Wayne Week — Aug. 10, 2025

Wayne

WEEK AU G U S T 1 0 , 2 0 2 5

S P E C I A L R E P O RT

Tip of the

ICEBERG? The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor has completed its investigation into a slice of Mount Olive's government.

It's damning — and appears to have already cost the town Finance Director her job.

BY KEN FINE OUR TAKE

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AUGUST 10, 2025 Volume 2, Issue 52

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EDITORIAL EDITOR Ken Fine EDITOR Renee Carey DESIGN DIRECTOR Shan Stumpf PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Casey Mozingo

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WAYNE WEEK (ISSN 2993-9666) is published weekly — except the week of Christmas, Easter, and July 4 — for $125 per year by New Old North Media, LLC, 219 N. John Street, Goldsboro, NC, 27530. Periodicals postage paid at at Goldsboro, NC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WAYNE WEEK, 219 N. John Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

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{ our TAKE }

LET THERE BE LIGHT

W

e knew they were going to find it.

We have been here before.

When there is no one watching, when the organizations who are supposed to be keeping a close eye on those who serve the public do little more than rewrite press releases or pen sunshine and moonbeams gossip columns — and are too afraid to challenge anyone, or are just simply uninterested in anything except counting the checks — the stage is set.

So, we were not surprised at the amount of garbage that needed to be taken out across the county these last few years.

And because we have all stood firm that we were not going to turn our heads the other way, that we were going to stand up and speak up, change is happening.

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You see it all across Wayne County — from the Goldsboro City Council to the Board of Education.

Accountability is no longer something we talk about over fences and complain about to neighbors, family, and friends.

We are doing something about it. We have done something about it.

We are proud to have been the town criers that have sounded the alarm about everything from poor performance inside the county’s schools and in Goldsboro City Hall, to money that seemed to be slipping away in budgets all around the area and a sheriff’s department that had one of the most shocking scandals we have seen in a long time.

We called foul when we had officeholders who had no business being in office — and pointed out hypocri-

sy when we saw it (and we saw plenty of it).

Pikeville is on the mend now because we stood firm against arrogance and entitlement.

We did not just sit back and laugh when we saw Goldsboro City Council meetings that were about little more than race-baiting and bickering.

We did not suffer fools.

And we did all those things with the help of a whole crew of courageous and fed-up residents who were not willing to sit back and just watch helplessly anymore.

And now, we are reaping the fruits of that hard work.

There might be no future for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base’s F-15E fleet if we had all not decided to take a stand.

Our schools might not be improving.

And our city would not be safer because we gave our officeholders the permission to do what was necessary and raise taxes to increase police pay — a decision that was not popular, by the way.

And, most importantly, we started to put the right people in office.

Wayne County and Goldsboro are better for it — all of it.

But even with everything that has happened over the last few years, and the stuff we never thought we would ever see in our community, we were taken aback when we read the report from the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor about his findings in Mount Olive.

Now, don’t get us wrong. We were not surprised that there were findings.

We have been watching, reporting, and listening, for a long time.

And we knew there were budgets that did not make sense and decisions that smacked of something fishy going on.

We also knew residents and former leaders were worried — and that the town was at a critical juncture.

Without better leadership, stricter budgets, and a plan to deal with everything from wastewater issues that had development at a standstill to personnel problems that were nothing short of mismanaged messes, Mount Olive was not just going to miss out on opportunities, it was going to be bankrupt.

And that wasn’t all of it — not by a long shot.

We have a long history with the town.

There are good people there — residents who have deep roots and strong faith.

They don’t just want to preserve the town’s history, they want to usher it into a new horizon — to help it grow and prosper so that it will be a place their children and grandchildren want to come home to someday.

And they want to do their parents and grandparents proud by taking care of the land and the town they worked so hard to build.

So, yes, there are good bones in Mount Olive.

That’s for sure.

But the other truth?

We think every single person who lives there will be shocked at how bad it has gotten.

There is a lot to unpack in the auditor’s report — the result of deep dives into just a couple of the town’s departments.

That’s right, we said “a couple.”

The auditor’s office thinks there is a lot more that needs to be looked at more closely.

And State Rep. John Bell, who has been a champion for Mount Olive for years, thinks the state and the town residents deserve answers and transparency that can only come with a forensic audit.

That’s a deep dive that we believe is coming — and necessary.

But more on that later.

For now, we are going to look at what the auditor’s office has found so far — and there was plenty to see there.

Perhaps the biggest mess seems to be the town’s airport, a spot that has, in recent months, already attracted more than a little scrutiny from an outspoken commissioner.

There does not seem to be any kind of adherence to a contract, let alone an indication that anyone, and we mean anyone, was keeping track of where the money was going, if it was being collected in the first place, who should be paying what bills, and who was benefitting from extending a contract that wasn’t being followed.

You might call it a boondoggle — and that is putting it nicely.

No plan.

No supervision.

Some mighty interesting connections and decisions.

And now, the whole question about how much money needs to be appropriated to an airfield in little old Mount Olive is becoming a much larger question of who, what, where, when, and, most importantly, why.

The auditor’s office thought that there needed to be a whole lot more looking — and we do, too.

In fact, the report details a whole lot that needs scrutiny.

All the findings seem to center around one indisputable and disturbing fact — no one was watching over the town’s employees or making sure taxpayers’ money was collected or spent wisely.

From unchecked timecards to potentially criminal performance by water employees that cost the town, auditors say, more than $210,000 in lost revenue, there is plenty of reason for residents to be downright mad.

And as those in the know say, this is likely just “the tip of the iceberg.”

And then there are the water bills — for some officeholders and department personnel.

They went unpaid for months, long after they should have been cut off, and then, miraculously, as the auditor started to nose around, some of those same bills were marked “paid in full.”

See what we mean about what happens when no one is watching?

And there is more. Much more.

But we won’t go over it all here.

We think you should read it for yourself.

But there is no question that someone has to do something.

The auditor’s off ice said that those “someones” should be District Attorney Matthew Delbridge and Sheriff Larr y Pierce.

We agree.

But if we’re being honest, we are worried.

Here’s why:

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Frankly, after a scandal that saw two of his top lawmen plead guilty to federal charges that came about because of actions that took place under Pierce’s watch, we aren’t sure he can handle the task.

If you can’t keep your own house clean, how can you be expected to keep tabs on another?

But deep down, we think Pierce is a good man.

So, we will see if the sheriff, who is up for re-election next year by the way, can run an in-depth and significant investigation of this magnitude — and without the blind spots that have been a criticism of his tenure as sheriff thus far.

Delbridge gives us pause, too.

And as journalists who endorsed him when he first ran for D.A., it saddens us to write those words.

But we have been surprised by the stony silence that has come out of the District Attorney’s office and some decisions on what cases will and will not be prosecuted. (Think back to our coverage of Tent City and what the GPD told us about Delbridge’s refusal to prosecute the drug dealers peddling opioids from the encampment.)

