FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting held at 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2025, in Room 118 the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. Agendas and supporting materials are available at www.cumberlandcountync.gov/bocmeetingmaterials.
Commissioner Henry Tyson led the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Kirk deViere recognized County Manager Clarence Grier and Assistant County Manager Heather Skeens who both have birthdays this week.
RECOGNITIONS
The Board recognized:
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Department of Social Services for Social Work Simulation Training Program: Cumberland County Department of Social Services (DSS) received two statewide honors this August for its Social Work Simulation Training Program. On Aug. 7, DSS was presented the 22nd Annual Innovation Award for External and Non-Traditional Partnerships from the North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services during the Social Services Institute in Hickory. On Aug. 21, DSS also received the Civic Excellence in Innovation Award from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners at the NCACC 118th Annual Conference in Pitt County. The training program, developed in partnership with the University of Utah, provides cost-effective, real-world virtual training to better prepare staff for critical child and adult protective services work in the community. Vice Chairwoman Jones, Board liaison to the Social Services Board of Directors, presented the awards to Social Services Director Brenda Jackson and Social Services Performance Management Division Director Heike Hammer.
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Cumberland County 4-H:The Board recognized several outstanding 4-H leaders and participants.
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Sarina Gautam, a Jack Britt High School student, represented Cumberland County as a 4-H YouthVoice delegate at the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ annual meeting in Pitt County.
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Eleanore Getz, recipient of the Dr. Kim Ingold “Hands to Larger Service” 4-H Award, was honored for more than 50 years of service at the local, district, state, and national levels. She is also a member of the Cumberland County Agricultural Hall of Fame.
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Alfreda Williams, 2024 - 2025 President of the State 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association, was recognized for more than 20 years of service. In her role, she has trained leaders across North Carolina and helped guide the 2025 NC 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association Conference.
Commissioner Henry Tyson presented each leader and participant with a token of appreciation.
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Tammy Fuller: Recognition of Tammy Fuller, who retired April 30, 2025. Fuller, who began with her career with the county in July 2007, served at the Cliffdale Library. Commissioner Glenn Adams presented Ms. Fuller with a plaque recognizing her 18 years of committed service to the Public Library and community.
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Dr. Torica Fuller: Vice Chairwoman Veronica Jones recognized Dr. Torica Fuller, Advanced Practice Provider II with the Department of Public Health, who was recently elected as the Chair on Commission of Advanced Practice Nursing for the 2025–2027 term. She is founder and chair of the Advanced Practice Provider section of the North Carolina Public Health Association.
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National Voter Registration Day: Vice Chairwoman Veronica Jones presented a proclamation to Lyndorra Thomson, representing Democracy North Carolina, recognizing Sept. 16, 2025 as National Voter Registration Day in Cumberland County.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
A public comment period was held.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Board unanimously approved the agenda.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
The Board unanimously approved the following consent items unless otherwise noted:
A. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Pearce's Mill Fire Department
B. Approval of Proposed Lease for Communicare
C. Approval of the Health Departments' Delinquent Accounts to be turned over for Bad
Debt Write Off
D. Approval to Waive the Vaccine and Administration Fee for COVID, Flu, and RSV
E. Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds and Associated Budget Ordinance Amendment #B260581
F. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment for the Sept. 15, 2025 Board of
Commissioners’ Agenda
G. Approval of FY26 Farragut Systems Tax Software Contract Amendment
H. Approval of an Update to Policy No.3-3: Purchasing Policy
I. Approval of Crown Event Center Change Order #4
J. Approval of an Update to Personnel Policies 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3
K. Approval of an Update to Personnel Policies 7.10, 8.4, and 8.5 - This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and moved to Item of Business 4C.
L. Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices
M. Approval of Asset Management Plans for the Water and Sewer Districts
N. Approval of Memorandum of Understanding for Water Agreement with City of Dunn
and Harnett County
O. Approval of Utility Service Agreement for the Kelly Hills/Slocomb Road Water and
Sewer District
P. Approval of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Engineering Services for Rhodes
Pond Parking and Restroom Improvements
Q. Approval of Contract Amendment Items for Crown Coliseum Door Replacement
R. Approval of Transfer of Governance of the FACVB to the TDA
S. Approval of an Amendment to Rule 29 of the Board’s Rules of Procedure
T. Approval of a Policy Governing Meeting Attendance for Appointees to Boards and Commissions
U. Consideration of Changes to the Health Department's Billing Manual for Out of County Residents - This item was removed from Item of Business 4A to Consent Agenda item 2U
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Section 5311 Grant Application and Approval of Submission of the FY27 Applications for the Community Transportation Program (Sections: 5307, 5310, 5311, ROAP) Grant Funds
Staff requested a public hearing on Sept. 15 for the Section 5311 Grant Application, which is due Oct. 3 and requires a hearing under state rules. For efficiency, staff also sought approval to submit applications for ROAP, Section 5310, and Section 5307 funds, which do not require public hearings. These annual grants, administered through the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), support Cumberland County’s Community Transportation Program. Funding will cover trips for work, school, medical needs, and general errands, as well as administrative costs such as staffing, supplies, training, program marketing, and compliance expenses. The FY27 grant period runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. The Board unanimously approved the authorization and submission of FY27 Community Transportation Program grant applications.
