; he said he didn’t relish the idea of a tax increase, but he said he, as a taxpayer, is willing to do his share.
“If we don’t grow our budget, we don’t grow our county,” Kelly said. “It’s how we move this county forward.”
In concurring with Kelly, Commissioner Archie Taylor said the county is in dire need of some things that need to get done.
The board hasn’t increased taxes since the last revaluation eight years ago. “Now, we’re at the point where we know we’re going to have to increase taxes – either this year or next year,” Taylor said.
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Oxford Baptist Church Honors Retiring Minister Of Music, Organist Cindy Joy
/by WIZS StaffOxford Baptist Church’s long-time minister of music and organist is retiring, and the church is hosting a weekend of activities to celebrate Cindy Joy and her contributions to the church and to the community.
Joy has been with OBC for 44 years, and the retirement celebration begins on Saturday, June 29 with a Mardi Gras block party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The community is invited to come on out to the parking lot on Little John St. near the church. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy food trucks, games and live music.
Later that evening, beginning at 6 p.m., the church will continue its celebration with a formal plated dinner at the OBC Family Life Center. Tickets are $40 and a reservation is required. Call the church office to make a reservation at 919.693.5181.
Then, the next day – Sunday, June 30 at 10:30 a.m. – the church will honor Joy with a worship service celebrating her ministry.
Retired OBC minister Rev. Dr. Steve Bolton will be the guest speaker and those in attendance will hear for the first time the musical selection “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” by renown choral music composer Pepper Choplin.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 06-24-24 Noon
/by WIZS StaffClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Some of U.S. Hwy. 158 in Warren County to Be Resurfaced
/by WIZS Staff– information courtesy of N.C. Dept. of Transportation
More than 16 miles of roadway in Warren County will see improvements over the next year, thanks to a $2.4 million contract awarded by the NCDOT.
Carolina Sunrock, LLC, will be responsible for milling, resurfacing and shoulder reconstruction along U.S. Hwy. 158 from U.S. Hwy. 1 to U.S. Hwy. 158 business as well as six secondary roads, according to information from NCDOT Spokesperson Kim Deaner.
Work can begin as early as this month and completion is expected by late 2025.
Granville, Warren Awarded Grants From N.C. Emergency Management
/by WIZS StaffTwo local counties have been awarded Capacity Building Competitive Grants from North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM). NCEM has announced the recipients of the 2024 Capacity Building Competitive Grant Program (CBCG).
Granville County will get $115,000 for purchase of a disaster laundry trailer and Warren County is getting $61,000 for a mass care and disaster sheltering project.
The CBCG Program was authorized by the N.C. General Assembly for FY24 in the amount of $1,925,578.00 with the purpose to provide funding for building local emergency management capabilities, closing preparedness, response, or recovery gaps and to assist local emergency management agencies across the state with building capacity to effectively respond to all-hazards.
To be eligible for this grant program, counties must have a population less than 230,000 (based on the 2021 Certified County Population Estimates from the State Demographer, housed in the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management).
The target priorities of the 2024 CBCG Program are:
“I would like to thank all of the applicants for taking the time to submit projects that will increase local capacity and ultimately build more resilient communities” said NCEM Director Will Ray. “North Carolina is fortunate to have such dedicated local emergency managers that always seek opportunities to build capacity to effectively respond and recover to any threat or hazard.”
Vance Charter Student Completes Week As Page In N.C. House Of Representatives
/by WIZS Staff— Courtesy of the Office of N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon
Noah Bean, a rising senior at Vance Charter School, got to see the legislative process “up close and personal” recently as he participated in the N.C. House Page Program.
Bean, son of Ashley and Michael Bean of Henderson, is also the school’s Student Body President. He was sponsored by N.C. House Rep. Frank Sossamon to participate in the page program. High school sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible to apply for the program, designed to provide students with an educational experience while connecting them directly with elected leaders and offering an inside look at the workings of state government, according to a press release from Clai Keel, a staffer in Sossamon’s office.
“The House Page Program is an incredible opportunity for young minds to immerse themselves in the legislative process,” Sossamon said. “It equips them with knowledge and experience that go beyond textbooks, preparing them for active citizenship and leadership roles in the future.”
Pages get to see how a bill becomes law, gain insights into the structure of state government and understand the legislative process.