Well, this is a big one — a real test of the D.A.’s resolve to seek justice for the county residents whom he serves.

We hope to see the same tenacity — a seemingly fearless determination to pursue the truth no matter what the cost — that made us so sure all those years ago that Delbridge was the right man for the job.

But the bottom line is he needs to be accountable to the voters who have put him in office and who have kept him there.

And that includes communicating with them and the press that covers this community on their behalf.

Sometimes, those who go from newcomers to incumbents worry a little too much about keeping their jobs.

Staying out of the public’s gaze is how they do it.

But we never thought that would be a problem for Delbridge.

Well, over the last two years, it has been.

In fact, we are still waiting for his comment on an SBI investigation into the Wayne County Jail that was turned over to his office more than a month ago.

So, we will wait and see which version of the D.A. we will get on this one.

And we will do so knowing that Delbridge will, if he chooses to run again, be up for reelection next year, too.

This is, indeed, a test voters need to watch closely.

The good news?

If our local sheriff and D.A. let us down,

we can call on the State Bureau of Investigation to do the job.

We hope it doesn’t come to that, but we are ready to support other state and local leaders who are ready to call for the same.

The Mount Olive report is not the first of the concerns we have addressed over the last few years, and it likely won’t be the last.

But keeping a sharp eye on those who are charged with leading this county is critical to a bright and prosperous future — and that is a job we, and many of our readers, take very seriously.

And just so we’re clear, those involved in this latest scandal need to be given the right to answer the charges, and to defend their actions, if necessary, in court.

But if the crimes and corruption that we think the auditor’s office’s report uncovered is real — and if, as officials say, this is just “the tip of the iceberg” — there need to be harsh consequences.

That could be prison time at most and resignations and firings at the least.

There is no question that anyone with any stain on his or her record should lose the privilege of serving the town of Mount Olive.

And no, not running for reelection and convincing a proxy to run in your stead shouldn’t be tolerated either.

There will be some who will be found innocent of wrongdoing — and who will put their shoulders to the wheel to clean up the mess.

Both groups deserve that chance and our respect.

That’s why we need a thorough and unbiased investigation.

Finally, as with each of these cases over the last couple of years, there are lessons to be learned — again.

Perhaps the first is to be very, very careful whom we put into public office and whom we keep there.

The second is to get involved in our communities.

We have been calling on some of Wayne County’s most distinguished and accomplished residents to put their hats in the ring for a while now — and have been very tough on those who seek the public’s vote of confidence to serve.

And we will continue to do so.

That is how we get people who care about the future of this community — and those who understand the enormity of the commitment they are making.

And we will continue to ask the questions, to follow the leads, and to shine lights in the corners with your help.

We know that corruption breeds in the darkness.

So, now, as always, we say, “Let there be light” — and plenty of it. n

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S P E C I A L R E P O RT

Tip of the

ICEBERG ?

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The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor has completed its investigation into a slice of the Mount Olive government.

And it's damning.

BY KEN FINE

A

damning report published Thursday by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor paints Mount Olive as, at best, a poorly run town marred by shoddy bookkeeping practices, financial mismanagement, negligent employees who might be guilty of embezzlement and/or fraud, more than $210,000 in lost revenue, missing invoices potential revenue that cannot be accounted for, and chaos at the town’s airport.

But officials from the NCOSA acknowledged that those issues could be simply the tip of the iceberg, as the office investigated only a handful of claims, departments, and practices.

The report also provides clarity into the early February admission, by Mayor Dr. J. Jermone Newton, that a State Bureau of Investigation probe had been launched as a result of “possible misconduct” among town employees, who were later identified by town officials as Tia Best and Rashonte Pettit, both of whom worked for the Water Department.

And it reflects the latest problem for a town board that has been bombarded, for months, by local residents about the lack of a resolution to its sewer moratorium — and criticized by State Rep. John Bell for squandering millions of dollars in allocations to get the situation under control.

“My biggest concern is, here it is, once again we’re helping Mount Olive. They have received millions upon millions of dollars to fix their issue, but it’s up to the Town Board to get it done,” Bell told Wayne Week earlier this year. “We have helped Mount Olive numerous times. It’s time for Mount Olive to fix its issues. And it’s time for everyone in the town to hold that board accountable. No more excuses. Their issues are a direct result of mismanagement. They have mismanaged millions of dollars. It’s been going on for years.”

The following is a word-for-word transcript of the NCOSA “Investigative Report.”

It has not been edited:

unt Olive Town of Mo Mount Olive,

NC

August 2025

State Auditor Dave Boliek

WHY WE CONDUCTED THIS REPORT

The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) received allegations via the State Auditor’s Tipline regarding the Town of Mount Olive (Town), the Mount Olive Water Department (Water Department), and the Mount Olive Municipal Airport (Airport). During the investigation, OSA received an additional allegation regarding a Town Hall employee who did not accurately record the hours she worked on her timesheet. During the investigation, additional items were discovered requiring to be reported that were not directly related to the objectives.

OBJECTIVES

• Determine whether the Town misdirected tourism tax revenue intended for the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.

• Determine if the Town has been paying Wi-Fi and telephone expenses for the Airport which the airport operator (Airport Operator) was responsible for paying.

• Determine if a sitting Town Commissioner received water service despite failing to pay for it.

• Determine whether employees of the Water Department committed fraud by failing to pay their water bills and voiding late charges for themselves and others.

• Determine whether an employee working at Town Hall accurately recorded the hours she worked on her timesheet.

WHAT WE FOUND

• There is no evidence the Town misappropriated tourism tax revenue from the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.

• Verification of Wi-Fi and telephone services at the airport could not be made due to the Town’s records being so severely mismanaged and in conflict with documentation from service providers.

• The Town bears the financial burden of providing fuel at the Airport, even though it is the Airport Operator who is contractually obligated to purchase and sell the fuel.

• The Town’s Airport Operator extends credit on the Town’s behalf for fuel purchases.

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Mount Olive Municipal Airport

The Mount Olive Municipal Airport (Airport) is owned by the Town and managed by a third-party operator (Airport Operator) pursuant to a contract between the Town and the Airport Operator. While the Airport can accommodate larger corporate aircraft, it cannot accommodate commercial aircraft.

Mount Olive Water Department

The Mount Olive Water Department (Water Department) is operated by the Town. This Department provides water and sewer service to both residential and commercial customers within the Town, as well as portions of Duplin and Wayne Counties.

TOURISM TAX REVENUE Allegation Unsubstantiated

Background

Town of Mount Olive Municipal Airport Continued from page 9

• The Town’s Finance Director lacks a process to verify monthly fuel commission invoices from the Airport Operator, creating a risk of overpayment.

• The Town’s Finance Director did not include all checks in the Town’s accounting system.

