City of Goldsboro employee Octavius Murphy was hired as Mount Olive’s town manager during Monday night’s town council meeting.
The vote to approve his contract was unanimous.
Murphy will begin his new job April 20.
“I’m excited,” he told a well-wisher after the meeting. “I’m up for the challenge.”
Although no official statement was made, interim town manager Glenn Holland expects to return to his position as utilities superintendent and operator in responsible charge for the wastewater treatment plant. He has served in the temporary role as town manager since January 2025.
During the meeting’s public forum, resident Linda Boykin praised Holland for his accomplishments.
“Tonight I want to thank our interim town manager for the progress I have seen during the short time he has been the interim manager for the town of Mount Olive,” she said. “I appreciate the cooperation he has given to our board in getting things done.
“Thank you for the street improvements; thank you for the lights; thank you for everything you have done for us because we do see the results.”
Her comments were met with applause from the audience and the board.
Murphy has been the city of Goldsboro’s strategic and community initiatives manager since last June, serving as the primary point of contact for organizations partnering with the city on a variety of community-related activities and initiatives. Before that he served as assistant to the city manager for eight years.
Murphy is a graduate of Eastern Wayne High School and N.C. A&T State University.
His annual salary will be $105,000.
Previous town manager Jammie Royall had worked for the town 16 years when he was hired as town manager in November 2020. His hire rate was $75,000. When he was fired slightly more than four years later, he was making $82,500.
By comparison, Holland’s salary was $90,000 during his interim role, the same as he was paid in his position as superintendent and ORC.
As stated in his contract, Murphy will receive four weeks of vacation per year, and all sick leave accumulated while working in Goldsboro will transfer to Mount Olive. Other benefits include medical, dental and life insurance as well as a match of his 401(k) contributions, up to 5 percent. He’ll also receive a $350 monthly car allowance.
Murphy, who lives in Goldsboro, won’t be required to live in Mount Olive but must reside within a 45-minute drive of town, according to the contract.
The board also renewed its contract with town attorney Carroll Turner, whose hourly rate will remain $165. As a contract employee, Turner does not receive insurance, vacation or sick leave.
The town’s contract with Turner doesn’t include an end date, noting only that the town attorney shall serve at the pleasure of the board. It was last renewed in 2023, according to town clerk Sherry Davis.
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