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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. 21, 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 Pavan Patel led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.

There were no presentations for this meeting.

 

Commissioners recognized Rhonda Yvette Cherry for successfully completing the Lead Safety for Renovation, Repair and Painting – Lead Renovator Certification through the Partnership Effort for the Advancement of Children’s Health (PEACH). Commissioners also recognized her professional achievement, continued commitment to professional development, and efforts to strengthen the knowledge and expertise that support Cumberland County Community Development’s housing rehabilitation programs.

 

A public comment period was held.

 

The Board unanimously approved the agenda with the following changes:

 

Removal of Item 3G, Case # ZON-26-0041, rezoning request from R6A Residential District to M(P) Planned Industrial District for a parcel containing approximately 8.33 acres, located on the north side of Wilkes Road.

 

Removal of Item 4D, Consideration of Design Development Documents and Contract Amendment for LS3P to complete Phase 2c, Construction Documents.

 

The Board unanimously approved the following Consent Agenda items unless otherwise noted:

A. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing the 36th Annual Greek Festival

B. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library

C. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Cumberland County

D. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month

E. Approval of a Proclamation Recognizing New Life Bible Church’s 44th Anniversary

F. Approval of an Acceptance of Grant Award and Grant Project Budget Ordinance B270001 for the Cape Fear River Environmental Trail

G. Approval of Opioid Settlement Funds Resolution and Associated Budget Ordinance Amendment #B270829

H. Approval of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Comprehensive Vegetative Waste and Emergency Debris Management Plan

I. Approval of Health Department Delinquent Accounts to be turned over the N.C. Debt Set-Off Program

J. Approval to Establish Fees for New Maternal Health Services

K. Approval to Waive the Vaccine and Administrative Fee for Covid, Flu and RSV

L. Approval of an Agreement for Planning Services

M. Approval to Reappropriate American Rescue Plan Freed-UP General Fund Capacity and Associated Budget Ordinance Amendments B270831 and B270007

N. Approval of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Funds for the Local Reentry Council and Associated Budget Ordinance Amendment B270285

O. Approval to Accept the State of North Carolina Department of Transportation/NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program FY2027 Funding and Associated Budget Amendment B270228

P. Approval to Utilize Cumberland County’s Alliance Health Fund Balance to Fund Best Day Psychiatry and Counseling

Q. Approval of an Interagency Planning Team for School Facilities and Land Returned to the County

R. Approval of Rejection of Invitation for Bid #26-24-AS Animal Medications, Supplies and Tests

S. Approval of Rejection of Invitation for Bid #26-40-AS Veterinary and Laboratory Equipment

T. Approval of Sole Source for Replacement of Padded Cell Doors for the Detention Center

U. Approval of Sole Source for Purchase and Install of Detention Locks for the Detention Center

V. Approval of Sole Source for Annual Maintenance for ONESolution Software for Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center

W. Approval of Sole Source for Annual Maintenance for Cornerstone Hardware for the Detention Center

X. Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices

Y. Approval of an Amendment to Purchasing Policy, Purchasing Procedures and Procurement Card Guidelines and Addition of FTA Purchasing Procedures

Z. Approval Request to Rescind Fund Balance Policy

AA. Approval of Amendment to Policy 3-6: Capital Investment Policy, Section 2.0

BB. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendments for the Sept. 21 Commissioners agenda. Commissioners unanimously approved the budget ordinance amendments.

CC. Approval of Settlement Agreement with Chemours

 

The Community Transportation Program is requesting funding from the NC Department of Transportation. The ROAP, 5310 Operating, 5307 Operating Assistance grant funds are estimates and may be adjusted based on actual funding allocations received from NCDOT.

 

The Board unanimously approved the funding request.

 

Code Enforcement Manager Andy Roberts presented. Code Enforcement has received a complaint regarding a dilapidated structure located at 6404 Winthrop Drive, Fayetteville, near Honeycutt Road. Code Enforcement staff investigated the home and began the process of enforcement to have the home demolished as it is now beyond repair. Following a duly noticed hearing, the property owners were ordered to bring the property into legal compliance by the county hearing officer. The property owners have failed to correct the situation, and an ordinance directing the demolition of the structure is necessary to bring the property into compliance.

 

The Board unanimously approved the order to demolish the property at 6406 Winthrop Drive.

As part of the Cumberland County Joint Planning Board's ongoing program to prepare and update detailed land use plans for the county and its member municipalities, Planning Staff, in collaboration with area residents, stakeholders, and community partners, have developed the Hope Mills Area Land Use Plan. The planning area encompasses approximately 65,000 residents, including the Town of Hope Mills. It is generally bound by the Robeson County line to the south, the City of Fayetteville to the north, the Hoke County line to the west, and Interstate 95 to the east. The Town of Hope Mills has adopted the plan.

 

The Board unanimously approved the Hope Mills Area Land Use Plan.

 

The PY2025 CAPER provides detailed program accomplishments and an assessment of Cumberland County’s progress toward the goals and objectives established in the County’s Annual Action Plan for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The CAPER reports the County’s use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds and provides an opportunity to evaluate overall progress in carrying out the priorities established for the program year.