REZONING CASES
B. CASE # ZON-25-0030
Rezoning from R6A Residential District to C2(P) Planned Service and Retail District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 3.72 +/- acres; located at 6235 Camden Rd. and 6320 Rockfish Rd.; submitted by Thomas Neville (Agent) on behalf of Charles Koonce, Donald Koonce Heirs, Peggy Koonce and Tanna Kim Hutton (Owners). The Board voted to approve the rezoning request with Commissioner Henry Tyson recusing himself.
C. CASE # ZON-25-0031
Rezoning from A1/CZ Agricultural District Conditional Zoning to A1A Agricultural District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 1.00 +/- acres; located at 10785 Dunn Rd.; submitted by Timothy and Troi Buckholz (Owners). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
D. CASE # ZON-25-0032
Rezoning from A1 Agricultural District to RR Rural Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 0.92 +/- acres; located at 1708 Smoky Canyon Dr.; submitted by Edward Klement (Owner/Applicant). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
4. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
A. Consideration of Changes to the Health Department's Billing Manual for Out of County Residents - This was moved to Consent Agenda item 2U by unanimous vote.
B. Consideration of the Approval of a Consideration of the First Amendment to the Agreement for Health Care Services by Wellpath, LLC.
Wellpath, LLC, the County’s jail health provider since December 2023, will expand services to meet the needs of a growing inmate population. The additional funding was included in the FY25–26 Budget, and Chairman deViere signed the proposal on July 16, 2025. The Board approved the amendment to the agreement for Wellpath, LLC.
C. Approval of an Update to Personnel Policies 7.10, 8.4, and 8.5. - This item was moved from Consent Agenda item 2K to Item of Business 4C.
The Board approved updates to the County’s personnel policy to further support workforce development and employee engagement. Changes include expanding the School Participation Leave Policy to allow community involvement leave, and increasing the Tuition Assistance reimbursement limit to encourage professional development. The Tuition Reimbursement Policy was also amended to give employees greater flexibility in financing their education while protecting the County’s investment. In addition, the Board approved reimbursements of $250 - $1,000 for employees completing certificate programs.
5. NOMINATIONS
There were no nominations during this meeting.
6. APPOINTMENTS
There were no appointments during this meeting.
7. GRAY’S CREEK WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
The Board recessed the Board of Commissioners meeting and convened as the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District Governing Board.
A. Approval of Asset Management Plans for the Water and Sewer Districts
The Board reviewed Asset Management Plans (AMP) for the County’s water and sewer districts, developed with McGill Associates, PA. The plans include 10-year Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) to address system maintenance, operational challenges, and future growth, in line with state guidance. The CIP was incorporated into the FY26 budget.
8. KELLY HILLS WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
The Board recessed the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer Governing Board meeting and convened as the Kelly Hills Creek Water and Sewer District Governing Board.
A. Approval of Utility Service Agreement for the Kelly Hills/Slocomb Road Water and Sewer District
The Board approved a Utility Service Agreement with Slocomb at Bethune, LLC to connect phased retail space to the Kelly Hills/Slocomb Road Water and Sewer District. The project includes installing 349 feet of sewer line and four commercial connections, with all costs covered by the developer. Once completed and certified, the sewer mains will become County property and be maintained as part of the Kelly Hills system.
B. Approval of Asset Management Plans for the Water and Sewer Districts
The Board reviewed Asset Management Plans (AMP) for the County’s water and sewer districts, developed with McGill Associates, PA. The plans include 10-year Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) to address system maintenance, operational challenges, and future growth, in line with state guidance. The CIP was incorporated into the FY26 budget.
9. NORCRESS WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
The Board recessed the Kelly Hills Creek Water and Sewer District Governing Board meeting and convened as the NORCRESS Water and Sewer District Governing Board.
A. Approval of Asset Management Plans for the Water and Sewer Districts
The Board reviewed Asset Management Plans (AMP) for the County’s water and sewer districts, developed with McGill Associates, PA. The plans include 10-year Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) to address system maintenance, operational challenges, and future growth, in line with state guidance. The CIP was incorporated into the FY26 budget.
10. OVERHILLS WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
The Board recessed the NORCRESS Water and Sewer District Governing Board meeting and convened as the Overhills Water and Sewer District Governing Board.
A. Approval of Asset Management Plans for the Water and Sewer Districts
The Board reviewed Asset Management Plans (AMP) for the County’s water and sewer districts, developed with McGill Associates, PA. The plans include 10-year Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) to address system maintenance, operational challenges, and future growth, in line with state guidance. The CIP was incorporated into the FY26 budget.
11. CLOSED SESSION
The Board entered Closed Session to discuss:
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
The next Regular Meeting will be Monday, Oct. 6, at 9 a.m. in room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.
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.