Reflecting on his experience, Bean shared, “I gained an inside look and a deeper understanding of how our state’s legislative branch operates. We performed various tasks, assisted with voting sessions and committee meetings, and more. It was an incredibly valuable experience, and I feel immensely grateful to have participated!”
Students from District 32 and beyond are encouraged to consider this opportunity for the long session in 2025. The weeks available for service during the long session (odd-numbered years) are from February through August, while in the short session (even-numbered years), the weeks begin in mid-April/May through August. Pages serve for one week and must be sponsored by a Member of the N.C. House of Representatives.
During their week of service, Pages attend sessions in the House Chamber where bills are introduced, debated and passed. They are assigned to strategic stations throughout the Chamber, assisting House Members by delivering messages, bills, amendments, committee reports and other documents as needed.
Applications will be available online prior to the start of each session. The selection process for this program is highly competitive and appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information about the application process, visit the North Carolina House Page Program website.
Franklin Co. Approves $125M Budget
/by WIZS Staff– information courtesy of Franklin Co. Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a $125 million budget earlier this month that includes a tax rate of 50.5 cents per $100 valuation and a capital improvement plan for the general fund, public utilities and solid waste.
The previous tax rate had been 78.5 cents per $100 valuation, so the new tax rate represents a 28-cent drop. The new rate is just a shade over the revenue-neutral rate of 49.91 cents per $100 valuation.
County Manager Kim Denton presented the recommended budget to commissioners on May 20.
The new budget provides for more staffing in areas that provide direct services to residents, provides for purchase of vehicles to accomplish service delivery and maintains a competitive employee compensation and benefits for county employees, as well as provides funding to complete infrastructure and economic expansion projects, according to information from Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III.
County Attorney Gena McCray reported to commissioners at the June 10 meeting that the Franklin County Board of Education had met earlier that day and had amended its FY25 budget request to $30,541,812 for local expenses and $1,890,611 for capital outlay expenses for a total of $32,432,423. Support for education represents 30.8 percent of the county’s FY25 General Fund budget.
Highlights from the FY25 Budget include:
The county’s annual Fee Schedule was adopted by Board resolution. The complete Fee Schedule can be found at https://www.franklincountync.gov/county_services/budget___finance/index.php
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 06-21-24 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
TownTalk: Does Vance County Know Where Its Money Is?
/by Laura GabelVance County Manager C. Renee Perry has confirmed that there is an open investigation into the practices of the county’s former finance director after a recent audit found deficiencies in financial processes that involves $1.1 million in county funds.
The audit presented at the June 3 Board of Commissioners meeting revealed that the former finance director “wired, from the County’s bank account, funds equating to approximately $1.1 million dollars through the end of fiscal year 2023, with subsequent wire transfers occurring into fiscal year 2024.”
Katherine Bigelow had served as the county’s finance director since 2019. She was dismissed in February 2024; on May 10, Perry sent an email to county staff informing them of Bigelow’s “recent passing.”
The county has 60 days from the June 3 audit report presentation to present a plan of action to the Local Government Commission.
In an email to WIZS earlier today, Perry said the audit – a public record – disclosed some of the information, adding that there is little else she can say at this point, per the FBI.
“The County was deprived of its monetary resources, resources which should have gone to covering legitimate expenditures and projects which the County has undertaken,” the audit report stated.
The audit report identified four “significant” audit findings: budget violation, reconciliation of records, internal controls and timeliness. In his presentation to commissioners, Thomas Price said his team at Whiteville-based Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams, and Co., P.A. noted that the county failed to comply with General Statutes by not having a two-signature process in place as it pertains to county funds.
This lack of secondary approval or oversight allowed for the finance director to post entries in the county’s financial software; the audit pointed to lack of sufficient training and cross-training practices to ensure proper handling of financial matters.
Citing timeliness of the numbers and the accuracy of the numbers they were provided, Price said they discovered issues that they couldn’t get satisfactory answers for.
“By November, she (Bigelow) wasn’t giving us information in a timely way,” Price said.
Price conceded that his team could have done a better job briefing Perry – who only came on board in November 2023.
“At that point, we didn’t suspect foul play, but we didn’t know,” Price said.
Over the past three or four months, county staff and the audit team have communicated weekly – sometimes daily, and Perry said, “We’ve had conversations…moving forward, things will be different.”
Commission Chair Dan Brummitt said he would like to see an agreement “defined in writing. There appears to have been some miscommunication along the way,” he said. Brummitt said he would go so far as to create an Audit Committee, made up of commissioners and others with accounting experience.
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