• A sitting Town Commissioner failed to pay his utility bill for several months, yet his water service was not disconnected.

• In 2024, hundreds of water cutoff fees were voided monthly. This includes cutoff fees for two employees of the Water Department who failed to pay their utility bills and manipulated the system so their water service was not disconnected.

• The Town’s utility rates were improperly entered into the Town’s utility system and resulted in over $210,000 in lost revenue to the Town.

• The Town lacks policies and procedures governing the authorization of timesheets for hourly employees.

RECOMMENDATIONS Town of Mount Olive Municipal Airport

1. Town officials review all Wi-Fi expenses dating back to the beginning of the Contract and recoup any amounts that should have been paid by the Airport Operator.

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2. Town officials review contracts and payments with the internet service provider to determine what their financial obligation is.

3. Town officials review all telephone expenses dating back to the beginning of the Contract and recoup any amounts that should have been paid by the Airport Operator.

4. The Town determine who authorized automatic withdrawals from one of its bank accounts for the payment of fuel.

5. The Town ensure banking activity and contracts are only conducted by authorized officials.

6. The Airport Operator immediately cease extending fuel credit on the Town’s behalf.

7. All future fuel purchases are made by the Airport Operator.

8. The Town’s Finance Director ensure that all parties receive their correct fuel sales commissions.

9. The Finance Director document the Town’s financial activity in a timely manner.

10. A clear purchase control system be established for both the Town and airport.

11. The Town’s Finance Director and Airport Operator have regular monthly meetings to review airport expenses.

12. The Airport Operator provide the Town with semi-annual reports on expenses and costs.

Town of Mount Olive Water Department

13. To reduce the risk of future fraud, OSA recommends that the Town develop and implement policies and procedures regarding voided cutoff fees and proper segregation of duties.

14. The Town should develop and implement proper controls to ensure that rate information is correctly entered in the Town’s utility system.

Employee Timesheets

15. The Town should develop and implement policies and procedures related to the review and approval of employee timesheets, including, but not limited to, who is responsible for reviewing timesheets and how their review is documented.

BACKGROUND

Town of Mount Olive, Mount Olive Municipal Airport, Mount Olive Water Department

Town of Mount Olive

The Town of Mount Olive (Town) is located in Wayne County, North Carolina, and has a population of approximately 4,200 residents.1 The Town is governed by an elected Mayor and an elected Board of Commissioners (Board) consisting of five Commissioners.

The Town Manager is appointed by the Board and is the chief administrator of the Town.

We received an allegation that the Town misdirected tourism tax revenue intended for the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.

Session Law 2015-255 authorized Wayne County (County) to levy a one- percent room occupancy tax on rental accommodations at hotels, motels, and inns within the County. Upon collecting the tax, the County remits the revenue to the Wayne County Tourism Development Authority (Authority). The Authority uses the revenue to promote tourism in the County.

According to an agreement entered between the Town and the County in August 2015, the Authority holds all revenue generated by the occupancy tax until requested for use.

Investigation Finding

Based on our review, the Town does not have direct access to the tourism tax revenue; therefore, we determined the allegation to be unsubstantiated.

TOWN OF MOUNT OLIVE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

Mismanagement of Town Records, Contract and Accounting Practices Inadequate, Purchases Improperly Authorized, Contracts Not Followed

Background

We received an allegation that the Town has been paying Wi-Fi and telephone expenses for the Airport which the airport operator (Airport Operator) was responsible for paying.

The Town entered a ten-year contract (Contract) with the Airport Operator in 2017. The Contract was updated in 2021 and again signed by the Airport Operator.

According to the Contract, the Airport

Operator is an independent contractor and is solely responsible for the management and operation of the Airport. During calendar year 2024, the Town paid the Airport Operator $38,523 for the management and operation of the airport.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Our review sought to determine if the Town had been paying expenses for the Airport which the Airport Operator was responsible for paying pursuant to the Contract.

We found that Town records were unverifiable; contract and accounting practices for Wi-Fi, telephone, and fuel were inadequate; fuel purchases were improperly authorized by someone outside the Town; and both the Town and Airport Operator failed to follow their Contract. All of this puts the Town at a greater risk of fraud and/or embezzlement and leads to difficulty tracking financial activity.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: WI-FI AND TELEPHONE SERVICES

The Contract states clearly that the Airport Operator is responsible for providing telephone and Wi-Fi services at the Airport, but even though the Airport Operator signed the Contract twice, he still claimed to be unaware of his obligation to pay the Airport’s telephone and Wi-Fi expenses.

We attempted to review all telephone and Wi-Fi expenses related to the Airport for the period January through December 2024 to determine whether the Airport Operator was paying for Wi-Fi and telephone; however, the records maintained by the Town were unverifiable.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi service was billed to the Town — not the Airport Operator — between 2017-2024.

To determine whether the Town was being properly reimbursed by the Airport Operator for this service, OSA examined records from the service provider. During the period January to September 2024, the Town received $300 monthly payments for Wi-Fi reimbursement from the Airport Operator;2 however, the Town’s Finance Director informed us that the Town had not paid the monthly Wi-Fi bill due to a dispute with the internet service provider, except for a $10,000 lump sum payment in September 2024. According to records provided by the internet service provider, this payment was not credited to the Town’s account.

Overall, OSA was unable to determine what amount the Airport Operator was financially obligated to pay monthly due to conflicting billing statements as well as multiple contracts existing between the Town and the service provider.

Telephone

Telephone service was billed to the Town – not the Airport Operator – between 2017-2024.

The Town’s Finance Director was unable to explain telephone charges on the billing statements in the possession of the Town. OSA spoke with the Airport Operator regarding the telephone charges, and he confirmed the phone bills were in Town’s name. The Airport Operator told OSA that he did not believe he should pay for monthly phone service at the Airport and had only gotten service in his name following questions he received from the Town’s Board.

Records from the telephone provider

for calendar year 2024 show seven different phone numbers listed on billing statements. Only two of the phone numbers were attributable to the Airport. OSA was unable to determine what entity the other five belonged to. Further, the billing statements indicate internet service was provided by the telephone provider to two separate internet addresses, one to the Town’s wastewater facility, and the other to the Airport Operator.

Because of monthly fluctuations in billing amounts shown on the statements; billing statements for several months including past due balances and late charges and

fees; and account adjustments and credits without explanation, OSA was unable to determine what amount was due monthly for telephone service at the Airport.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: AVIATION FUEL

While investigating Wi-Fi and telephone services, OSA came across items of attention related to aviation fuel purchases. The Contract indicates that the Airport Operator is responsible for the purchase and sale of all aviation fuel and is to receive a commission Continued on page 12 newoldnorth.com

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Continued from page 11

for fuel sold at the Airport. The commission amount was to be mutually agreed upon, but prior to the investigation no formal documentation existed specifying the amount he was to receive.

