It didn’t take long for Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry to address what she called “the elephant in the room” during the “State of the County” report hosted by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Henderson Country Club.
Perry and Assistant County Manager Jeremy Jones reviewed goals, economic development successes, as well as several challenges the county faces as it moves forward.
When she became county manager in November 2023, Perry and county staff had in front of them a few challenges to sort through – including that “elephant in the room” that Perry mentioned: A former finance director who embezzled $1.4 million in county funds.
Perry said $1 million of that has been recouped, and she and her team are looking to the future.
Making financial lemonade from lemons, Perry said the county has overcome its past and now has much stronger internal controls in place to protect citizens’ tax dollars.
“We have a committed team of leaders who strive every day to make Vance County thrive,” families flourish” and stay strong, she said.
Always forward-facing, Perry said “our past does not define us. It’s the work we’re doing now” that counts.
Key to Vance County’s growth is economic development, and Perry said she supports responsible growth to create a stronger, more vibrant community.
The Board of Commissioners has chosen to keep their goals from last year and add to the list, Perry said.
The goals include:
- purchase land for an EMS substation in Williamsboro and an EMS central station
- pursue land acquisition, construction of a new detention center
- take next steps for the recently completed fire study
- continue construction of Phase 1B of the county water system and increase water connection signups by 20 percent
- work with city to build better relationships for services offered
- plan for using opioid settlement money and identify programs to reduce drug dependency
- retain or assist in creation of 150 jobs and $10 million in new investment
The county has 90 vacancies, most notably in social services – 42 vacant positions – and the detention center – 20 openings.
It’s tough for a rural county to compete with more lucrative packages that nearby counties can offer. Wake and Durham counties are just a commute away, Perry said, and that makes Vance County an ideal spot to live – but not to work. Simply put, Vance County just can’t match bonuses and other incentives that larger, more urban counties can.
The county did enact, however, a 7 percent COLA (cost of living adjustment), effective July 1, 2024.
She encouraged those in attendance to stay positive and hopeful for a positive future.
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