Ena Sellers

After serving the University of Mount Olive community for more than four decades, the George and Annie Dale Kornegay Arena is set to undergo a significant upgrade, beginning with the replacement of its original bleachers.

“This is a major upgrade,” said Joey Higginbotham, UMO athletics director. “It gives us a safe environment with the comfort fans deserve and elevates the atmosphere for high-level Division II athletics.”

The first phase, set to begin in December, will involve replacing the arena’s original 1984 bleachers with modern stadium-style chairback seating. The bleacher replacement is expected to be completed by January 2026.

Higginbotham noted that these visual and functional upgrades will greatly influence how the University is perceived by prospective student-athletes and the broader community.

“It will be the first thing recruits see when they visit campus,” Higginbotham added. “It creates a ‘wow factor’ and positions us as having one of the top facilities in Conference Carolinas.”

The legacy of the Kornegay Arena is deeply intertwined with the University’s identity. The facility has witnessed generations of students walking across its stage, athletes rising through its ranks, and families gathering to celebrate. With this new phase of investment and modernization, the arena is being reimagined for the future.

University President H. Edward Croom expressed gratitude for the Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust No. One’s $250,000 grant, emphasizing that such partnerships help the University fulfill its commitments to current and future generations.

“This project reflects our continued commitment to enhancing the student experience and ensuring that Mount Olive remains a destination of choice for students, athletes and the broader community,” said Croom.

KENANSVILLE — Duplin County is charting a new course for how it manages tourism, following a recent decision by the Board of Commissioners to dissolve the Duplin County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and reduce the county’s Room Occupancy Tax rate.

During the special-called meeting, held on June 30, County Manager Bryan Miller presented the change as part of a broader effort to streamline county services and create a more unified management structure. The move brings tourism directly under county oversight — similar to how the Health and Human Services departments already function.

“There have been several discussions in the past about the reorganization of tourism, specifically to bring tourism under the wing of the county,” said Miller. He explained that it would be similar to how Human Services and Health Departments operate.

Miller also pointed out that the TDA had never been properly established in its original form. He described a series of past efforts by the board to clarify the structure, including referring to the body as an Advisory Board rather than a true authority and inconsistencies in how TDA employees were designated as county employees. By dissolving the current entity, Miller said the county can now “hit the reset button” and, if needed, reestablish a tourism body in the future — this time with the proper framework in place.

Timing played a crucial role. Part of the impetus for the change stemmed from a review. Miller said the administration discovered that the county had a narrow window, as outlined in General Statute 153A-155, to pass a resolution in the current fiscal year to adjust the Room Occupancy Tax rate. Missing the deadline would have delayed any action for another year.

“We’re still working through the process. We do have a long-term plan, but it’s developing as we find out more and more what was being done,” Miller told Duplin Journal during an interview on Tuesday.

The two staff members previously employed by the TDA — a director and a deputy director — are no longer with the county as a result of the dissolution.

Miller emphasized that local input remains a vital part of the transition, adding that they met with the folks who are impacted by the change. “We’re hearing what people have to say — the people that are potentially impacted. And we’re taking their thoughts and recommendations seriously, and we’re going to move forward,” said Miller.

“The tourism positions will be absorbed,” said Miller. “Those duties will be reassigned to other people that are in-house now.”

Carrie Shields, the Assistant County Manager, will continue to oversee tourism from the county’s perspective, a role she has already been fulfilling.

“As you know, the tourism and tourism employees were employees of the TDA. Now that the TDA has been dissolved, I would imagine Carrie will continue to oversee tourism from an administrative standpoint,” Miller told Duplin Journal.

Miller also indicated that the funds previously allocated to the TDA would remain dedicated to tourism.

“Every penny of that, of the occupancy tax collections, by state statute, have to remain with tourism,” he explained.

Interestingly, despite lowering the Room Occupancy Tax rate, which previously funded tourism initiatives, the county may actually come out ahead financially.

“The gross loss would be about $58,000,” said Miller, “but because of the reduction in salaries, it’ll actually be a positive, I don’t know, $100,000 swing for the county in funds that are allocated for tourism.”

KENANSVILLE — With a unanimous vote, Duplin County officially put its financial playbook in writing — establishing guidelines for how it budgets, borrows and saves for the future. The new policy, adopted last week, aims to enhance transparency, protect reserves and ensure that taxpayers understand how their money is managed.

Presented by Ty Wellford from Davenport and Company, the policy outlines long-term fiscal guidelines, including best practices for budgeting, cash management, reserve levels, and debt limits.

“I think the timing is great for you all because you’re in a tremendous financial position right now, and that’s something that we did look at in greater detail,” said Wellford. He emphasized that the policy formalizes existing management practices, providing stability during transitions or economic changes.

“It just ensures the county is operating on sound financial footing. And the decisions that are made are made with, at first, our residents in mind, but the financial position of the county as well,” Miller told Duplin Journal.

Key elements of the financial policy include prohibiting one-time revenues from funding ongoing expenses, requiring board approval for budget amendments, and mandating quarterly financial reporting.