After OSA began its investigation, the Town and the Airport Operator signed an addendum to the Contract which stated that they had a previous verbal agreement that the Airport Operator would be paid 30% of the profits generated from the sale of fuel while the Town would retain the remaining 70% of the profits.

According to the Airport Operator, he orders the fuel and the Town’s Airport fuel bank account is debited for the purchase (OSA confirmed that fuel purchases were debited from a Town bank account). As per the Contract, however, it is the responsi12

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bility of the Airport Operator — not the Town — to purchase the fuel. Moreover, it was the Airport Operator — not representatives from the Town – who signed the contract with the fuel provider. It is unclear why and how a Town bank account is being debited for fuel purchases related to a contract that the Town is not party to.

Regarding fuel purchases by customers, the Airport Operator told OSA he only accepts credit cards. If customers do not pay via credit card, they can still obtain fuel without making a payment that day. Customers are invoiced for payment at a later date. For those customers invoiced, the Airport Operator emails the Town Clerk not the Finance Director – monthly to inform her whom and how much to invoice.

These invoices are not entered into the Town’s accounting system and therefore

are not properly accounted for. This puts the Town at risk of losing money due to late or uncollectable payments.

Finally, OSA learned the Airport Operator invoices the Town monthly for his fuel sales commission and includes supporting documentation. While meeting with the Town’s Finance Director, it became apparent to OSA that she did not fully understand the supporting documentation and did not have a process to confirm the invoiced amount was accurate.

To determine whether the Airport Operator was invoicing the Town the 30% fuel sales commission, we reviewed all fuel sales during calendar year 2024. We found the Town paid the Airport Operator 31% commission. OSA is reasonably assured that the 1% difference occurred due to timing differences in accounting reconciliation — not any fault of the Airport Operator.

As per the Contract, it is the responsibility of the Airport Operator to purchase and sell fuel. The Airport Operator should purchase and sell the fuel and then remit 70% of the fuel profit to the Town.

ADDITIONAL FINDING:

While reviewing the fuel sales commission paid to the Airport Operator during calendar year 2024, OSA found that the Town’s Finance Director did not enter all of the fuel sales commission checks in the Town’s accounting system. Specifically, as of December 31, 2024, the Finance Director had only recorded three of the ten checks paid to the Airport Operator in calendar year 2024.

The Finance Director’s failure to record checks in the Town’s accounting system put the Town at risk of fraud and/or embezzlement. Incomplete financial records make it difficult to reconcile transactions and potentially allow financial irregularities to go unnoticed.

As a result, Town officials do not have all financial information available to them to make important decisions on behalf of the Town.

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING:

1. Town officials review all Wi-Fi expenses dating back to the beginning of the Contract and recoup any amounts that should have been paid by the Airport Operator.

2. Town officials review contracts and payments with the internet service provider to determine what their financial obligation is.

3. Town officials review all telephone expenses dating back to the beginning of the Contract and recoup any amounts that should have been paid by the Airport Operator.

4. The Town determine who authorized automatic withdrawals from one of its bank accounts for the payment of fuel.

5. The Town ensure banking activity and contracts are only conducted by authorized officials.

6. The Airport Operator immediately cease extending fuel credit on the Town’s behalf.

7. All future fuel purchases are made by the Airport Operator.

8. The Town’s Finance Director ensure that all parties receive their correct fuel sales commissions.

9. The Finance Director document the Town’s financial activity in a timely manner.

10. A clear purchase control system be established for both the Town and airport.

11. The Town’s Finance Director and Airport Operator have regular monthly meetings to review airport expenses.

12. The Airport Operator provide the Town with semi-annual reports on expenses and costs.

Continued on page 14

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Continued from page 12

TOWN OF MOUNT OLIVE WATER DEPARTMENT

Fraudulent Activity, Water Rates Negligently Entered, Town Lost $210,837 in Revenue

Background

We received an allegation that a sitting Town Commissioner received water service despite failing to pay for it, and that employees of the Town’s Water Department committed fraud by failing to pay their water bills and voiding late charges for themselves and others.

According to the Town’s utility ordinance, if a customer fails to pay their monthly utility bill, a $100 cutoff fee will be added to their utilities account and their water service will be disconnected. Each month, the Town’s utility system generates 14

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a report listing customers who have failed to pay their utility bill. The Town’s Water Department reviews this report and can manually void the $100 cutoff fee. Doing so keeps customers off the cutoff list and continues their water service.

We found that the Town lacked formal policies and procedures for utility billing; data entry was performed negligently; and oversight during the implementation of utility rate increases was inadequate. These deficiencies increase the risk of billing errors, reduce accountability, and hinder the Town’s ability to ensure accurate utility revenue tracking.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: NON-PAYMENT OF BILLS AND VOIDED LATE FEES

OSA reviewed the Mayor’s and current Town Commissioners’ utility payment history for calendar year 2024. This investigation revealed that one Commissioner had his $100 cutoff fee voided nine times throughout the year. Further, the Commissioner did not make a single payment on his utility bill until August 2024 – when OSA received the allegation – at which point his outstanding balance was $942.

The below chart (Editor's Note: the chart is on Page 12) shows the account balance increase throughout 2024 until the allegation was received in August 2024. At that point, the Commissioner paid the utility bill in full. After August 2024, the Commissioner’s payment history remained inconsistent through March 2025.

During our investigation, we found the same Commissioner had another utility account for a different address which was closed in January 2024; however, the account had an unpaid balance of $342 as of March 2025.

While reviewing this allegation, OSA discovered that each month the Town’s Water Department voided hundreds of cutoff fees.

The chart illustrates that in 2024, the Water Department Supervisor (Supervisor) voided 1,838 (86%) cutoff fees and charged only 291 (14%) cutoff fees. There was no documented reason for the voided fees listed in the Town’s utility system.

Fraudulent Activity

During calendar year 2024, the Supervisor fraudulently voided cutoff fees for her own utility account in 11 of 12 months. Additionally, she voided cutoff fees for the

Households that had their water cutoff fees voided

Town’s Water Department billing clerk (Billing Clerk) in 9 of 12 months. As a result of the voided cutoff fees, both individuals continued to receive water service despite not paying their utility bills.

As illustrated in the below chart (Editor's Note: See Page 14 for the Chart), the Supervisor did not make a payment on her utilities account until August 2024, when she paid $100, despite her account balance exceeding $1,000. By the end of 2024, her balance had increased to $1,381. As the debt accumulated, the Supervisor’s water service continued, and she was never charged the $100 cutoff fee. The Town suspended the Supervisor in January 2025 and terminated her in March 2025. She paid her utility bill in full in February 2025.

Regarding the Billing Clerk, the chart below (Editor's Note: See Page 14 for the Chart) illustrates while some payments were made on her utility account, she also accumulated debt throughout the year.

Similar to the Supervisor, her $100 cutoff fees were voided while she continued to receive water services.

