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GATESVILLE – The position of Finance Officer for Gates County local government has been filled.

William Roberson was slated to begin his new duties on May 1, filling a months-old vacancy left when Kim Outland left the county to join the staff at Albemarle Regional Health Services.

Gates County Manager Scott Sauer made the announcement regarding Roberson’s hiring at the April 19^th regularly scheduled meeting of the county commissioners.

“The Finance Officer is very vital to the everyday operation of county government,” Sauer said. “When my feet hit the ground here on Feb. 13 we had yet to receive the first application for that position. As the board is aware, I’ve been making phone calls and knocking on doors. We have extended an offer to a very highly qualified individual. He has accepted our offer.”

Sauer said Roberson has more than two decades of local government experience in Bertie County, the last 11 years as the Finance Officer. He also served Bertie as its System Technology Administrator.

“He’s excited and eager to work with this board,” Sauer said. “He brings a wide range of experience in capital project financing, utility system financial operations, hurricane recovery, and FEMA reporting. He will be a tremendous asset to the team you are building here in Gates County.”

Also at last week’s meeting, Sauer confirmed that the commissioners, at a special called meeting on April 5, had approved his recommendation to cease advertising for the positions of Assistant County Manager, Human Resources Director, and Grant Writer. Those who have applied for those positions will be notified that the Board has decided to defer any hiring at this time.

Two of those positions (assistant manager and HR Director), both suggested by former County Manager Tim Wilson, were part of the FY 2022-23 budget, which required a property tax increase to fund those new jobs. The annual salary ($40,000) for the Grant Writer position was to come from the county’s share of the federal government’s American Rescue Plan. Last week, the board agreed to reallocate that $40,000 for technology upgrades.