FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — On Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, Cumberland County hosted a Joint City-County Liaison Committee Meeting in Room 564 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse, welcoming leaders from the City of Fayetteville and others to discuss key issues affecting the two jurisdictions.
The Joint City-County Liaison Committee convenes monthly to provide an opportunity for leaders from the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and Fayetteville City Council to provide updates, share insights and discuss topics of mutual interest.
The committee includes three elected officials from each governing body, including the Board of Commissioners Vice Chairwoman Veronica Jones (Liaison Committee Chair), Chairman Kirk deViere, and Commissioner Pavan Patel, and Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin, Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen (Liaison Committee Co-Chair) and Councilwoman Courtney Banks-McLaughlin.
Committee members received important updates on the following items:
JOINT 911 PROJECT UPDATE
Committee members received an update on the proposed joint 911 operations center from Chief Freddy Johnson of the Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association. He emphasized that the consolidated center will enhance public safety, improve efficiency, and position the community for a safer future. In April, the committee voted to fully consolidate the City and County public-safety answering points (PSAPs) into a single entity housed at the County’s existing facility. The proposal includes the formation of a new Communications Advisory Board which would oversee policies and procedures, with representation from public safety leaders, fire, sheriff, EMS and elected liaisons from both governments. The plan ensures no job losses, establishes salary parity and maintains all existing programs and accreditations. Proposed technology improvements include modernized digital dispatch, standardized training and service level enhancements. A mental health partnership with Alliance Health will embed crisis professionals within the center and use Durham’s HEART model to improve behavioral health response. The proposal includes operating under a 50/50 cost-sharing model between the City and County. Next steps include briefing both boards in October work sessions, calling a joint meeting of the Mayor and Chairman, hiring an integrator to guide the process and establishing an oversight committee. A formal vote advanced the presentation to both the City Council and Board of Commissioners for consideration in October.
ALLIANCE HEALTH PROJECT UPDATE
Sean Schreiber, COO of Alliance Health, also provided updates on two initiatives. A new reentry program will begin in December 2025 to connect individuals leaving the County detention center with care and support services. Alliance is also partnering with Cape Fear Valley Health to strengthen connections for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.
No additional items of business were discussed.
The meeting adjourned at 12:51 p.m.
For more information about Cumberland County and upcoming meetings, visit cumberlandcountync.gov or follow the County on social media at CCNCGov.