By December 2024, her balance had grown to $920. The Town suspended the Billing Clerk in January 2025 and terminated her in March 2025. She paid her utility bill in full in February 2025.

After this discovery, OSA investigated additional Town employees, including the Interim Town Manager, the former Town Manager, the Finance Director, the Town Clerk, and other Water Department employees. We determined that none of these individuals had utility cutoff fees voided during calendar year 2024.

The below map (Editor's Note: The map is on the left.) shows households that had their $100 cutoff fee voided from April 15, 2024 through May 15, 2024.

The voided cutoff fee issue occurred because of the intentional actions of the Supervisor and a lack of policies and procedures related to utility billing.

Based on OSA’s review, the allegation is substantiated.

INVESTIGATION REGARDING: WATER AND SEWER RATES

While reviewing the allegation regarding voided water cutoff fees, OSA found that due to negligent data entry and lack of oversight, the Town grossly undercharged customers for water and sewer usage and lost revenue.

This negligence and lack of oversight continued in March 2025, when an attempt to correct the data entry errors resulted in some customers being grossly overcharged.

In October 2023, the Town’s Board increased utility rates which included increases to water and sewer rates for residential and commercial accounts.

While some rates were entered correctly, several were not.

Commercial Water Rates

Both the minimum and maximum water charge was set at the same rate, meaning that commercial accounts were billed the minimum base charge amount regardless of their actual water usage.

For commercial accounts inside city limits, customers were not charged more than $16.40 a month for water usage, regardless of how much water they used.

For commercial accounts outside city limits, customers were not charged more than $32.78 a month for water usage, regardless of how much water they used.

In August 2024, the Town’s Board approved another increase to utility rates, which again included increases to water rates for commercial accounts.

For this increase, both the minimum and maximum water charges were negligently entered, as follows: • For commercial accounts inside city limits, customers were not charged more than $16.89 a month for water usage, regardless of how much water they used.

• For commercial accounts outside city limits, customers were not charged more than $33.76 a month for water usage, regardless of how much water they used.

For example: Business A paid an average of $1,211 for water service from July to September 2023, but from July to September 2024, it paid an average of $17 for water service – a difference of $1,194 per month.

Continued on page 16 newoldnorth.com

. Wayne WEEK . 15

BREAKING NEWS: FINANCE DIRECTOR SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY Just before press time, two Mount Olive leaders who asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of discussing a personnel situation confirmed Finance Director Jamie Butler has been suspended is expected to be terminated this week, as Town Hall reels from the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor's scathing investigation report.

The source noted that should Butler, indeed, be fired, the move could — coupled with two former Water Department employees no longer working for the town as a result of the State Bureau of Investigation launching a probe into the Water Department —pacify what leaders expect to be an outraged public.

For continuing coverage of the fallout from the report, see the Aug. 17 edition of Wayne Week.

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Additional Utility Issues

A review of all the Town’s utility rates effective August 2024 identified that as of May 2025, there were a total of five usage rates (including the two commercial water rates in the previous section) and one base rate that were incorrect in the Town’s utility billing system. OSA also identified two sewer usage rate codes that were incorrectly entered from the rate increase in October 2023.

OSA calculated the amount that these accounts should have been charged for water and sewer service based on actual usage from October 2023 to February 2025.

For the period October 2023 through February 2025, the Town lost total revenue of $210,837 due to the negligent data entries.

In March 2025, the Town corrected the base rate in the system for commercial account codes A and B referenced above; however, they entered incorrect usage rates resulting in the previously mentioned commercial customers being grossly overcharged for their water usage.

For example: Business A (the same business above) paid an average of $17 for water service from July to September 2024, but in March 2025 they were billed $3,243 for water service.

This situation occurred due to negligent data entry and continued inadequate oversight during the implementation of the rate increases in the Town’s utility system.

FINDING

Proper oversight likely would have identified that the minimum and maximum water charge rates were set to the same amount and that the rates were input incorrectly into the Town’s billing system.

Based on a lack of policies and procedures governing hourly employee timesheets, OSA was unable to substantiate this allegation.

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING:

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING:

13. To reduce the risk of future fraud, the Town develop and implement policies and procedures regarding voided cutoff fees and proper segregation of duties.

14. The Town should develop and implement proper controls to ensure that rate information is correctly entered in the Town’s utility system.

15. The Town should develop and implement policies and procedures related to the review and approval of employee timesheets, including, but not limited to, who is responsible for reviewing timesheets and how their review is documented.

EMPLOYEE TIMESHEETS Allegation Unsubstantiated

MOUNT OLIVE'S RESPONSE

Background

WI-FI AND TELEPHONE SERVICES

We received an allegation that an employee working at Town Hall inaccurately recorded the hours she worked on her timesheet.

OSA met with the Mayor and the Town Manager to understand the timesheet process. They explained that the Town lacks policies and procedures governing the authorization of timesheets for hourly employees and that supervisors do not consistently sign timesheets for hourly employees.

Town’s Response: The Town will review Wi-Fi and telephone invoices from the inception of the current contract with the Airport Operator and attempt to recoup any amounts that should have been the responsibility of the Airport Operator. The Town will also review their account history with the Wi-Fi provider to ensure proper credit was given for the $10,000 in payments made by the Town. A new contract is being drafted between the Town and the Airport Operator so that both parties are aware of their

responsibilities regarding invoices for airport services going forward. The Town has already discontinued Wi-Fi service at the airport. Telephone lines have been reviewed and identified, and all unverified telephone services have been terminated. The Finance Officer will review and approve invoices for Wi­Fi and telephone services to ensure that no services that are not the responsibility of the Town are paid for with Town funds.

Responsible Party: Finance Officer, Town Manager Projected Completion Date: December 30, 2025

AVIATION FUEL

Town’s Response: The Town will contact the fuel vendor to try to determine who authorized the drafts on the Town’s bank account and ensure that future purchases are made and paid by the parties as determined in the contract. A new contract is being drafted between the Town and the Airport Operator so that both parties are clear on their obligations for fuel purchases, commission payment amounts and other responsibilities for the airport fuel service.

A monthly reconciliation for fuel commissions will be prepared and signed off on by both the Town and the Airport Operator.

Continued on page 18 newoldnorth.com

. Wayne WEEK . 17

Continued from page 17

Once the new contract has been signed the responsibility of preparation of the reconciliation will be determined and assigned to the party that purchases the fuel and will be sent monthly to the other party. The Town’s Finance Officer will ultimately sign all reconciliations monthly and verify that fuel commissions are paid properly to the receiving party. Reconciliations will be forwarded to the Town Manager.

The Finance Officer and the Airport Operator will have monthly meetings to discuss the revenue and expenditures for the airport.

Those meetings will include the Town Manager for the first several months to make sure everyone has a clear understanding of their responsibilities regarding airport activities.

