ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County has a new interim county manager.
The Richmond County Board of Commissioners — after adding the matters to the agenda — voted unanimously Tuesday to accept a separation agreement and mutual release regarding the employment of now-former county manager Bryan Land, and an employment agreement to name Finance Director Cary Garner as interim manager.
According to the first agreement, Land’s employment ended effectively on Aug. 31.
The county will pay Land $226,250 as a separation payment and will be made in 20 consecutive monthly payments of $11,312.50, per the agreement. Land will also receive health insurance through the county until he is eligible for Medicare.
Although the vote was approved by every member of the board, commissioner Justin Dawkins offered a disclaimer.
“My vote is about the separation and about getting this county focused on what’s ahead,” Dawkins said. “I don’t support the financial terms. I think we could have gotten here for less money.”
The agreement also includes a mutual non-disparagement clause that prohibits Land and “key employer personnel” — including commissioners —from “recklessly or maliciously” engaging in conduct that “disparages, denigrates or discredits” the other party, or asserting “untruthful statements designed to cause financial or reputational harm …”
Commissioner Jame Gathings has been vocal against what he sees as conflicts of interest and secrecy from Land.
In February, Gathings questioned Land about the storage of Cavco-built mobile homes on property behind Rockingham Dragway, owned by the manager’s family — after those homes had previously been stored on county property.
During a special meeting in June, Gathings expressed concern about the perception of Land riding in a private plane owned by someone requesting to lease space at the airport for a hangar.
Last month, Gathings said he was tired hearing about things from residents before being informed by Land. In this case, the commissioner was referring to Land’s knowledge of the sale of property on County Home Road.
Gathings, Dawkins and Commissioner Jason Gainey all raised issues last summer related to the process of granting Rockingham Speedway $375,000 to help pay off the Safer barriers in the interest of preserving the NASCAR race date for 2026 and negotiations with Track Enterprises for the sale of the facility.
Land was hired as the county manager in late 2017 following the departure of Rick Sago. Land had previously been assistant county manager and public works director.
While presenting the current fiscal year’s budget, Land boasted that, during his tenure, the county’s fund balance had increased from 5.03% to 48.69% and that the debt burden had “been slashed” from $44 million to $21 million.
Cary Garner takes his seat as interim county manager.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
After Land’s agreement was approved, the board voted in favor of an employment agreement with Garner to be the interim county manager.
Prior to the vote, Commissioner Andy Grooms requested that the annual salary be increased from $180,000 to $210,000 since Garner would be doing both the finance and manager jobs until a permanent manager can be hired. That vote was unanimous.
Garner was hired as finance director in 2021. He previously served in the same role in Anson County and is also a former Hamlet mayor.
“Richmond County’s home to me,” Ganer said. “I appreciate the confidence and I’m here to help in any way … I will give you 100 percent.”
Gathings congratulated Garner, adding, “The only thing I ask (is) that you make sure that if (there’s) anything that this board needs to know, please inform us. I would not like to learn from the citizens.”
When the agenda for the meeting was sent out on Aug. 28, Dena Cook said that she had resigned as board clerk effective Aug. 21.
Garner said she is still employed with the county and that an interim clerk will be appointed in the coming days.
