FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the April 10, 2025, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Agenda Session, which was held at 1 p.m. in Room 564 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. To view the agenda and supporting materials for this meeting, go to www.cumberlandcountync.gov/bocmeetingmaterials.
Chairman Kirk deViere gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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The Board unanimously approved the AGENDA with the following changes:
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Removal of item 3C: 2025 AGCumberland Grant Program for Individual Farm Operations
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Addition of item 3D: Tax Payment to the IRS
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Swapping item 6D with 6A
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Addition of a Closed Session to discuss and Attorney-Client Matter pursuant to NCGS143-318.11(a)(3), and Economic Development Matter pursuant to NCGS143-318.11(a)(4), and a Personnel Matter pursuant to NCGS 143-319.11(6).
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2. The Board heard the following PRESENTATIONS:
A. Alliance Health Service Expansion Proposal for Cumberland County: Assistant County Manager Heather Skeens introduced Alliance Health CEO Rob Robinson who presented a proposal from Alliance Health to expand behavioral health services in Cumberland County, utilizing available county funding. This expansion aims to address service gaps and will be supported by the County's behavioral health fund balance, which currently stands at approximately $9 million. Alliance Health proposes using $750,000 for a one-time start-up of a new service with Cape Fear Valley Health System and $985,190 annually for two new programs: the Cumberland County Post Overdose Response Team (PORT) and a Jail Liaison and Post Release Coordination Team. Additionally, $462,000 is requested for PORT to cover funding shortfalls for this fiscal year. Alliance Health will update the proposal based on findings from the recently completed Sequential Intercept mapping initiative to further address identified needs. The Board moved unanimously to move the Alliance Health Service Expansion to the April 21, 2025, Board of Commissioners Consent Agenda.
B. Cumberland County Strategic Plan Update: County Manager Clarence Grier introduced Rebecca Jackson of True North Performance Group. Ms. Jackson presented an update on the County's strategic planning process. A retreat held on January 30 - 31, 2025, brought together Commissioners, County Management, department heads, and other stakeholders to set strategic priorities for the next three years. Facilitated by Rebecca Jackson (True North Performance Group) and Chris Rey (RC Strategy), the retreat resulted in seven strategic priorities: Enhancing Health and Wellness, Ensuring a Safe Community for All Residents, Fostering Economic Prosperity, Encouraging Quality Development and Smart Growth, Championing Responsive, Transparent Government, Providing Culture and Recreation Opportunities, and Supporting a High-Performing Education System. Measurable goals and actions have been developed for each area. A draft vision and mission statement were shared, emphasizing inclusivity, economic growth, and high-quality public service. The Board moved to place the Strategic Plan on the April 21, 2025 Consent Agenda.
C. Cost Comparison of a Four- and Six-Year Revaluation: Tax Administrator Joseph Utley presented on North Carolina's reappraisal cycle, explaining that counties may conduct reappraisals more frequently than the standard eight-year cycle. Mr. Utley explained that the projected increased annual cost to move to a four-year cycle would be $835,500 for additional staff and other costs such as vehicles and technology needs. The increased cost for a six-year cycle would be $447,300 for additional staffing and other associated costs. The Board discussed the benefits of a four-year versus a six-year cycle and the resolution requirements to advance the reappraisal. Staff recommends a six-year cycle starting in 2031, then moving to a four-year cycle in 2035. No action was taken. Mr. Utley also reported on 2025 revaluation informal appeals with just under 9,000 submitted and 1,200 reviewed. Formal appeals are still being accepted and are due by May 28, 2025, at 5 p.m.
D. Request to Transfer Funds to the Capital Investment Fund: Finance Director Robin Koonce requested authorization to transfer General Fund unassigned fund balance that exceeds 15% to the Capital Investment Fund, in accordance with Financial Policy 4.4.3. This transfer will support future capital projects or debt service and requires an approved budget ordinance amendment after the annual financial audit. The Board moved unanimously to transfer the fund balance above 15% to the CIF and redesignate ARP Freed Up Capacity from assigned to unassigned and to place the item on the April 21, 2025, Board of Commissioners Consent Agenda.
