FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Jan. 27, 2025, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, which was held at 6:45 p.m. in Room 119 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. This meeting was originally scheduled for Jan. 21, 2025, but was rescheduled due to inclement weather. To view the agenda and supporting materials for this meeting, go to www.cumberlandcountync.gov/bocmeetingmaterials.

Commissioner Pavan Patel welcomed Pastor Chris Davis, Chair of the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, who led the invocation.

Commissioner Pavan Patel introduced Terry Sanford High School student Aahana Bahekar who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Kirk deViere welcomed Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council (FCYC) members Trevor Mayfield and Skylar McDonald who provided an update on the Council’s activities and shared information about FCYC’s annual Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month campaign. FCYC is hosting a Teen Dating Violence Conference to raise awareness on March 1, 2025. Additionally, the group is leading a kindness initiative in the county’s high schools where students are encouraged to share acts of kindness. Learn more about the Fayetteville Cumberland Youth Council at fcycnc.org.

The Board recognized members of the Cumberland County Board of Elections and staff for their dedication and commitment to the community and work during the 2024 General Election. Board of Elections Chair Irene Grimes, introduced Elections staff and thanked the Board of Commissioner for their support.

Commissioner Glenn Adams was recognized for his appointment to the North Carolina Central University Law School Commission. The prestigious 13-member commission is tasked with shaping the future of the North Carolina Central University (NCCU)School of Law.

A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD was held.

The Board unanimously approved the AGENDA.

The Board heard the following PRESENTATIONS:

A. Period Poverty Awareness: Amber Johnson, a senior at Gray's Creek High School and a local Girl Scout presented information about her Gold Award project, Project Freedom: Empowering Period Dignity. The initiative focused on addressing period poverty through education, sustainable resource distribution, and policy advocacy, and seeks to raise awareness of the importance of providing access to menstrual products in schools.

B. Fiscal Year-Ended June 30, 2024, Audit Results Presentation by Cherry Bekaert LLP: Linda Suggs with Cherry Bekaert LLP, along with Robin Koonce, Cumberland County Finance Director/Chief Financial Officer, presented the audit results for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. The audit was submitted timely to the Local Government Commission on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. Suggs noted the County received an unmodified opinion, which is “the highest level of assurance we can give you as an audit firm that your financial statements are free from material misstatement.” An electronic version of Cumberland County's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report can be found on the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov/finance. The Board unanimously accepted the audit as presented.

The Board voted unanimously to approve the following CONSENT AGENDA items unless otherwise noted:

A. Approval of Dec. 16, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes

B. Approval of Request for Destruction of Planning & Inspections Department Records

C. Approval of Board of Commissioners' 2025 Scheduled Committee Meetings

D. Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices

E. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendments for the Jan. 21, 2025 Board of Commissioners' Agenda

F. Approval of Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Agenda Session Items

1. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Engineering Services for Sewer Projects

2. Adoption of Policy Prohibiting Viewing or Saving Pornography on County Government Networks and Devices

The following ITEMS OF BUSINESS were discussed:

A. Authorization to Transfer Funds to White Flag Shelter Program and Associated Budget Ordinance Amendment B250005: Tye Vaught, Chief of Staff, presented. The White Flag Assistance Program provides emergency shelter and essential services to vulnerable populations during extreme weather conditions. Staff requested the Board's authorization to transfer $240,000 from the unallocated line-item (ARP freed-up capacity) to the White Flag Assistance Program. The transfer is needed to cover the costs of White Flag services for the Fiscal Year 2025 season. The Board voted unanimously to approve the budget ordinance amendment.

B. Sheriff Deputy and Detention Officer Recruitment and Retention Incentive Request and Associated Budget Ordinance Amendment B250487: Tye Vaught, Chief of Staff, presented. At their Jan. 14, 2025 meeting the Board of Commissioners’ American Rescue Plan Committee recommended approval of two funding recommendations for the Sheriff’s Office to address retention and recruitment challenges. Recommendations include:

1. Allocating $150,000 from American Rescue Plan (Freed-Up Capacity) funds to support initiatives aimed at retaining current Detention Officers.

2. Allocating $200,000 from the American Rescue Plan (Freed-Up Capacity) funds to implement a recruitment incentive program targeting seasoned Sheriff Deputies with prior law enforcement experience (LEO).

The Board voted unanimously to approve the request and associated budget ordinance amendment, and to allow the Sheriff to provide a framework for distribution.

C. Boards and Commissions Process: Andrea Tebbe, Clerk to the Board, presented. At their Jan. 14, 2025 meeting, the Board of Commissioners' Policy Committee recommended the following adjustments to the Boards and Commissions Nomination/Appointment Process.

1. Move the nomination/appointment process from monthly to twice a year - March and Nov. effective Feb. 1, 2025.

2. Create a committee to review the applications process and make recommendations.

3. Instruct staff to create list for March and Nov. appointments.

4. Chair of the Board of Commissioners will appoint Commissioners to serve on the Committee to review applications and make nominations.

The Board voted unanimously to approve the recommendations.

D. Gray's Creek Infrastructure - Stopgap Measure for Gray's Creek and Alderman Elementary Schools: Amanda Lee, General Manager for Natural Resources, presented. During the Dec. 10, 2024, Agenda Session, the Board directed staff to investigate deep well water infrastructure at Gray’s Creek and Alderman Road Elementary schools and determine the estimated cost, projected timeline and any other impacts for providing water to the schools as an interim measure until a public water main is constructed. Three options were provided with estimated costs and timelines:

1. Maintaining the existing wells at each school and adding point-of-use water treatment.

2. Maintaining the existing wells at each school and adding point-of-entry water treatment.

3. Installing deep wells to serve the schools.

The Board referred the item to the Infrastructure Committee for additional discussion and to make a recommendation to the full Board. At their Jan. 14, 2025 meeting, the Board of Commissioners’ Infrastructure Committee recommended the Board move forward with Option 1, adding point-of-use water treatment to Gray’s Creek and Alderman Road Elementary Schools, which had a lower cost and shorter timeline, and directing staff to continue investigating the other two options of adding point-of-entry water treatment and installing deep wells. The Board voted unanimously to approve the recommendation.

The following NOMINATIONS were made:

A. Cape Fear Valley Board of Trustees (3 Vacancies): The Board voted 6-to-1 to approve a motion to refer the nominations to the newly-created Boards and Commissions Committee.

The following APPOINTMENTS were made:

B. Civic Center Commission (4 Vacancies): The Board voted 5-to-2 to approve a motion to refer the appointments to the newly-created Boards and Commissions Committee.

The Board recessed the Board of Commissioners meeting and convened as the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District Governing Board to approve the following ITEMS OF BUSINESS:

A. Gray's Creek Infrastructure - Stopgap Measure for Gray's Creek and Alderman Elementary Schools

The Board adjourned the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District Governing Board meeting and reconvened the Board of Commissioners meeting.  

The Board went into CLOSED SESSION to discuss an Attorney Client Matter pursuant to NCGS143-318.11(a)(3) and an Economic Development Matter pursuant to NCGS143-318.11(a)(4).

The Board adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.

Meetings are live streamed on CCNC-TV though 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.