FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting held at 6:45 p.m. on April 27, 2026, in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. Agendas and supporting materials are available at www.cumberlandcountync.gov/commissioners.
Vice Chairwoman Veronica Jones led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
A public comment period was held.
RECOGNITIONS
A. Fayetteville Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
The Board recognized the Fayetteville Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. for its continued service to the young people of Cumberland County through youth leadership development, community service and educational programming.
B. Kinley Milligan, Founder of Kinley’s Reading Club
The Board recognized Kinley Milligan, a sixth-grade student at Gray’s Creek Middle School, for founding Kinley’s Reading Club to help children across North Carolina discover a love of reading. She also received a Proclamation recognizing Young Readers Day in Cumberland County.
C. Governor’s Volunteer Service Award Recipients
The Board recognized five local recipients of the 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, coordinated locally by United Way of Cumberland County:
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Karen Mantzouris: Recognized for service on the United Way Board of Directors, leadership as Chair of the Community Impact Council, and continued support of local school health advisory programs.
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Mary DiRisio: Recognized for volunteer service with the Cumberland County Literacy Council and leadership as a Literacy Ambassador.
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Pamela Fisher: Recognized for outstanding volunteer service and dedication to mentoring and educating Cumberland County youth.
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Ruby Murray: Recognized for volunteer service supporting military families and mentoring local youth through Operation Turkey, Balm in Gilead Family Counseling Ministries, and the High School Army JROTC program.
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Victoria Case: Recognized for volunteer service supporting military families through the USO, ASYMCA of Fort Bragg, and Blue Star Families of the Greater Fayetteville Chapter.
D. The Fayetteville Liberty Basketball Team
The Board recognized the Fayetteville Liberty for completing its first official season and presented a proclamation declaring April 27, 2026, as Cumberland County Basketball Day.
E. Cumberland County High School Basketball Team
The Board recognized recent achievements of, and presented a proclamation to, the following high school basketball teams:
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Terry Sanford Girls Basketball Team
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Seventy-First Girls Basketball Team
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Seventy-First Boys Varsity Team
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E.E. Smith Boys Basketball Team
F. North Carolina Certified Local Government Purchasing Officer Certification
The Board recognized Community Development Director Rayshonia Manuel for earning the North Carolina Certified Local Government Purchasing Officer certification.
G. Public Information Office NC3C Excellence in Communications Awards
The Board the Public Information Office for two third-place awards North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) Excellence in Communications Awards:
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Board unanimously approved the agenda with the following changes:
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Addition of Item of Business 4J, Unhoused Support Center Schematic Design
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Removal of Consent Agenda 2K, Approval of an Agreement with Kingdom Community Development Corporation under the HOME Investment Partnership Program, and addition of the item as Items of Business 4K
2. CONSENT AGENDA
The Board unanimously approved the following Consent Agenda items unless otherwise noted:
A. Approval of the March 17, 2026 Board of Commissioners' Regular Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of a Proclamation Honoring Lawrence “Bud” Wilson
C. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing National Library Week in Cumberland County Library Director Heather Hall and library staff received the proclamation.
D. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Young Readers Day in Cumberland County Kinley’s Reading Club founder Kinley Milligan received the proclamation.
E. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Basketball Day in Cumberland County Coaches and players representing various Cumberland County Schools basketball teams received the proclamation.
F. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing the Fayetteville Liberty Basketball Team Fayetteville Liberty Team Market Owner Robert Edwards and team members received the proclamation.
G. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Community Development Week in Cumberland County Community Development Director Rayshonia Manuel and staff received the proclamation.
H. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week in Cumberland County Animal Services Director Diane Pfiefer and staff received the proclamation.
I. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Goodyear Staff from Goodyear’s Fayetteville Plant received the proclamation.
J. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Professional Clerks to the Board of Commissioners Week Clerk to the Board Andrea Tebbe and Deputy Clerk to the Board Iva Clark received the proclamation.
K. Approval of an Agreement with Kingdom Community Development Corporation under the HOME Investment Partnership Program This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and added to Item 4K, Items of Business, by unanimous vote.
L. Approval of a Rejection Bid Award for Elevator Modernization at 109 Bradford Avenue
M. Approval of an Employment Contract with Christopher Mitchell for Veterans Treatment Court
N. Approval of Bid Award for Post Event Recovery Shelter Generator Installation
O. Approval of a Resolution for funding assistance for the Vander Water and Sewer District
P. Approval of a Resolution for funding assistance for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Plant
Q. Approval of a Resolution and Letter for Enforcement Actions by DEQ
R. Approval of a Service Agreement with Smith Gardner, Inc. for Rhodes Pond Bid Phase and Contract Administration
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Community Development Draft Annual Action Plan for Program Year 2026 (Fiscal Year 2026-27)
Community Development staff presented the Draft Annual Action Plan required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Final approval is expected in May. No action was taken.
B. Miscellaneous Crown Center Capital Projects
A public hearing was held regarding proposed financing of up to $5.5 million for equipment, fixtures and related improvements at the Crown Expo Center and Crown Coliseum. No action was taken.