“Budget amendments have to come in front of the board for consideration, right? You can’t just amend your budget. The county manager and finance director can’t just amend the budget when they want to. The governing body will receive financial reports at least quarterly, showing year-to-date revenues and expenditures compared to the budget, right? That’s something you’ve got a nice report on this evening,” Wellford explained.

The policy sets a minimum reserve level of 25% of annual expenditures and outlines a balanced debt management approach, with metrics ensuring debt does not exceed 2.5% of the tax base and annual debt service remains below 15% of the operating budget. It also addresses compliance with state laws and liquidity for cash and investments.

“This is just cementing some of the things that you’re already doing very well,” said Wellford.

The commissioners asked questions to clarify the flexibility of the new policies, particularly concerning fund balance thresholds and the process for making amendments. Wellford explained that while there is no rigid recovery roadmap, the policy requires that a plan be developed, ideally within a three-year window or within a time frame deemed reasonable.

He also emphasized that the policy’s flexibility allows future boards to amend it if needed.

In other business

• Commissioners addressed flooding and drainage complaints from residents, particularly in Cedar Fork Church Road and Tram Road. County Manager Bryan Miller will follow up about those issues with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

• After a public hearing, the board approved a request from Louis Costello to name a private lane DC Heights Drive in Warsaw.

• The board appointed Commissioner Jesse Dowe as Duplin County’s voting delegate for the upcoming North Carolina Association of County Commissioners conference, with Commissioner Wayne Branch serving as the alternate voting delegate.

• Miller provided an update on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Neighborhood Revitalization program, which is entering a new cycle. He encouraged the commissioners to contact Chris Hatcher in the planning department if they knew someone who was in need of their services. The CDBG program awards funds to local governments for projects that enhance housing, infrastructure and economic development, with a focus on benefiting low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The program often assists homeowners in addressing health and safety hazards.

Officials defend decisions in public statement, citing transparency and long-term goals

KENANSVILLE — In a rare and unusually candid social media post, Duplin County officials responded directly to growing public scrutiny over several recent decisions — ranging from a corporate golf membership and staffing changes to participation in regional events — saying they welcome the attention and are committed to building trust through greater transparency.

Officials said their decisions were part of a broader, long-term strategy to strengthen county services, enhance partnerships, and maintain fiscal discipline.

The county’s post comes amid mounting questions and online debate, particularly over how public dollars are being spent during a time of financial constraint. The message? ‘We hear you — and here’s the full picture.’

“We understand that on the surface, a golf membership may raise questions, and we welcome that scrutiny,” the county’s statement read. “But we view this as a targeted, strategic investment… one that opens doors, supports local institutions, and helps bring meaningful returns to Duplin County.”

County officials emphasized that these events have resulted in tangible outcomes, including hundreds of thousands in grant funding and strengthened relationships with key partners like Tri-County Electric and ECU Health Duplin.

“Tri‑County is a valuable partner that has provided $50,000 for the AirPark Master Development Plan and $30,000 for product development. These are not symbolic contributions; they are tangible investments in Duplin’s future … there was a separate tournament where County officials helped secure a $500,000 grant for local development.”

Still, officials acknowledged the optics can be tricky. “Public trust isn’t a guarantee,” the county wrote. “It’s something we must earn and maintain.”

County officials stated that they will continue to evaluate its use and impact, like they do with any other expenditure, to ensure it aligns with the county’s long-term goals and the public’s expectations.

The statement also noted that the membership “is available to all county employees.” This announcement raised questions from local residents, as golf clubs typically limit usage to a specific number of designated users.

Duplin Journal contacted the Duplin Country Club for clarification on how county employees can use the corporate membership, however, a staff member directed us back to the county administration.

Duplin Journal then reached out to County Manager Bryan Miller for further details.

“We’ve already made a statement on our Facebook page. I’m just going to point you to that,” said Miller. When asked if the county had a policy that explains eligibility or a sign-up procedure for employees who may want to take advantage of the new benefit, Miller responded that they are handling that communication internally.

“We’re addressing that with our employees,” Miller told Duplin Journal on the phone.

On the staffing front, Duplin County addressed changes within its Social Services and Health departments. Plans to privatize the Child Support Unit are expected to reduce annual costs by half without resulting in job losses, as all affected employees will have opportunities to transition within DSS. Similarly, consolidation within the Health Department aims to boost nurse compensation and retain talent.

Roles are being consolidated or privatized to save costs, with employees offered alternative positions — some with better pay. These shifts, the county said, are part of a broader effort to manage a $5 million deficit without cutting core services or raising taxes.

Duplin County emphasized that it has made strategic investments in public safety and employee compensation. Recent accomplishments include breaking ground on a $44 million detention center, opening a $3.7 million animal shelter, and completing a new Senior & Veteran Services Center — all without raising taxes.

County leaders emphasized their ongoing commitment to long-term community success, stating that every decision is made with the future of Duplin County in mind.

“We are committed to operating transparently, making informed decisions, and always keeping Duplin County’s long-term success at the center of what we do.”