FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting held at 6:45 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2025, in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. Agendas and supporting materials are available at www.cumberlandcountync.gov/commissioners.
Chairman Kirk deViere recognized several distinguished guests, including State Highway Patrol Commander Colonel Freddy Johnson Jr., Sheriff Johnathan Morgan, and County Fire Chief Freddy Johnson.
He then invited Chaplain Kenneth Tatum of the Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association to offer the invocation, followed by Colonel Johnson, who led the Pledge of Allegiance
Clerk to the Board Andrea Tebbe also welcomed a special visitor, “Flat Ensly,” a traveling character created by a second-grade student in Washington State and touring local governments nationwide.
PRESENTATION
A. Chief Freddy Johnson
County Fire Chief Freddy Johnson recognized representatives from fire stations across the county. He also presented Valor Awards to the Board of Commissioners, County Manager Clarence Grier, and CFO/Finance Director Robin Koonce in appreciation of their continued support. This support enabled the department to secure its strongest budget to date, enhancing services for the community. Commissioner Henry Tyson, who serves as Fire Commissioner, assisted in presenting the awards.
RECOGNITION
A. Fall 2025 Citizens’ Academy Graduates
Cumberland County’s Public Information Office plans and hosts an annual Citizens’ Academy. The Fall 2025 class included residents representing diverse professional and community backgrounds who demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement and public service.
The Board recognized the following individuals who successfully completed the Fall 2025 Citizens’ Academy:
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Detra Brown
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Dr. DeLisa Crosby
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Debra Franklin
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Mellissa Jackson
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Kevin Lynch
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Rashante McNeill
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Kesha Neely
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Jalen Nowell
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Chelsea Perkins
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Barbara Porter
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Shivani Ratnakumar
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Dorothy Tatmon
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Sherale Golden-Thomas
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Kelly Whitted
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
A public comment period was held.
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Board unanimously approved the agenda with the following changes:
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Addition of a Closed Session, Real Estate Matters Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5).
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Addition of a Closed Session, Attorney Client Matter Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3).
2. CONSENT AGENDA
The Board unanimously approved the following consent items unless otherwise noted:
A. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Sharon Glover
B. Approval of a Formal Bid Award for Replacement Operable Partitions at Crown Expo
Center
C. Approval of the Health Departments' Delinquent Accounts to Be Turned Over for Bad
Debt Write Off
D. Approval of an Award for Animal Services RFP #26-13-AS Veterinary Surgical
Services for Sterlizations of Cats and Dogs
E. Approval to Dispose Surplus Property Pursuant to NCGS 160A-266
F. Approval of Assembly Court and Parkton Road Convenience Center Construction Contract
G. Approval of Construction Contract for Sediment Pond Project
H. Approval of Memorandum of Cooperative Agreement with North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission
I. Approval of Service Agreement with Smith Gardner, Inc. for Non-Routine LFG
System Compliance Assistance
J. Approval of Service Agreements with Smith Gardner, Inc. for Solid Waste Gas
Services
K. Approval of Issuing a Field Report for Crown Coliseum Ballroom Renovation
L. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendments for the November 17, 2025 Board of
Commissioners' Agenda
M. Approval of Capital Project Budget Ordinance #260302-Unhoused Support Center
N. Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices
O. Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoice-TDA
P. Approval of a Proposal from Health Management Associates to Engage in Research on
Best Practice Behavioral Health Community Crisis Response Models
Q. Approval to Utilize Alliance Health Cumberland County Fund Balance to Purchase
Furniture and Vehicle from Alliance Health for Sally Hill Group Home
R. Approval of an Extension of Time for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park This item was moved to Item of Business 4E by unanimous vote.
S. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendment #B260339 for Feasibility Study for a
Cumberland County Aquatics Center
T. Approval of Resolution Opposing Interbasin Transfer This item was moved to Item of Business 4F by unanimous vote.
U. Approval of Disposition of Old Crown Basketball Court
V. Approval of Service Agreement with Meyers Engineering, PLLC for Overhills Merger
Regionalization Feasibility Study
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CASE # ZON-25-0033
Rezoning request from A1 Agriculture District to R30A Residential District or to
a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 3.97 +/- acres; located at 10255 Ramsey St., submitted by James Edgar Houston Brown II and Delia Brown (Owners).