 

Rezoning request from A1 Agricultural District to A1A Agricultural District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel containing approximately 3.64 acres; located at 

6745 Oak Grove Church Rd; submitted by James Long, Jr. (Agent/Applicant) on behalf of Halo Investors, LLC (Owners). 

 

The Board unanimously approved the zoning request.

 

Rezoning request from R10 Residential District to C(P) Planned Commercial District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel containing approximately 0.51 acres; located at 5715 Camden Rd; submitted by Kacey Park Shupe (Owner).

 

The Board unanimously approved the zoning request.

 

This item was removed by unanimous vote.

 

Rezoning request from R6A Residential District to C(P) Planned Commercial District or to a more restrictive zoning district for a parcel containing approximately 0.19 acres; located at 4401 Cumberland Rd.; submitted by Marion & Kimberly Starling (Applicants/Owners).

 

The Board approved the zoning request by a vote of 4-2.

 

Assistant County Manager Tufanna Bradley and Social Services Director Brenda Reid Jackson presented. During the Fiscal Year 2027 budget development process, Commissioners discussed considering a comprehensive workload analysis to better understand DSS staffing resources and operational demands. Budget constraints, persistent workforce vacancies, recruitment and retention challenges, and increasing service demands highlighted the importance of conducting an assessment by an outside consultant to ensure staffing levels and organizational resources are appropriately aligned with the department’s workload and statutory responsibilities. County Manager Clarence Grier recommended that DSS use the state workload analysis tools and the Commissioners revisit considering a comprehensive analysis from a consulting firm if needed in the future.

 

By consensus, the Commissioners approved the county' manager’s recommendation.

 

Cumberland County Community Development issued RFQ No. CCD-2026-PHOENIX-DB-02 to solicit Statements of Qualifications from qualified design-build firms for the Phoenix Place Permanent Supportive Housing Project. Phoenix Place consists of the development of 10 new single-family supportive housing units. Based on the evaluation process, IMEC Group LLC was identified as the highest-ranked firm for purposes of beginning contract negotiations. The anticipated project budget for Phoenix Place is $3,748,700, subject to county approval, NCHFA review, funding documentation, and final commitment requirements.

 

The Board unanimously approved selection of IMEC Group LLC for a design-build contract.

 

The proposed Grant Project Budget Ordinance establishes a multi-year project fund for the Cedar Creek Area PER to Address PFAS. The project budget includes $1,104,940 for engineering fees, $199,560 for contracted services, and $10,000 for the administrative fee, for a total of $1,314,500.

 

The Board unanimously approved adoption of the Grant Project Budget Ordinance Amendment #B270273 for the Cedar Creek Area to address PFAS.

 

 

This item was removed by unanimous vote.

 

 

When the county hospital property was transferred to Cumberland County Hospital System, Inc., DBA Cape Fear Valley Health System in 2006, it was subject to a statutory requirement of reversion to the county if Cape Fear Valley Health System ceased being a community general hospital. The financing of the new building identified as a medical office building required this reversion interest to be subject to the lien, the ground lease, and the lease or leases to tenants. Those conditions are described in the attached memo from the hospital's attorney to the county attorney. The amendment to the transfer agreement is also attached.

 

The Board voted 4-2 to approve the Amendment to the Hospital Property Transfer Agreement.

 

 

Chief Financial Officer Robin Koonce presented. The Board unanimously approved Budget Ordinance Amendment B270833 to reallocate funds in the amount of $219,723 and to place the remaining $698,521 back into general fund balance. The reallocation needs to be done to meet FY27 contractual obligations, maintain critical emergency communications systems, and ensure uninterrupted emergency services operations. The FY27 adopted budget reflected an appropriation of $918,244 for the general fund balance of one-time funding. This funding is no longer required due to Emergency Services not receiving the grant. The department has asked to utilize $219,723 of the $918,244 and the budget department will place the remaining $698,521 back into general fund balance.

 

The Board unanimously approved the Budget Ordinance Amendments

 

There were no nominations for this meeting.

 

There were no appointments for this meeting.

 

The Board recessed as the Board of Commissioners.

 

The Board convened as the NORCRESS Water and Sewer District Governing Board for the purpose of consideration of a resolution for funding assistance for northern Cumberland County Regionalization and Asset Assessment Studies.

 

The Board, as the NORCRESS Water and Sewer District Governing Board, unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the county to apply for funding assistance for the Merger/Regionalization Feasibility and Asset Inventory and Assessment studies. The county anticipates coordinating with other local government units and utilities including the Towns of Falcon, Godwin and Wade.

 

The Board adjourned as the NORCRESS Water and Sewer District Governing Board.

 

The Board reconvened as the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.

 

 

The Board entered Closed Session to discuss:

 

Attorney Client Matter pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3)

 

Real Property Acquisition pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5)

 

Following the Closed Session, no action was taken.

 

The Sept. 21 meeting adjourned at 10:58 p.m.

 

The next regular Board of Commissioners meeting will be held Oct. 5 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.