FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Aug. 5, 2024, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, which was held at 9 a.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 Toni Stewart led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
The Board, along with Planning and Inspections Director Rawls Howard, recognized Kenneth Hairr for being named the NC Building Inspector's Association District 6 Building Inspector of the Year. Hairr was presented an award and thanked for his 32 years of dedication to Cumberland County.
The Board, along with County Manager Clarence Grier, Chief of Staff Tye Vaught, and Human Resources Director Dominique Hall, recognized the 36 interns who completed the inaugural Cumberland County “Ignite” Internship Program. The County received over 237 applications for the inaugural internship cohort. The next cohort begins in September. Interns worked throughout the County in the following departments:
- Animal Services
- Budget & Performance
- Child Support
- Community Services
- Department of Social Services
- Employee Wellness
- Human Resources
- Innovation & Technology Services
- Justice Services
- Planning & Inspections
- Public Library
The Board, along with Assistant County Manager Sally Shutt, recognized the Innovation and Technology Services Department for their 2nd Place Award in the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2024 Digital Counties Survey. Keith Todd, Innovation and Technology Services (ITS) Director, thanked members of his staff for their hard work and service to the community. Members of the ITS team accepted the award at the NACo annual conference held in July in Hillsborough County, Fla.
Chairman Glenn Adams and the Board recognized Commissioner W. Marshall Faircloth for his appointment to the National Rural Action Caucus for the National Association of Counties (NACo).
Chairman Adams recognized Vice Chairwoman Toni Stewart for her recently released children’s book.
The Board recognized and presented a proclamation to Paul Johnson, honoring his more than 50 years of committed service to the community, congratulating him on his retirement from Beasley Media Group. Johnson addressed the Board and thanked County employees for their service to the citizens.
The Board unanimously approved the following CONSENT AGENDA items:
- Proclamation Recognizing Paul Johnson for his Service in Broadcasting
- Proclamation for Breastfeeding Month in Cumberland County
- Fiscal Year 2024 Audit Planning Letter from Cherry Bekaert LLP
- Formal Bid Award for Opioid Settlement for Public Health Department. Commissioner Jimmy Keefe discussed the impacts of the opioid crisis and emphasized the importance of opioid education and Narcan availability in public schools. Dr. Jennifer Green, Public Health Director, updated the Board on the plans in place to continue opioid education efforts throughout the County.
- Formal Bid Award and Contract Approval for Emergency Fuel Stand-By Contract
- Payment of Prior Year Invoice
- Contract Amendments for Temporary Employment Services with Belflex Staffing Network, LLC, Manpowergroup US, Inc. and The Mega Force Staffing Group, Inc.
- Tax Collector's Preliminary Report and Proposed Settlement
- FY2024-2025 Tax Levy Charge to the Collector
- Cumberland County Employee Childcare Center Dedication Plaque
- Report on the Disposal of Surplus Property Pursuant to N.C.G.S.160A226(A)
- Proposed Additions to the State's Secondary Road System
- Proposed Additions to the State's Secondary Road System
- Acceptance of Offer to Purchase Surplus Property Located at 939 Taft Street, Fayetteville
- Budget Ordinance Amendments for the August 5, 2024 Board of Commissioners' Agenda
The Board rescheduled the PUBLIC HEARING:
The Board of Commissioners voted to defer to the Aug. 19 board meeting a public hearing and a vote to approve a resolution for the issuance of tax-exempt bonds not to exceed $40 million by the Public Finance Authority to finance the cost of acquiring, constructing, equipping, and furnishing the new medical school on behalf of Cumberland County Hospital System, Inc. D/B/A Cape Fear Valley Health System. Dr. Hershey Bell, founding dean of the Methodist University College of Medicine, presented information on behalf of Methodist University and the Cape Fear Valley Health System.
The following ITEMS OF BUSINESS were discussed:
- Kroger Settlement Amendment: Dr. Jennifer Green, Public Health Director, discussed further opioid settlement funding now available due to the Kroger settlement. Cumberland County is set to receive $899,000 beginning in fiscal year 2025. The Board unanimously approved the resolution to receive funds.
- Consideration of Construction Manager at Risk Recommendation for Homeless Support Center Project: Jermaine Walker, Director of Engineering and Infrastructure, discussed the recommended Construction Manager at Risk Recommendation of Barr & Barr and McFarland Construction companies. McFarland is the largest African American owned construction company in North Carolina. The Board unanimously approved the resolution to award Barr & Barr and McFarland as the Construction Manager at Risk for the Homeless Support Center.
- Consideration of Action to Direct Commencement of Litigation for Violations of the Zoning Ordinance at 4407 S. Main Street, Hope Mills: Rick Moorefield, County Attorney, and Rawls Howard, Planning and Inspections Director, presented a resolution to enter litigation with the property owner for ongoing code violations. Andy Roberts, Code Enforcement Manager, presented specific information pertaining to the property. The Board unanimously approved the resolution to commence litigation with the property owner.
The following NOMINATIONS were made:
- Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (4 Vacancies and 6 Designees)
- Transportation Advisory Board (2 Vacancies)
The following APPOINTMENTS were made:
A. Cumberland County ABC Board (1 Vacancy): The Board appointed Chris Bullard to the ABC Board.
B. Cumberland County Animal Services (2 Vacancies): The Board appointed Lee Ward and Sandra Reeves to the Animal Services Board.
C. Joint Fort Liberty & Cumberland County Food Policy Council (2 Vacancies): The Board appointed Beth Maynard and Roni Winston to the Joint Fort Liberty & Cumberland County Food Policy Council.
The Board went into CLOSED SESSION to discuss an Attorney Client Matter Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3) and Real Property Acquisition Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5).
The Board of Commissioners adjourned the meeting at 11:38 a.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.
You can also follow Cumberland County on social media by searching CumberlandCountyNC.