The Board unanimously denied the rezoning request and approved the alternative request to rezone to R40A.
B. CASE # ZON-25-0034
Rezoning request from R40 Residential District to A1 Agricultural District or to
a more restrictive zoning district for 7.00 +/- acres of a 14.50 +/- acres parcel; located southeast of Abco Ln., and northwest of Dudley Rd., submitted by Carl Sims (Agent) on behalf of Albert W Robinson Jr. (Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
C. CASE # ZON-25-0035
Rezoning request from RR Rural Residential District to A1 Agricultural District
or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 374.57 +/- acres; generally located north of the Cape Fear River, south of McBryde St., 1.8 miles west of the intersection of Lane Rd. and Slocomb Rd., and one mile east of River Bend Rd., submitted by J. Scott Flowers (Agent) on behalf of Keith L. McCormick Revocable Trust (Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
D. CASE # ZON-25-0036
Rezoning request from RR Rural Residential District and PND Planned
Neighborhood Development District to A1 Agricultural District or to a more restrictive zoning district for twelve parcels comprising 1,038.09 +/- acres; all located north of the Cape Fear River and east and north of Slocomb Rd., along the north and south side of McBryde St., and approximately 1.25 miles west of the intersection E. Reeves Bride Rd. and McBryde St., submitted by J. Scott Flowers (Agent) on behalf of McCormick Farms Limited Partnership (Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
E. CASE # ZON-25-0037
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural, RR Rural Residential, PND Planned
Neighborhood Development, and CD Conservancy Districts to A1 Agricultural District or to a more restrictive zoning district for six parcels comprising 725.88 +/- acres; located north of the Cape Fear River, along the north and south sides of McBride St. and Slocomb Rd., and approximately three-quarters of a mile west of Lane Rd., submitted by J. Scott Flowers (Agent) on behalf of McCormick Farms Limited Partnership (Owner). The Board voted 5-1 to approve the rezoning request.
F. CASE # ZON-25-0038
Rezoning request from R6 Residential District to C2(P) Planned Service and
Retail District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 0.67 +/- acres; located at 3241 Natal St., submitted by Lino Abreu (Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
G. CASE # ZON-25-0039
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to R40A Residential District or
to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 2.40 +/- acres; located at 6650 Oak Grove Church Rd., submitted by Mike Adams, Maps Surveying (Agent) on behalf of Crystal McGee (Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
H. CASE # ZON-25-0040
Rezoning request from C3 Heavy Commercial District to R6 Residential District
or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 1.03 +/- acres; located at 1410 and 1414 Lillington Hwy; submitted by Edward Ball (Agent) on behalf of Charlie Ball (Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
I. CASE # ZON-25-0041
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to R40A Residential District or
to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising 1.79 +/- acres; located at 5888 Butler Nursery Rd., submitted by Joseph Wilson Marsh (Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
J. CASE # ZON-25-0043
Rezoning request from A1A Agricultural District and CD Conservancy District
to M1(P)/CZ Planned Light Industrial District Conditional Zoning or to a more restrictive zoning district for 4.62 +/- acres of a 193 +/- acre parcel; located at 8421 Burnett Rd., submitted by Stephen Cain (Agent) on behalf of David Kemnitz (Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
4. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
A. Consideration of an Adoption of the 2026 Board of Commissioners' Regular Meeting Dates and Agenda Session Meeting Dates
Each year, the Board of Commissioners adopts its regular meeting and agenda session dates for the upcoming calendar year. For 2026, two meeting dates required adjustments due to holidays:
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Jan. 20, 2026 – Moved to Tuesday because Monday, Jan. 19, is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
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Sept. 8, 2026 – Moved to Tuesday because Monday, Sept. 7, is the Labor Day holiday.