C. CASE # ZON-26-0007
Rezoning request from R10 Residential District and M2 Heavy Industrial District to R6 Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for three (3) parcels comprising approximately 1.86 +/- acres; located at 2663, 2669, and 2681 Everitte St, submitted by Tahir Kazmi (Agent/Applicant) on behalf of Crescent Real Estate Investments, LLC (Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
D. CASE # ZON-26-0008
Rezoning request from RR Rural Residential District to C2(P) Planned Service and Retail District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising approximately 1.30 +/- acres; located on the north side of Clinton Rd, approximately 620 feet northeast of Bladen Cir., submitted by Michael E. Spell (Applicant/Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
E. CASE # ZON-26-0009
Rezoning request from C(P) Planned Commercial District to RR Rural Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising approximately 2.54 +/- acres; located on the south side of Menscer Dr, approximately 840 feet west of Shipman Rd. submitted by Mary Jessica Menscer Gillis (Applicant/Owner). The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
4. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
A. Consideration of an Airport Economic Development Incentive Funding and Associated Budget Ordinance Amendment B260295
The Board voted 5-1 to approve a request allocating $400,000 to the Fayetteville Regional Airport Incentive Fund as part of an effort to attract additional air service to the region, along with the related budget ordinance amendment.
B. Consideration of a Final Resolution Adoption
In January 2026, the Board approved Capital Project Budget Ordinance #260248 for Crown Complex improvements intended to extend the life of existing facilities, initially funded through a $5.5 million transfer from the Food and Beverage Fund to be reimbursed through future financing pending approval by the Local Government Commission. The Board voted 5-1 to approve a final resolution supporting that financing.
C. Consideration of Rejection of Bid Award for Crown Netting
Formal bids were received April 2 and April 17 for the Crown Coliseum netting system. The Board unanimously rejected all bids for the project.
D. Consideration of a Bid Award for Crown Coliseum Sound System
An Invitation for Bid was issued March 20, and a mandatory pre-bid conference and site visit were held March 26 for the Crown Coliseum sound system project. Due to a tied vote, motions failed and no action was taken.
E. Consideration of Contracts for Crown Theater and Arena Renovations
The Board voted 4-2 to approve renovation contracts, with agreed-upon edits, with SfL+a Architects and Oak View Group for the Crown Theater and Arena renovation project.
F. Consideration of Crown Renovation Project Capital Budget Ordinance #260733 and Declaration of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures
A draft capital project budget ordinance for Crown renovations, including current contracts, was presented. The budget may increase as project scope and design are finalized. The Board voted 5-1 to adopt the capital project ordinance and reimbursement resolution for renovations totaling up to $4,049,395.
G. Consideration of a Resolution Opposing Modifications to County Property Tax Authority
The Board considered a resolution supporting preservation of local property tax authority as part of its 2026 State Legislative Agenda. Due to a lack of a second, the motion failed. No action was taken.
H. Consideration of an Acceptance of SRP Grant Funding – Overhills Park WSD MRF
The Board unanimously accepted a $50,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Infrastructure to support a merger/regionalization feasibility study for the Overhills Park water system.
I. Consideration of a Recommendation for Award – Gray’s Creek Phase 1 Water
Distribution – Package 1 and Package 2
The Board unanimously awarded a $5,927,429 construction contract to Jymco Construction Company Inc. for Phase 1 water distribution improvements in Gray’s Creek.
J. Unhoused Support Center Schematic Design This item was added by unanimous vote.
Previous project updates noted timely site and design decisions were needed to avoid delays. The Board voted 4-2 to approve the Carved Courtyard schematic design for the proposed Unhoused Support Center.
K. Approval of an Agreement with Kingdom Community Development Corporation under the HOME Investment Partnership Program This item was removed from Consent Agenda Item 2K and moved to Items of Business by unanimous vote.
The Board considered an agreement with Kingdom Community Development Corporation for Phase III of the Elizabeth Street Affordable Housing Project. The project is supported through the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The Board voted 4-2 to approve the agreement.
5. NOMINATIONS
There were no nominations for this meeting.
6. APPOINTMENTS
There were no appointments for this meeting.
7. ADJOURN THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
The Board recessed the Board of Commissioners meeting and convened as the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District Governing Board.
8. CONVENE AS THE GRAY’S CREEK WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
The Board convened as the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District Governing Board.
A. Recommendation for Award - Gray’s Creek Phase 1 Water Distribution - Package 1 and Package 2
The Board unanimously awarded a $5,927,429 construction contract to Jymco Construction Company Inc. for Phase 1 water distribution improvements in Gray’s Creek.
9. ADJOURN THE GRAY’S CREEK WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
The Board adjourned as the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District Governing Board.
10. CONVENE THE OVERHILLS PARK WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
The Board convened as the Overhills Park Water and Sewer District Governing Board.
A. Acceptance of SRP Grant Funding - Overhills Park WSD MRF
The Board unanimously accepted a $50,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Infrastructure to support a merger/regionalization feasibility study for the Overhills Park water system.
11. ADJOURN THE OVERHILLS PARK WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
The Board adjourned as the Overhills Park Water and Sewer District Governing Board.
12. RECONVENE THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
The Board reconvened as the Board of Commissioners.
13. CLOSED SESSION
The Board entered Closed Session to discuss:
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Privileged or Confidential Matter Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(1)
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Attorney Client Matter Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3)
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Property Acquisition Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5)
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Personnel Matters Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6)
Following Closed Session, no action was taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:16 a.m. on April 29.
The next Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting will be held Monday, May 4, at 9 a.m. in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. Meetings are livestreamed at cumberlandcountync.gov, on YouTube and on CCNCTV Spectrum Channel 5. Cumberland County can be found on social media by searching CCNCGov.