By Miles Layton
COLUMBIA — Tensions flared during Tuesday’s Tyrrell County Commission meeting as Chairman Jordan Davis and Commissioner Robert Thompson engaged in a prolonged and contentious exchange over the handling of revenue from the county’s ABC store, the movement of funds into investment accounts, and whether taxpayers, as Thompson claims, are being unfairly burdened despite millions of dollars held by the county. Davis says they’re not; everything is above board, honest, transparent and in order.
The commission also addressed zoning enforcement, housing concerns, and budget amendments, with public comment at times turning emotional and tense.
The photo shows Milton Simpson of Secota Village addressing commissioners regarding code enforcement action taken against his property at 92 Scuppernong Road.
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The dispute stemmed from a discussion at last month’s meeting about revenue generated by the county-owned ABC store. Thompson pressed Davis and county staff to clarify what the money can legally be spent on and whether funds had been moved without proper explanation.
“And y’all made mention of an email we all received,” Thompson said. “Can somebody read that email or bring it to people sitting here and people that watching what actually we can spend the revenue on?”
Davis asked whether Thompson wanted the email read in full or summarized. Thompson replied that he wanted commissioners to “basically get across to the people what y’all are saying you can spend the revenue on.”
As the discussion unfolded, Thompson questioned whether money had been transferred out of ABC accounts into an investment fund, and if so, why only a portion had been moved.
“If you’re saving up for a building fund, why would you just move $65,000 out of the account and not the whole account?” Thompson asked. “It’s more in the account than the FDIC approves anyway. So you left $352,000 over here and moved 65 to New York. That don’t make good sense.”
Davis pushed back, saying Thompson’s claims about missing money were incorrect.
“I still am not sure where you’re talking about the actual number of whatever 60-some thousand you think is missing,” Davis said.
Thompson insisted that the issue arose after the meeting, when he received an email from Davis referencing a $65,000 figure.
“I was fishing by not saying the number and then I get a hard number for 65,” Thompson said. “I never said 65.”
Davis responded, “You said around $65 thousand — we can argue all day.”
The exchange grew more heated as Thompson questioned who had the authority to move money from ABC store accounts and whether funds had been placed in the North Carolina Capital Management Trust, which he repeatedly referred to as “New York.”
“How many people on the board can move money from the liquor store?” Thompson asked. “Who has access to both accounts? Because the money is in New York.”
Davis replied that access was limited. “The only people who have access to the account is the accountant and the chairman,” he said, a statement confirmed by the county’s financial advisor, David Clegg, who is also County Manager.
Thompson demanded written confirmation that no money had been moved into the trust.
“If it ain’t in writing, y’all can say what you want,” Thompson said. “I know otherwise.”
Davis refused to provide a separate signed statement, telling Thompson that the information was already documented.
“You have a copy of the audit,” Davis said. “There is a writing in the copy of the audit that shows that they have two checking accounts.”
The argument broadened to include the county’s overall finances, including millions of dollars held in the Capital Management Trust and concerns about fund balance levels cited during the budget process.
“When I first got on the board, there was only $800,000 in the account in New York,” Thompson said. “One time it was 7.5 million, and now we’re at $5.7 million, which our Fidelity account now is paying over 9%. Where’s the interest going?”
Thompson questioned why taxes had been raised when the county held millions in investments.
“Is the money in New York belonging to the people of Tyrrell County?” Thompson asked.
“Absolutely,” Davis said.
“Then why are the people of Tyrrell County having to pay higher taxes because we ain’t got enough money in our reserve fund balance when you got $5.7 million in New York?” Thompson asked. “Is that being fair to the people of Tyrrell County?”
Davis said the issue was being misunderstood.
“The money is budgeted,” he said. “The fund balance is the fund balance, and regardless of what account it’s in, the fund balance is the fund balance. There is no reserve fund balance.”
Commissioner Everett clarified the distinction between encumbered and unencumbered funds, noting that funds already committed through the budget cannot be counted toward the fund balance.
“Money that is in the bank that is encumbered is not included in fund balance,” the commissioner said. “Fund balance is what they’ve been upset about because we didn’t have enough.”
Thompson remained unconvinced, citing an insurance refund and ABC revenue that he said should have strengthened reserves rather than been invested.
“You’re taking money and putting it over here, it’s encumbered money, and now we gotta raise their taxes,” he said. “You poor citizens got $6 million over here that should be drawing 9% interest that gets shrinking instead of getting bigger.”
As the exchange escalated, Davis accused Thompson of repeatedly alleging wrongdoing.