The Town will ask the Airport Operator for

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semiannual reports at December 31st and June 30th showing revenue, expenditures, inventory status and commissions.

The Finance Officer will make sure bank reconciliations are made within 30 days of month end to ensure all transactions have been entered into the accounting system timely.

The Town has discontinued paying for fuel while the new contract is being drafted.

The Airport Operator will be responsible for purchases of aviation fuel going forward unless the new contract specifies otherwise.

Responsible Party: Finance Officer, Town Manager Projected Completion Date: January 30, 2026

TOWN OF MOUNT OLIVE WATER DEPARTMENT

Town’s Response: The Town has reviewed the account in question, the rate schedule and the voided disconnect fees and agrees with the OSA findings.

In the future when rates are adjusted the new rate tables will be forwarded to the software vendor by the Finance Officer prior to the effective date of the increase.

Rates will be updated by the software vendor and then printed, verified and signed off on by the Finance Officer. A copy will be forwarded to the Town Manager. There will be no access to rate tables by Water Billing Employees.

The Water Billing Supervisor will generate monthly batches for the application of late fees and disconnect fees. Batches are created by the Logics system based on predetermined settings for the application of late fees. Those fees are then batched to be reviewed for any fees that need to be voided before posting to customer accounts. Only the Water Billing Supervisor will be allowed to void fees and only when a written explanation for the voiding of a fee is provided. A list of voided fees and explanations will be forwarded to the Finance Officer for review and approval monthly.

The Finance Officer will review the original batch in Logics to verify only the fees with an explanation have been voided. If a Town employee, sitting Town Commissioner or vendor has a fee voided the Finance Officer will forward the information to the Town Manager for additional approval.

A recommendation will be presented to the Town Board to pursue the collection of outstanding balance of all inactive accounts, including the accounts referenced in the Audit Report. It is also recommended that voided fees including disconnect fees and late fees be collected on the accounts referenced in the Audit Report as well as all other accounts that can be justified.

The Finance Officer will create a spreadsheet of water billing codes and will track the monthly totals for those codes to look for month-to-month variances. The Finance Officer will also update the water billing policies and include the above processes. She will present an updated draft policy to the Council for review and approval.

Recently the Town has hired a new employee in the water department that has experience in municipal government utility billing and billing through Logics.

North Carolina Rural Water Authority is in the process of conducting a rate study for the Town to determine if water and sewer rates are sufficient. The findings of that report will be shared with the Town

Council to be used in determining any future increases.

Responsible Party: Finance Officer, Town Manager Projected Completion Date: January 30, 2026

EMPLOYEE TIMESHEETS

Town’s Response: Time sheets are being updated so that they will be uniform. Department heads will be required to sign time sheets of the department employees.

Time sheets will be reviewed by the Payroll Clerk. The Town Manager will review the timesheets at the request of the payroll clerk. Policies will be put in place to control overtime, comp time, and call back.

The town has purchased HR software and will work to put a program in place to better manage employee timesheets and records.

Responsible Party: Finance Officer, Town Manager, Department Heads, Payroll Clerk Projected Completion Date: December 30, 2025 As of press time, it remains unclear what next steps — if any — will be taken, but Bell is calling for a town-wide forensic audit.

And state officials confirmed to Wayne Week that they are turning over their findings to Wayne County District Attorney Matthew Delbridge, the man who will make the decision regarding whether to convene a grand jury in pursuit of potential fraud or embezzlement charges. n Note: This is a developing story.

Additonal coverage of Mount Olive will be provided in the August 17 edition of Wayne Week, as more information — both on the contents of this report and the fallout from it and other significant issues — has come to light in recent hours that requires more reporting before it can be published.

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M A RCH 3, 2024

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If the Goldsboro City Council adopts the 2024-25 budget recommended by Interim City Manager Matthew Livington, local residents will be forced to absorb a 15-cent property tax increase and a 7-percent water and sewer rate hike, as leaders look for a way to finance police and fire raises.

WEEK

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WEEK

MIND GA M ES

?

A unanimous decision to move Goldsboro High School to a new building has drawn the ire of community leaders, former students, and teachers who fear the school will soon close for good.

SPECIES? ENDANGERED

Dozens have graduated from the University of Mount Olive’s Master's in Counseling Psychology program, but because it is still not accredited, most are unable to find employment as therapists in North Carolina.

BY KEN FINE p. 1 4

Budget Buffet

BY KEN FINE

/ p. 14

BY K E N F I N E / p. 12

NEWS: Court documents filed last week seem to indicate former WCSO deputy has reached a plea deal . p.6

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F E BU R A RY 18, 2024

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ALSO INSIDE

Wayne

Coram’s lawsuit thrown out / p. 4

WEEK

NEWS Salmon out as City Manager / p. 8

CLIPPED WING?

If you have been with Wayne Week since the beginning — or signed up within our first few weeks — you are nearing the end of your 1-year subscription period.

Wayne

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Some of the information in our cover story could be perceived as graphic in nature and could be upsetting to some readers, including those who might have experienced abuse or sexual assault.

WEEK

Local leaders say it’s time to fight back after community was “blindsided” by news of cuts coming to 4th Fighter Wing. / by KEN FINE p. 16

DIGITAL

M AY 12, 2024

THE PROBLEM WITHIN

Two Wayne County public school teachers have been charged with taking indecent liberties with students since Gov. Roy Cooper signed a harsher set of penalties for the crime into law in late 2023.

But those two individuals are only part of a problem the local education community has been dealing with for the last several years.

BY KEN FINE p.12

New Old North Media 219 North John Street Goldsboro, NC 27530

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. Wayne WEEK . 19

NO T ICE S NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons, firms and corporations havingclaims against the Estate of David Arthur Radford, deceased, of Wayne County, N.C., are notified to present the same to the personal representative listed below on or before October 20, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All debtors of the said estate are asked to make immediate payment.

This 20th day of July, 2025.

Cynthia M. Novajosky, Executor of the Estate of David Arthur Radford, deceased, C/O Pat Leigh Pittman, attorney for Dunn, Pittman, Skinner & Ashton, PLLC P. O. Drawer 1389 New Bern, NC 28563 Published July 20, 2025, July 27, 2025, August 3, 2025, and August 10, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF DOROTHY SMITH EASON

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Dorothy Smith Eason, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 20th day of October, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 20th day of July, 2025.

Wanda E. Lane, Executor of the Estate of Dorothy Smith Eason 2885 N.C. Hwy 111 South Seven Springs, NC 28578 Published July 20, 2025, July 27, 2025, August 3, 2025, and August 10, 2025

WAYNE COUNTY CITIZENS — NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Wayne County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing Tuesday, August 19, 2025 to consider a proposed amendment to the Wayne County Mobile Home Park Ordinance. The hearing will be held at 9:30 am in the Wayne County Commissioners Meeting Room, Wayne County Courthouse Annex, 224 East Walnut Street, Goldsboro, NC. The item to be discussed: A-25-01 – Amend Section 4290 of the Wayne County Mobile Home Park Ordinance to apply mobile home park standards to RV parks.