The Board unanimously approved the 2026 meeting schedule.
B. Consideration of Replacement of Sheriff's Office Duty Weapons
The Sheriff’s Office requested approval to replace its aging Glock G21 Gen4 .45-caliber pistols, which are over a decade old and lack modern MOS optic capability. The proposed replacement model is the Glock 47 Gen5 MOS 9mm, with an estimated cost of $218,000.
The Board unanimously approved the purchase, not to exceed $220,000, using ARPA Freed Up Capacity funds.
C. Sheriff's Office Request to Purchase an Armored Critical Incident Vehicle
The Sheriff’s Office requested funding to purchase a Rook armored vehicle for use during barricades, active shooter incidents, and disaster-related rescue operations. The vehicle offers ballistic protection, debris-clearing capabilities, and enhanced safety for deputies and residents. A Ford F-450 would also be needed to safely transport the unit.
The Board unanimously approved the purchase, not to exceed $708,000, using ARPA Freed Up Capacity funds.
D. Consideration of Resolution Opposing Modification to Chemours’s Permit for
Atmospheric Emississions
At the request of Chairman deViere, the Board considered a resolution opposing Chemours’ proposed changes to its atmospheric emissions permit. The permit modification has been under review by DEQ’s Division of Air Quality since early 2024, with the latest amendment submitted in Aug. 2025. The Board unanimously approved the resolution.
E. Approval of an Extension of Time for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park This item was moved from Consent Agenda 2R to Item of Business 4E by unanimous vote.
The Board unanimously approved a 12-month extension, through Nov. 2026, pending submission of required tax documents and extension forms to the City of Fayetteville.
F. Approval of Resolution Opposing Interbasin Transfer This item was moved from Consent Agenda 2T to Item of Business 4F by unanimous vote.
During the Nov. 13, 2025 Agenda Session, General Manager for Natural Resources Amanda Lee briefed the Board on the State’s consideration of an interbasin transfer certificate for the Town of Fuquay-Varina. Concerns include impacts to the limited water supply in the Cape Fear River Basin, increased pollutant concentration, and potential restrictions on future County growth tied to State regulations. Representatives from PWC also spoke and urged opposition.
The N.C. Environmental Management Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Dec. 4, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the FTCC Cumberland Hall Auditorium.
The Board unanimously directed staff to prepare a resolution opposing the transfer.
5. NOMINATIONS
There were no nominations during this meeting.
6. APPOINTMENTS
A. Request for Removal Parks & Recreation Board Member
The Fayetteville-Cumberland County Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission requested the removal of board member Antonio Renteria due to unexcused absences, which violate both the Board of Commissioners’ and the Commission’s bylaws. The Board unanimously approved Antonio Renteria’s removal from the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission.
7. OVERHILLS WATER AND SEWER GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
The Board recessed and reconvened as the Overhills Water and Sewer District Governing Board.
A. Approval of Service Agreement with Meyers Engineering, PLLC for Overhills Merger Regionalization Feasibility Study
The County received a $50,000 NCDEQ grant to study the possible consolidation of Overhills Water Company into the Overhills Park Water and Sewer District. Meyers Engineering, PLLC was selected earlier in the year as the most qualified firm, and staff were authorized to negotiate a contract. Funding is available through Grant Budget Revision #260486. The Infrastructure Committee recommended approval on Nov. 6, 2025. The Board unanimously approved the service agreement.
8. CLOSED SESSION
The Board entered Closed Session to discuss:
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Personnel Action Matters to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6).
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Addition of a Closed Session, Real Property Acquisition Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5). This Closed Session was added by unanimous vote.
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Addition of a Closed Session, Attorney Client Matter Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3). This Closed Session was added by unanimous vote.
Following Closed Session, the Board voted unanimously to direct the County Manager to increase the ABC Director’s salary by 6.17%.
The meeting adjourned at 10:04 p.m.
The next Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 1, 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. Cumberland County can be found on social media by searching CCNCGov.