“You continue to say that I’m wrong and crooked,” Davis said cool as a cucumber. “You’ve told me that all of us were going to jail.”
Unflinching, Thompson denied the accusation, saying, “I said all of you need to go to jail. The way the government works, all they do is sit you home.”
Eventually, Davis cut off the discussion.
“We’re gonna be done talking about this issue right now,” he said, moving the meeting on to other business.
During public comment, Milton Simpson of Secota Village addressed commissioners regarding code enforcement action taken against his property at 92 Scuppernong Road.
“On December 11, I received a letter from the Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners saying that I had numerous uninhabited and inhabited campers located at 92 Scuppernong Road,” Simpson said. “The letter says the situation is dangerous or prejudicial. Can somebody here tell me what made the situation dangerous or harmful to the public health and safety so I can correct it?”
County Manager Clegg cited multiple concerns, including more than one dwelling unit on a residential lot, lack of septic service, electrical hookups using extension cords, limited trash service and potable water issues. Clegg also pointed to ordinances limiting the number of campers allowed on a single residential parcel.
Simpson said he had attempted to comply.
“As of right now, I complied the best I could moving forward. I removed two RVs,” Simpson said, adding that one tenant still had recreational vehicles on the property for storage and possible living use. “I’m just trying to get clear communication.”
Clegg explained Simpson had been notified of his right to appeal and that the matter had shifted from enforcement to remediation.
“He wants to work toward a resolution,” one official said. “There just needs to be a clear understanding of what that resolution is.”
Simpson told commissioners he was trying to stabilize tenants living on the property.
“As of right now, I’m just trying to help them be more stable,” he said. He described efforts to arrange septic pumping, address electrical service and pursue water and inspection permits. “I feel like the county could help me and not try to penalize me for trying to do something I think is positive.”
Commissioners explained that under the county’s campground ordinance, more than three campers on a lot constitutes a campground, triggering additional requirements.
“If you have over three on a lot, you’re considered a campground,” Thompson said, citing spacing, bathhouse and permitting standards.
As the discussion continued, the commissioners concluded that the property is a residential lot in a subdivision, further restricting allowable use.
“I think you’re limited to one,” Everett said.
Davis summarized the board’s position.
“To be in compliance, according to Mr. Clegg here, you could have one recreational vehicle, and then a storage building would be fine,” Davis said, noting storage buildings larger than 120 square feet require permits.
Simpson asked whether a tenant facing eviction could remain on the property.
“Is there any way that I could keep her there? She’s poor. Nobody has any money,” Simpson said.
Clegg responded that Simpson had already initiated eviction proceedings and that the matter was now before the courts.
Another speaker, Bobby Price, who said he lived on the property with his girlfriend Leslie Bond, described the potential impact of enforcement.
“It’s affected us to the point where we’re going to be homeless,” Price said. “I don’t think that any of y’all are here to put people in the street. I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to help this man (Simpson) get this in order.”
Price said rental housing options were scarce in Tyrrell County and emphasized the couple’s efforts to maintain the property.
“We just want a place to live,” he said. “Everybody in this room has a place to live, but you wouldn’t know what it feels like to be displaced or homeless.”
Commissioners reiterated that only one camper could remain on the lot.
“You can have one camper there. That’s it,” Thompson said.
Davis thanked Simpson for his efforts and encouraged compliance.
“It sounds like you need to get it down to one camper whenever you can, as quickly as you can — that’s the bottom line,” Davis said. “I appreciate what you’ve done so far. According to the ordinance, that’s what we’re going by.”
Simpson said, “I will.”
After public comment ended, commissioners turned to the consent agenda, pulling and amending an appointment to the Mid-East Regional Housing Authority. Commissioner Nina Griswell was appointed to the board effective Feb. 1, 2026, with unanimous approval.Later, commissioners received updates on transportation and drainage issues, including efforts to advance repairs on N.C. 94 and discussions with Albemarle Resource Conservation & Development Council regarding delayed flood mitigation projects. Officials said unused grant funds could potentially be redirected to snagging and drainage work elsewhere in the county.
Clegg presented a series of budget amendments and refund requests, all of which passed unanimously unless otherwise noted. Commissioners approved a budget amendment to distribute state funds for public school building repairs to the Tyrrell County Board of Education.
The board also approved multiple tax refunds and releases, including solid waste relief for Nancy Brickhouse, valuation adjustments for several property owners, refunds for removed mobile homes and duplicate payments, and a $4,520.15 adjustment for Lakeside Organics related to a conservation easement. Thompson abstained from voting on a $301 refund involving his own property valuation.