FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting held at 6:45 p.m. on Aug. 17, 2026, in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. Agendas and supporting materials are available at cumberlandconc.portal.civicclerk.com.
Commissioner Glenn Adams led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATION
A. Fiscal Year 2027 Adopted Budget Video
Communications & Outreach Coordinator Joshua Villagomez presented a short video produced by the Public Information Office highlighting the key priorities, funding allocations and strategic investments included in the adopted Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The Commissioners thanked the Budget staff and PIO team for their work. The video can be viewed on the County’s YouTube channel.
RECOGNITION
A. Sustainable Sandhills Composting Pilot
Assistant County Manager Faith Phillips and Trinity Vetere of Sustainable Sandhills presented the Cumberland Mills Elementary School (CMES) Composting Pilot, which was conducted during the 2025-2026 school year to reduce school waste by educating students and staff on how to conserve resources through composting in the lunchroom. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that about a quarter of all municipal solid waste in landfills is food. More than 1,838 pounds of lunchroom organics from Cumberland Mills was diverted from the landfill and back into the environment via vermicomposting. This goal was reached through intense collaboration between Sustainable Sandhills (SSH), Cumberland County Schools Go Green Initiative (GGI), Organic Life Amendments (OLA), and CMES staff. The following were recognized:
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Principal Amy McDowell, Cumberland Mills Elementary School
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Vice Principal Bianca Wooten, Cumberland Mills Elementary School
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Teacher Barbara Cascasan, Cumberland Mills Elementary School
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Mikayla Ramos, Cumberland County Schools Go Green Initiative
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Kat Polk, N.C. Composting Council
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Board unanimously approved the agenda with the following changes:
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Removal of Item 2M, approval of Cumberland County Detention Center Jail Health Plan. The item was approved during the Aug. 13 Agenda Session.
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Approval of a Proclamation honoring Warrant Officer 3 Benjamin “Chief” Washington.
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Added closed sessions for Personnel Matter pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6), Acquisition of Real Property pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5) and Attorney Client Matter pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3).
2. CONSENT AGENDA
The Board unanimously approved the following Consent Agenda items unless otherwise noted:
A. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Frances Figueroa-Lowe and Purple Heart
Recipients In Cumberland County
B. Approval of a Proclamation honoring U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Swinton
C. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Strike Out Suicide in Cumberland County
D. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing National Seniors Day
E. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Terry Sanford High School Golf Team
F. Approval of Service Agreements with Smith Gardner, Inc. for Solid Waste Water
Quality Services
G. Approval of Service Agreements with Smith Gardner, Inc. for Solid Waste Gas
Services
H. Approval of Electrical Easement Request – Parkton-Brisson Container Site
I. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendments for the August 17, 2026, Board of
Commissioners Agenda
J. Approval to Reappropriate American Rescue Plan Freed-Up General Fund Capacity
and Associated Budget Ordinance Amendment B270340
K. Approval of a Declaration of Surplus County Property, Authorization to Accept
Insurance Settlement, Approval of Budget Ordinance B270001, and Authorization to
Replace Vehicle
L. Approval of a Position for Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer and Associated
Budget Ordinance Amendment B270310
M. Approval of Cumberland County Detention Center Jail Health Plan. Removed from the agenda. Item was approved during Aug. 13 Agenda Session.
N. Approval of a Change of Command on an Intergovernmental Support Agreement
(IGSA) with Fort Bragg for Animal Services
O. Approval of the Cumberland County Match for the FAMPO Regional Transit Study
Contract
P. Approval of a Contract with Hutchins Law Firm LLP For Legal Services for Tax
Foreclosures
Q. Approval of a Bid Award for Crown Expo Center Chiller Replacement
R. Approval of Rejection of Qualified Based Selection Submittal Packages
S. Approval of 2026 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductee Recommendation
T. Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CASE # ZON-26-0015
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to R40 Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for two parcels comprising approximately 27.21 combined acres; located on the east and west sides of Mary McCall Road and 125 feet south of Harvestgrain Drive; submitted by Todd Mobley (Agent/Applicant) on behalf of Jesse W. Hall, Jr. (Owner).
The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
B. CASE # ZON-26-0025
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to A1A Agricultural District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel comprising approximately 2.10 acres; located at 2159 William Duke Road; submitted by Ervin Locklear Jr. (Applicant) on behalf of Ervin Locklear Sr. and Readie Marie Locklear (Owners).
The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
C. CASE # ZON-26-0028
Rezoning request from RR Rural Residential District to C2(P) Planned Service and Retail District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a 1.42 +/- portion of a parcel comprising approximately 1.62 acres; located at 2140 Wade Stedman Road; submitted by Kevin Carroll (Agent) on behalf of Bethany Volunteer Fire Department (Owners).
The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
D. CASE # ZON-26-0031
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to R40 Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for one parcel containing approximately 36.61 acres; located east of S. River School Road and 532 feet north of Boyces Landing Road; submitted by The Reserve at South River, LLC (Agent/Applicant) on behalf of Pamela B. Williams (Owner).
The Board voted 5-1 to send the rezoning request back to the Joint Planning Board.
E. CASE # ZON-26-0033
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to A1A Agricultural District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel containing approximately 2.72 acres; located at 6834 Turnbull Road; submitted by Cathleen Bryant (Applicant/Owner).
The Board unanimously approved the rezoning request.
F. CASE # ZON-26-0034
Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to RR Rural Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel containing approximately 12.02 acres; located north of Sanderosa Road and 156 feet east of Eastbay Drive; submitted by 4D Site Solutions (Agent/Applicant) on behalf of D. Brian Raynor Farms, LLC (Owner).
The Board voted 5-1 to approve the rezoning request.
4. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
A. Consideration of Tobacco 21 Resolution
The Board voted 4-2 not approve the Tobacco 21 Resolution (HB 430, Solly’s Law). The bill would establish a tobacco retailer permitting system and raise the minimum age of purchase to 21. HB 430 was introduced to the N.C. House of Representatives in March 2025.
B. Consideration of a Request for Engaging Outside Legal Counsel
The Board voted unanimously to approve the County Attorney’s request to engage outside counsel with public construction law expertise to handle the lawsuit brought against the County by Draughon Brothers, Inc., the contractor selected for the Crown Coliseum netting replacement and curtain trusses projects.
5. NOMINATIONS
There were no nominations for this meeting.
6. APPOINTMENTS
There were no appointments for this meeting.
7. CLOSED SESSIONS
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 Matters pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5)
Following the Closed Session, no action was taken.
The Aug. 17 meeting was adjourned at 9:53 p.m.
The next regular Board of Commissioners meeting will be held Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.
Board meetings and agenda sessions are livestreamed on the County’s website and YouTube channel.