The public is invited to attend and speak at this hearing and/or submit any comments. Written comments before the meeting may be submitted to the Wayne County Planning Department, PO Box 227, Goldsboro, NC 27533 or berry.gray@waynegov. com. A full copy of the amendment may be obtained from the Planning Department by calling 919-731-1650.

Carol Bowden Clerk to the Board August 3, 2025, and August 10, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF DOLORES KAYE RADFORD

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Dolores Kaye Radford, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 27th day of October, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 27th day of July, 2025.

Brooke Hales and Karla Thompson, Executors of the Estate of Dolores Kaye Radford 144 Oxford Drive Goldsboro, NC 27534 Published July 27, 2025, August 3, 2025, and August 10, 2025, and August 17, 2025

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF EDITH SUE AYCOCK

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Edith Sue Aycock, late of Wayne County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the address below on or before October 27, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate are asked to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This is the 18th day of July, 2025.

Rebecca Aycock Davies, Executor of the Estate of Edith Sue Aycock c/o L.E. (Trey) Taylor III, Attorney at Law Warren, Kerr, Walston, Taylor & Smith, L.L.P. P.O. Box 1616, Goldsboro, NC 27533-1616 (919) 734-1841 Published July 27, 2025, August 3, 2025, August 10, 2025, and August 17, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF LEONIDAS GRANTHAM ROLLINS

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Leonidas Grantham Rollins, late of Wayne County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the address below on or before October 27, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate are asked to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This is the 17th day of July, 2025.

Benjamin E, Rollins, Jr., Executorof the Estate of Leonidas Grantham Rollins c/o L. E. (Trey) Taylor III, Attorney at LawWarren, Kerr, Walston, Taylor & Smith, L.L.P. P. O. Box 1616, Goldsboro, NC 27533-1616 Published July 27, 2025, August 3, 2025, and August 10, 2025, and August 17, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ROBERT L. CORE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF PETER S. KASCSAK

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION ESTATE OF BRYAN CADETTE PAGE — FILE NO. 25E001719-950

All persons, firms, and corpo- All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against rations having claims against Robert L. Core, deceased of Peter S. Kascsak, deceased, Wayne County, are notified of Wayne County, are notified All persons, firms, and corpoto exhibit them to the under- to exhibit them to the under- rations having claims against signed on or before the 27th signed on or before the 3rd Bryan Cadette Page, deceased day of October, 2025, or this day of November, 2025, or this of Wayne County, are notified notice will be pleaded in bar of notice will be pleaded in bar of to exhibit them to the undertheir recovery. All persons in- their recovery. All persons in- signed on or before the 3rd debted to the estate will please debted to the estate will please day of November, 2025, or this make immediate payment to make immediate payment to notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons inthe undersigned. the undersigned. debted to the estate will please This 27th day of July, 2025.

This 3rd day of August, 2025. make immediate payment to

Mark J. Hale, Jr., Peter S. Kascsak, Jr., the undersigned.

Administrator CTA of the Executor of the Estate This 3rd day of August, 2025.

Estate of Robert L. Core of Peter S. Kascsak Christina Page, Administrator Baddour, Parker, c/o Mark J. Hale, Jr. c/o Whitaker & Hamer, PLLC Hine & Hale, P.C. Baddour, Parker, 121 E. Main Street Attorneys for Estate Hine & Hale, P.C. Clayton, NC 27520 P.O. Box 916 Attorneys for Estate Published August 3, 2025, Goldsboro, NC 27533-0916 P.O. Box 916 August 10, 2025, August 17, (919) 735-7275 Goldsboro, NC 27533-0916 2025, and August 24, 2025 Published July 27, 2025, (919) 735-7275 August 3, 2025, August 10, 2025, and August 17, 2025 Published August 3, 2025, August 10, 2025, NOTICE TO CREDITORS August 17, 2025, NORTH CAROLINA and August 24, 2025 NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION WAYNE COUNTY All persons, firms, and corpoTHE UNDERSIGNED, Edward rations having claims against Luis Hester, having duly qualNOTICE TO CREDITORS Linda Sutton, A.K.A. Lynda Lou ified as Administrator of the Sutton, deceased of Wayne AND DEBTORS Estate of Peggy Waters HesCounty, are notified to exhibOF JOHN ANDREW DREW ter, deceased, late of Wayne it them to the undersigned on Having qualified as Co-Admin- County, North Carolina, this is or before the 27th day of Oc- istrators of the Estate of John to notify all persons, firms and tober, 2025, or this notice will Andrew Drew, late of Wayne corporations having claims be pleaded in bar of their re- County, North Carolina, the against said Estate to present covery. All persons indebted undersigned do hereby notify them to Edward Luis Hester, to the estate will please make all persons, firms and corpora- Administrator at 107 South immediate payment to the tions having claims against the Breazeale Avenue, Mount Olive, undersigned. estate of said decedent to ex- NC 28365 on or before the 10th This 27th day of July, 2025. hibit them to the undersigned day of November, 2025, said

at the address below on or be- date being three (3) months Shanetta Sutton and fore November 3, 2025, or this from the date of first publicaLashonda Sutton, notice will be pleaded in bar tion hereof, or this notice will be Co-Administrators of the of their recovery. All persons, pleaded in bar to their recovery.

Estate of Linda Sutton firms and corporations indebt- All persons indebted to said 222 Dollard Town Road ed to the said estate are asked Estate, please make immediate Goldsboro, NC to make immediate payment to payment to the undersigned.

27534 the undersigned.

DATED: August 10, 2025.

Published July 27, 2025, This the 30th day of July, 2025.

August 3, 2025, August 10, 2025, EDWARD LUIS HESTER and August 17, 2025 Jennifer Davis ADMINISTRATOR and Richard Tyler Drew, ESTATE OF PEGGY WATERS Co-Administratorsof the HESTER W. CARROLL TURNER Estate of John Andrew Drew ATTORNEY FOR THE ESTATE c/o L. E. (Trey) Taylor III, POST OFFICE BOX 547 Attorney at Law MOUNT OLIVE, NC 28365 Warren, Kerr, Walston, Published August 10, 2025, Taylor & Smith, L.L.P. August 17, 2025, August 24, P. O. Box 1616, Goldsboro, NC 2025, and August 31, 2025 27533-1616 Published August 3, 2025, August 10, 2025, August 17, 2025, and August 24, 2025

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons, firms, and corpoAND DEBTORS rations having claims against OF JANET HOLLOWELL Rosetta High Coley, deceased WHITFIELD of Wayne County, are notified Having qualified as Executor to exhibit them to the underof the Estate of Janet Hollowell signed on or before the 10th Whitfield, late of Wayne Counday of November, 2025, or this ty, North Carolina, the undernotice will be pleaded in bar of signed does hereby notify all their recovery. All persons inpersons, firms and corporadebted to the estate will please tions having claims against the make immediate payment to estate of said decedent to exthe undersigned. hibit them to the undersigned This 10th day of August, 2025. at the address below on or be fore November 10, 2025, or this Kenneth Coley notice will be pleaded in bar and Lori Brantley, of their recovery. All persons, Co-Administrators of the firms and corporations indebtEstate of Rosetta ed to the said estate are asked High Coley to make immediate payment to 216 Marlin Lane the undersigned.

