VOLUME 9 ISSUE 12 | THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024
DUPLINJOURNAL.COM
Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Wallace proposes 8.5% water-sewer rate hike “Every vehicle registered in the town would be charged a $15 flat fee.” Rob Taylor, Wallace Town Manager
A public hearing on the budget is set for June 13 By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal WALLACE — Town Manager Rob Taylor gave town council members a first look at the proposed 2024-25 fiscal year budget, which includes an 8.5% increase in water and sewer rates, plus a $15 fee for vehicles registered within the town limits that would be added onto customers’ annual
DMV tag fees. Taylor presented the proposed budget to the council during the regular monthly meeting last Thursday, May 9. The public will have a chance to give feedback on the proposed budget at the next regular town council meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 13. “Overall, it is a $10.72 million budget, which is a 4.98% increase over last year,” Taylor told the council Thursday night. “A couple of revenue
changes that I’m recommending… a municipal tag fee; every vehicle registered in the town would be charged a $15 flat fee that would be added to their DMV tax bill. I’m also looking at a water/sewer rate increase of 8.5%. That does sound pretty tough, but it’s needed.” Taylor said that the increase in water/sewer rates was needed because the town has “just not been able to meet the numSee RATE HIKE, page 5
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BRIEF this week
Get your passport applications, photos at Thelma Dingus Bryant Library Duplin County Residents can now get their passport applications and take their passport photos at the Thelma Dingus Bryant Library, located at 409 W. Main Street in Downtown Wallace. For more information, call 910285-3796. DJS
Faison offering scholarships to help grandparents raising grandchildren Faison The Town of Faison is providing scholarships for kids to participate in the town’s summer programs, camps, and recreation sports. Folks over the age of 55 who are the main caregiver for their grandchildren are eligible for the program. For more information, call Matthew Scott, Faison recreation director at 910-372-0088. DJS
ECU Health Duplin Hospital encourages participation in community health survey Duplin County ECU Health Duplin Hospital is encouraging Duplin County residents to take part in the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment by filling out an online survey. “Feedback from the Community Health Needs Assessment allows us to understand what community members see as the most important health issues affecting their communities,” a Facebook post from the hospital reads. Visit ecuhealth.org to view the survey, which is available in English and Spanish. DJS
USDA takes action to ensure fair housing practices on financed rentals Statewide The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that landlords of USDA-financed rental properties will be required to issue a 30-day written notice to tenants who are facing a lease termination. The notice must include instructions on how tenants can resolve lease violations. Visit rd.usda.gov for details. DJS
ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Congratulations JSCC Class of 2024! Hundreds of joyful James Sprunt Community College students gathered along with family, friends and faculty at the Duplin Events Center to receive their diplomas on May 9. Turn to page 6 for more photos.
Wallace Duplin honors 3 local Governor’s Volunteer Service Award recipients sees two This year’s recipients were recognized during the County Commissioners regular bimonthly meeting By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — James Preston Brown Jr., Issac “Leroy” Dewitt and Donna Sessoms Grubbs were recognized
for their selfless dedication and contributions, through their volunteerism, to Duplin County at the May 6 County Commissioners meeting. The three volunteers are recipients of the 2024 Duplin Governor Volunteer Service Award. Faison Sea Scout Ship 5, while not present, was also recognized for their outstanding contributions and will be presented with the award at a future meeting.
Melisa Brown, Duplin County Senior Services director, introduced each of the three volunteers asking them to come to the front, where Chair Dexter Edwards presented them with the award and a commemorative pin. The first volunteer was Brown, also known as Jimmy, he was recognized for his serSee VOLUNTEER, page 3
School board, county commissioners talk budgets during joint meeting Duplin County Schools’ costs increase, commissioners propose no tax hike By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE — The Duplin County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education held a joint meeting on Tuesday morning, May 14, during which the discussion centered around budgets for the two local government entities. Duplin County Schools Chief Finance Officer Dawn George reported that the school system has requested a 10.66% increase in its budget this year, to $11,066,000. “What that represents is the increases to our recurring costs, which includes the
state-mandated increase in salaries of about 3%,” George explained. “Retirement will go up approximately 1% and health insurance will go up about 7%.” The DCS budget also includes a requested 20% increase in property insurance, and a 14% hike in utility costs. George shared that the general fund balance is $6.4 million, of which $5.2 million is restricted for continuing expenses related to the pandemic. “We also have about $4.7 million in our special monies and grants fund balance,” she said. “We normally don’t have a balance that large in there, but the CARES funding allowed us to charge our grant costs.” All of the CARES funding is currently allocated to projects that are already in progress and should be completed in
“Now is really an exciting time to be part of Duplin County local government.” Bryan Miller, Duplin County manager the next six months to a year, George said. The school system’s request also includes capital outlay funding. “This year, actually over the past two years, our prices for contracted services, equipment, vehicles and repair parts have escalated very quickly,” George said. “It’s escalated about an average of 50% so our request this year does include an increase of $495,000, which includes See BUDGETS, page 3
attempted murders in one week Stabbing and shooting incidents leave two men with significant injuries By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal THE TOWN of Wallace had an eventful week, with a stabbing incident on April 30, followed by a shooting on May 3. Wallace Police Chief Jimmy Crayton spoke during last Thursday’s town council meeting on May 9, giving an update on the two investigations. First, on Tuesday, April 30, a young man was stabbed in a parking lot at 212 E. Main St. A group of four individuals, who have all been arrested, attacked the 21-year-old and stole his bike. Later, he was walking down College Street and “they jumped him again and that time, they stabbed him,” Chief Crayton said. “He had some pretty significant injuries — laceration to his liver and a laceration to his kidney.” The victim remains in the See MURDERS, page 2
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