FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting held at 9 a.m. on Aug. 11, 2025, in Room 118 the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. Agendas and supporting materials are available at www.cumberlandcountync.gov/bocmeetingmaterials.
Chairman Kirk deViere recognized Vice Chairwoman Jones who celebrated her birthday on August 9.
Chairman Kirk deViere led the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
1. AGENDA
The Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
The Board unanimously approved the following consent items unless otherwise noted:
A. Approval of June 2, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes
B. Proclamation Honoring Sheriff Ennis W. Wright
C. Proclamation Recognizing Purple Heart Recipients
D. Proclamation Recognizing Gold Star Mothers
E. Proclamation Recognizing Emergency Management Month in Cumberland County
F. Proclamation Recognizing the 250th Anniversary of the Liberty Tree
G. Approval of Electronic Records and Imaging Policy
H. Approval of NC Cardinal Memorandum of Agreement
I. Resolution to Lease Real Property to Vision Resource Center, Inc.
J. Resolution to Lease Real Property to Alliance Health
K. Approval of Tax Collector's Preliminary Report and Proposed Settlement
L. Approval of FY2025–2026 Tax Levy Charge to the Collector
M. Budget Ordinance Amendment for the Aug. 11, 2025, Board Agenda
N. Adoption of the Emergency Watershed Protection Program for Lower Little River and South River
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Draft 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan
Tye Vaught, Chief of Staff and Interim Community Development Director, presented the draft 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan. The plan outlines housing and community development priorities to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by Aug. 16, 2025, to secure funding from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program.
The plans are available for public comment from July 15 to Aug. 15, 2025. Allocated funding for FY2025 includes $909,877 in CDBG funds and $391,086.57 in HOME funds. A public hearing was held as part of the required citizen participation process. Community Development received digital survey feedback from nearly 400 citizens.
The Board moved unanimously to approved the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan for submission to HUD.
4. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
A. Franchise for Courthouse and DSS Deli – First Reading
Heather Skeens, Assistant County Manager, presented the first of two required readings to renew a three-year franchise with Yi’s d/b/a Go ’N Joy Restaurant, which has operated deli/snack bars at the Courthouse (since 2003) and DSS (since 2008). The current franchise expires Dec. 31, 2025.
B. Unhoused Support Center Updates
Heather Skeens presented Phase 1 deliverables from LS3P and a one-year contract extension with Barr & Barr. The presented total project budget is $17 million for a 24,000 square foot facility. The proposal includes plans for 100 total beds.
The Board voted 6-1 to accept the phase 1 deliverables and approve an extension of the Barr & Barr contract for a term of one year.
C. Solid Waste Transfer Station Construction Contract
Amanda Lee, General Manager for Natural Resources, presented. With the Ann Street Landfill projected to reach capacity before 2030, a new transfer station is needed. The Board previously awarded a $5,463,344 contract to O’Connor Company of N.C., Inc. The Board unanimously approved the execution of the contract and authorized the Chairman to sign.
D. Ratification of Contracts: L & L Drywall and S-Core Technologies
County Attorney Rick Moorefield requested ratification of the following two contracts:
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L & L Drywall & Construction, Inc. – $835,363 for Crown Coliseum restroom renovations.
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S-Core Technologies of NC LLC – $105,000 for security system upgrades at the Ann Street Landfill.
Both contracts followed approved bid processes but were not formally presented to the Board. The Board voted unanimously to ratify approval and Chairman’s signatures.
E. Appointment of Sheriff
Following the retirement of Sheriff Ennis Wright on June 30, 2025, the Board received letters of interest from nine candidates by the Aug. 4 deadline:
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Joseph Bailer
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James Barnes
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James Black
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Kemberle Braden
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Brian Delrosario
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Johnathan Morgan
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Terry Ray
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Ronald Starling
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LaRue Windham
Each candidate was granted five minutes to speak to the Board. After hearing from each candidate and reviewing submissions, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Johnathan Morgan to fulfill the unexpired term through December 2026. The Board also approved the $25,000 surety bond with Ohio Casualty Insurance Company and set an annual salary of $195,000, effective Aug. 11, 2025.
5. NOMINATIONS
There were no nominations during this meeting.
6. APPOINTMENTS
A. ABC Board Chair Appointment
The Board unanimously appointed Terri Thomas as Chair of the Cumberland County ABC Board for 2025–2026.
7. CLOSED SESSION
The Board entered Closed Session to discuss:
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Attorney-Client Matter Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3)
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Personnel Matter Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6)
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Real Property Acquisition Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5)
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Economic Development Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(4)
Following Closed Session, the Board voted unanimously to increase the Clerk to the Board salary to $120,000 effective July 1, 2025.
The Board will hold an Agenda Session on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 1 p.m. in Room 564 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. The next Regular Meeting will be Monday, Aug. 25, at 6:45 p.m.
Board of Commissioners regular meetings and agenda sessions are livestreamed 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.