Pikeville, NC 27863 This the 4th day of August, 2025.

Published August 10, 2025, August 17, 2025, August 24, Thomas Hollowell Hooks, 2025, and August 31, 2025 Executorof the Estate of Janet Hollowell Whitfield c/o L. E. (Trey) Taylor III, NOTICE OF SALE Attorney at Law OF PERSONAL PROPERTY Warren, Kerr, Walston, NORTH CAROLINA Taylor & Smith, L.L.P. WAYNE COUNTY P. O. Box 1616, Goldsboro, NC 27533-1616 PURSUANT to North Carolina Published August 10, 2025, General Statutes Sec. 160AAugust 17, 2025, 269, the Board of CommissionAugust 24, 2025, ers of the Town of Mount Olive and August 31, 2025 has received the following offer for the sale of personal property listed below: ITEM: 2024 Freightliner M2 106 Medium Duty Grapple Truck

INVITATION TO BID FLOW METER INSTALLATION PROJECT

OFFER: $164,000.00

FOR THE CITY OF GOLDSBORO, NC

TAKE NOTICE that anyone may raise said bid or offer within ten (10) days by not less than ten (10) percent of the first one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) and five (5) percent of the remainder by depositing with the City Clerk or Town Attorney of the Town of Mount Olive five (5) percent of the increased bid.

This procedure will be repeated until no further qualifying upset bids are received, at which time the Board of Commissioners may accept the offer and sell the property to the highest bidder. The Board of Commissioners reserve the right to reject any and all offers. Deadline for raised bid is Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM. This is the 9th day of August, 2025.

Sealed bids will be received by the City of Goldsboro until 2:00 PM on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, for the FLOW METER INSTALLATION PROJECT at which time the Bids received will be publicly opened and read.

The work shall consist principally of Installation of Transit Time Flow Meters for the Seymour Johnson AFB, Fork Township areas and two Flow Meters at the City Water Treatment Plant.

Bidders shall submit two (2) sealed envelopes containing the following: Envelope #1Bid Security Documentation, a copy of the Bidder’s current General Contractor’s License and addendums #1 and #2; Envelope #2 - the bidder’s proposal. Both envelopes shall be clearly marked with the bidder’s Name, Address, General Contractor’s License Number, To: City Procurement Manager, and BID# FB 2025-003R, PROPOSAL FOR FLOW METER

SHERRY DAVIS CITY CLERK W. CARROLL TURNER CITY ATTORNEY Published August 10, 2025

INSTALLATION PROJECT. All proposals must be made on the blank forms provided for that purpose. and may be delivered by parcel service, presented in person to the City Hall Addition at 200 North Center Street, Goldsboro, North Carolina, 27530 or by U.S. Mail Service to Post Office Drawer A, Goldsboro, NC 27533-9701. It is fully the Bidders’ responsibility to ensure their package arrives before the bid deadline.

Each proposal shall be accompanied by a certified check, drawn on a bank or trust company authorized to do business in North Carolina, payable to the City of Goldsboro, in an amount equal to not less than five percent (5%) of the total amount of the proposal. In lieu of making the deposit as above provided, such bidder may file a bid bond executed by a corporate surety licensed under the laws of North Carolina to execute such bonds, conditioned that the surety will upon demand forthwith make payment to the obligee upon said bond if the bidder fails to execute the contract in accordance with the bid bond.

This deposit shall be retained if the successful bidder fails to execute the contract within 10 days after the award or fails to give satisfactory surety as required herein.

Contractors are notified that Legislative Acts relating to licensing of contractors will be observed in receiving bids and awarding the contract.

Plans and specifications are on file and may be examined in the office of the City Engineer, Goldsboro, North Carolina; and may be downloaded in Adobe PDF format at the City of Goldsboro website: www. goldsboronc.gov under the Bid Listings link.

The right is reserved to reject any or all bids, to add or delete work, to waive informalities, and to award a contract which, in the opinion of the City, appears to be in its best interest.

The right is reserved to hold any or all proposals for a period of sixty (60) days from the opening thereof.

BID: FB 2025-002R 30136-017 WTP INTAKE MAINTENANCE DREDGING ADDENDUM #1 Friday, August 8, 2025 To All Vendors: This addendum becomes a part of the bid package and supersedes previous requirements contained in the original specifications.

PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THIS ADDENDUM BY SIGNING BELOW AND ATTACHING THIS PAGE TO THE BID SCHEDULES. SIGNED THIS DAY OF ________ , 2025 COMPANY NAME __________ _________________________ PHONE NUMBER __________ _______________________ AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE _________________________ CHANGES TO THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR PROJECT REBID: Article 10 - Bid Security Replace paragraph 10.01 with the following: 10.01 Bids shall be accompanied by either a Bid Bond issued by a bonding company authorized to do business in the State of North Carolina, or by a certified check, or cashier’s check equal to 5% of the bid amount, satisfactory to the Owner. The required Bid Bond(s), certified checks, or cashier’s checks shall be made payable to Owner. The above items shall be in accordance with N.C. General Statute §143-129 (b).

WAYNE COUNTY CITIZENS — NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Wayne County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, to consider a proposed amendment to Chapter 6, Article II of the Wayne County Code of Ordinances entitled Agricultural Districts. The hearing will be held at 9:30 am in the Wayne County Commissioners Meeting Room, Wayne County Courthouse Annex, 224 East Walnut Street, Goldsboro, NC. The item to be discussed: Amend the Wayne County Agricultural District Ordinance to include provisions allowing for enhanced voluntary agricultural districts.

The public is invited to attend and speak at this hearing and/or submit any comments.

Written comments before the meeting may be submitted to the Wayne County Planning Department, PO Box 227, Goldsboro, NC 27533 or berry. gray@waynegov.com. A full copy of the amendment may be obtained from the Planning Department by calling 919-731-1650.

Carol Bowden Clerk to the Board Published August 3, 2025, and August 10, 2025

Timothy Wood, CLGPO Procurement Manager City of Goldsboro 200 N Center Street PO Drawer A Goldsboro, NC 27530 (919) 580-4337 twood@goldsboronc.gov Published August 10, 2025

This 9th day of August 2025.

Catherine Gwynn Finance Director Published August 10, 2025

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