3. The Board voted unanimously to move the following items to the April 21, 2025, Regular Meeting for approval as part of the CONSENT AGENDA, unless otherwise noted.
A. Recommendation for Employee Health Center Provider: Ed Boardman from USI, the County's benefits broker, discussed the need for expanded primary care services at the County's Employee Health Center. The clinic, which currently provides acute care, faces long wait times due to limited staffing capacity. The County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to operate the clinic beginning July 1, 2025, and received six vendor proposals. Two finalists (Proactive M.D, the current provider, and Marathon Health) were interviewed by a staff panel, which recommended renewing the County clinic contract with Proactive M.D., with expanded staffing. The Board requested additional information on one-year contract pricing, penalties for early termination of a 3-year contract and the cost of having a medical doctor on-site.
B. Selection of a Mural Artist for America 250 Mural at Headquarters Library: Assistant County Manager Faith Phillips and Local and State History Manager Joseph Westendorf presented the selection process for a mural to be installed at the Headquarters Library. The mural, funded by a $25,599.56 America 250 NC Grant, will celebrate Cumberland County's history, including the Liberty Point Resolves and key Revolutionary War events. Seven artists submitted proposals, and the highest-scoring design was submitted by artist Max Dowdle. The mural will be installed on the southwest side of the library by June 2026.
C. 2025 AgCumberland Grant Program for Individual Farm Operations: This item was removed from the agenda by unanimous vote.
D. Tax Payment to the Internal Revenue Service- This item was added to the agenda by unanimous vote. Finance Director Robin Koonce presented information on a $110,771.14 IRS payroll tax repayment for a 2020 error, including $5,001.94 in penalties. The Board voted to pay the balance and interest and to negotiate the penalties.
4. OTHER ITEMS
5. Commissioners received the following MONTHLY REPORTS in their agenda packet.
A. Financial Report
B. Health Insurance Update
C. Grants Update
D. Project Updates
6. The Board discussed the following Commissioner Requests:
A. Sheriff’s Office Vehicle Replacements- Moved from item 6D to item 6A: Commissioner Henry Tyson presented. The Board received a request for the replacement of totaled fleet vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office. The Board discussed replacing 26 totaled vehicles for $2,260,738.74. Staff reported insurance proceeds will offset costs. The Board moved the item to the Finance Committee meeting on April 14, 2025, where staff will provide more information. Additionally, a countywide fleet evaluation is underway. The fleet evaluation information will be presented to the Board in June 2025.
B. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Update: Commissioner Pavan Patel presented. Commissioner Patel requested to discuss the timeline and process of Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) updates, with the goal to bring on a third-party consultant to assist in the process. Planning Director Rawls Howard supported the proposal, citing outdated regulations and a goal of streamlining and modernizing the appeals processes. The board approved moving forward with a task-force style UDO update process.
C. Municipal Infrastructure (less than10,000 population): Chairman Kirk deViere presented. The Board directed staff to review funding options and bring recommendations for providing vital water infrastructure to rural municipalities to the Infrastructure Committee in May.
D. Local Emergency Planning Commission – Out of County Applicants- Moved from item 6A to item 6D: Commissioner Henry Tyson presented. The Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC) requested a policy change to allow company representatives (non-residents) to attend LEPC training exercises. The Board moved to send the policy to the Policy Committee for consideration.
The Board went into CLOSED SESSION to discuss an Attorney Client Matter Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3), an Economic Development Matter Pursuant to 143-318.11(a)(4) and a Personnel Matter pursuant to NCGS143-319.11(6).
The Board took no action resulting from the closed session and adjourned the meeting at 4:42 p.m.
Board of Commissioners regular meetings and agenda sessions are live streamed through the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov, YouTube Channel and on CCNCTV Spectrum Channel 5. All documents associated with this meeting can be found on the Cumberland County website to include meeting agendas, minutes and links to the videos under the Board of Commissioners tab.
Cumberland County can be found on social media by searching @CCNCGov.