FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Feb. 17, 2025, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, which was held at 6:45 p.m. in Room 118 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.
Vice Chairwoman Veronica Jones gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Board welcomed Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council (FCYC) member Walter Sanders, a junior at Cumberland International Early College, who provided an update regarding the Council’s activities. Commissioner Pavan Patel presented Mr. Sanders with a certificate in recognition of his dedication to the Youth Council. To learn more about the FCYC, click here.
A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD was held.
1. The Board unanimously approved the AGENDA.
2. The Board voted unanimously to approve the following CONSENT AGENDA items, with the removal of item 2E to be considered as an Item of Business.
A. Approval of Reappointment of Tax Administrator
B. Approval of Report on the Disposal of Surplus Property Pursuant to N.C.G.S. 160A-226(A)
C. Request for Authorization to Fund Security Fence at Robin's Meadow Transitional Housing Complex
D. Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices
E. Policy Directing the Flow of Work Through the Committees of the Board of Commissioners: This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as an Item of Business (4D).
F. Approval of the Board of Commissioners' Updated 2025 Committee Meeting Schedule
G. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendments for the February 17, 2025 Board of Commissioners' Agenda
H. Approval of Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Agenda Session Items
- Rejection of Bids for Sheriff's Training Indoor Firing Range Replacement Project
3. The following PUBLIC HEARINGS were held:
A. Rezoning Case # ZON-24-0039: Rezoning from A1 Agricultural District to R15 Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for 20.50 +/- acres; located north of Fennell Road and west of Tower Drive, submitted by Scott Brown (Agent) on behalf of Sids Mill Properties LLC (Owner). The Board voted unanimously to approve the rezoning request.
4. The following ITEMS OF BUSINESS were discussed including:
A. Request to Restore Nonprofit Assistance Program Funding to the Original Budget and Associated Budget Ordinance Amendment B250157: Tye Vaught, Chief of Staff, presented. On Jan.21, 2025, the Board of Commissioners American Rescue Plan (ARP) Committee directed staff to create a framework for reopening the Nonprofit Assistance Program application for Fiscal Year 2026. The Committee recommended approval of program guidelines on Feb. 10, 2025, and transferring $1,081,735 from freed-up capacity funds to restore the program to its original allocation amount of $1,472,599 on top of the remaining program capacity of $390,864. The application period will be 30 days and staff will review applications and make funding recommendations to the ARP Committee for a recommendation to the full Board. Once approved, contracts will begin July 1, 2025. A press release will be issued announcing the opening of the application period and a virtual information session will be held for nonprofits to learn more about the program and how to apply for funds. The Board unanimously approved the funding recommendation and Budget Ordinance Amendment B250157.
B. Consideration of Resolution in Support of State Legislative Agenda Items: Faith Phillips, Assistant County Manager, presented. The Board held a joint special meeting with the Cumberland County state legislative delegation on Feb. 10, 2025, where they shared State Legislative Agenda items based on priorities identified during the Jan. 30 - 31 Strategic Planning Retreat. A resolution supporting State Legislative Agenda items was presented at the Board’s Feb. 13, 2025, agenda session and moved to the Feb. 17 meeting for consideration as an Item of Business. Chairman deViere recommended prioritizing a total of $93.5 million in funding requests, prioritized as follows:
Quality, Smart Development & Infrastructure: $5 million for public water infrastructure for the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District water expansion project and $50 million for public water and sewer county-wide infrastructure.
Supporting a High-Performing Education System: $30 million, including $15 million of direct State appropriations for infrastructure needs and $15 million for a new state-of-the-art school.
Enhancing Health & Wellness: $4 million to expand comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment services for youth.
Increased Culture and Recreation Opportunities: $2 million for Regional Aquatic Center preconstruction needs.
Ensuring a Safe Community: $2 million for a Mobile Incident Command Unit for Emergency Services and $500,000 for Digital Dispatch Equipment for Cumberland County’s Fire Chiefs Association.
The Board voted unanimously to approve the resolution with the requested modifications.
C. Fiscal Year 2024 Response to Address Financial Performance Indicator of Concern: Robin Koonce, Finance Director, presented. The County’s Fiscal Year 2024 audit results were presented to the Board on Jan. 9, 2025, agenda session. The audit presentation included one Financial Performance Indicator of Concern (FPIC) related to a net operating loss in the County's Water/Sewer funds. The Local Government Commission (LGC) requires a response to the FPIC within 60 days of the audit presentation. The deadline for submission is March 9, 2025. The Board unanimously approved the corrective action plan, which will be submitted to the LGC before the deadline.
D. Policy Directing the Flow of Work Through the Committees of the Board of Commissioners: Rick Moorefield, County Attorney provided an overview of the recommended policy, which was reviewed by the Board of Commissioners Policy Committee on Feb. 11, 2025. The Policy Committee, which is chaired by Commissioner Henry Tyson, voted unanimously to recommend approval to the full Board. The purpose of the policy is to establish a uniform and efficient process to ensure matters considered by the board of commissioners are fully vetted by directing them through the appropriate Board committee for initial consideration and recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. The Board voted 5-to-1 to approve the policy.
The Board went into CLOSED SESSION to discuss and Attorney Client Matter Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3).
The Board adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m.
Board of Commissioners regular meetings and agenda sessions 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.