FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is summary of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Agenda Session held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2026, in Room 564 the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. Agendas and supporting materials are available at www.cumberlandcountync.gov/commissioners.

Chairman Kirk deViere provided an update on the Board’s new electronic voting system.

Commissioner Glenn Adams led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.

PRESENTATION

A. Parks and Recreation Agreement Update

Assistant County Manager Faith Phillips provided an update on a draft Parks and Recreation interlocal agreement. County management has been working with the City of Fayetteville and Parks and Recreation staff to address Commissioner requests related to financial policies, reporting, fee structure, transparency, and proposed City of Fayetteville cost redistribution.

Staff will present a proposed interlocal agreement to the Board at the Feb. 12, 2026 Agenda Session.

B. Incident Command Post Added presentation.

Emergency Services Director Garry Crumpler presented an overview of mobile incident command post options for consideration. A mobile incident command post allows staff to coordinate emergency response resources directly at the incident site and may also be made available to local and regional partners.

The County’s current unit has several limitations, including limited space and insufficient operational, technical, and digital capabilities. The purchase of a new mobile incident command post aligns with the Board’s strategic priority of Ensuring a Safe Community for All Residents.

C. GiIlespie Street Lot Update Added presentation.

During the Dec. 11, 2025, Agenda Session, the Board discussed potential options for the vacant Gillespie Street lot. Internal Services Director Jeremy Stefanko provided an update on mandates and cost estimates associated with temporarily converting the site into a green space while longer-term economic development opportunities are evaluated.

The estimated cost for grading, sod, and materials is $662,000, with additional permitting and survey costs anticipated. The existing DEQ site permit is expiring, and steps must be taken to formally close the former Crown Event Center project. Staff are conducting a site file review to ensure all permits related to the previous project are properly reviewed and closed, and will provide an update to the Board at a future meeting.

The Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is currently gathering information and developing recommendations for the site’s permanent, long-term use.

D. Homeless Prevention & Stabilization Voucher Program Update Added presentation.

Chief of Staff Tye Vaught provided an update on the Homeless Prevention and Stabilization Voucher Program. The pilot program was launched by the Board on Sept. 30, 2025. The initiative was funded with $250,000 in ARP Freed-Up Capacity dollars.

Within three weeks of launch, the program received 743 referrals and, through the available funding, provided assistance to 202 families. Due to the extraordinary demand, all pilot funds have now been fully obligated.

Staff will present the Board with proposed future program models and funding options in March.

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes:

• Removed item 3D, Declaration of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures.

• Removed 3H, Consideration of FAMPO Memorandum of Understanding.

• Added item 3J, Amendment to Ordinance 9.5-166.

• Added a Closed Session to discuss attorney-client matters pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3).

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Board unanimously approved the Dec. 11, 2025 Agenda Session minutes.

3. CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA ITEMS

The Board moved the following items to the Jan. 20, 2026, Regular Meeting Consent Agenda unless otherwise noted.

A. Preliminary Joint 911 Operations Center Community and Public Safety Survey Results

Cumberland County is engaged in ongoing discussions with the City of Fayetteville regarding a potential joint 911 operations center. Communications Director Diane B. Rice shared preliminary results from both a community input survey and a public safety personnel survey related to the potential joint operations center.

At the request of the Board of Commissioners, the Public Information Office initiated the surveys to gather input from key stakeholders. Both surveys will remain open through Jan. 25, 2026, to ensure broad and inclusive participation across the County. No action was taken.

B. Animal Services Updates and IGSA with Fort Bragg for Veterinary Training

Assistant County Manager Faith Phillips provided an update on an Animal Services Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA) with Fort Bragg for veterinary training. Through this agreement, Fort Bragg veterinarians provide surgical and other veterinary training services at Animal Services, significantly enhancing the department’s capacity to treat animals at no cost to the County.

Phillips also introduced newly appointed Animal Services Director Diane Pfeifer. Director Pfeifer shared an overview of her initial priorities, including staffing, training, technology upgrades, procedures, and long-term planning.

In addition to the IGSA, Assistant County Manager Phillips requested that Animal Services Officers be administered an Oath of Office at the Jan. 20, 2026 Board meeting.

The Board unanimously approved the updated IGSA with Fort Bragg and placed the item on the Jan. 20, 2026 Consent Agenda. The Board also unanimously approved administering the Animal Services Officers’ Oath of Office at the Jan. 20, 2026 meeting.

C. Agricultural Business Assistance Policy Update

Assistant County Manager Faith Phillips presented an update on the Agricultural Business Assistance Program policy, which the Board originally approved on June 12, 2025. The program supports local farmers impacted by weather-related disasters, rising input costs, and declining commodity prices, while promoting farm productivity and workforce stability through the hiring or retention of at least one full-time equivalent low- to moderate-income employee.

On Jan. 15, 2026, Cooperative Extension, Grants, and ITS staff hosted a program kick-off to assist farmers with the Euna Grants application portal, welcoming 63 participants.

Since adoption of the policy, HUD has updated its definition of low- to moderate-income. Staff requested approval of a policy update to reflect the current HUD threshold of $44,240.

The Board unanimously approved the policy update and placed the item on the Jan. 20, 2026 Consent Agenda.

D. Declaration of Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures This item was removed by unanimous vote.

E. Request from Fayetteville-Cumberland Regional Parks and Recreation Department

Parks and Recreation Director Michael Gibson presented a request related to a FAMPO grant for the design of an extension of the Cape Fear River Trail. Originally submitted in winter 2023, the project would extend the trail from the current city limits to Arnette Park, enhancing recreation, transportation connectivity, and regional mobility.

The grant was awarded in the amount of $1,096,000 and requires a 20% local match of $274,000, for a total project cost of $1,370,000. In November 2025, Parks and Recreation staff coordinated with County Finance staff regarding the award, at which time it was determined the request required Board approval.

The Board unanimously approved the request for support, to be funded from the Freed-Up Capacity Fund balance, and placed the item on the Jan. 20, 2026 Consent Agenda.

F. Certification of Completion for Tri-County Subdivision Water Project

Public Utilities Manager Amy Hall presented a certification of completion for the Tri-County Subdivision Water Project. In accordance with state regulations, a signed applicant certification must be submitted to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality confirming that Operation and Maintenance and Emergency Management Plan requirements have been met and that the system will be operated by a certified operator.

The Board unanimously approved the certification of completion and placed the item on both the Jan. 20, 2026 Consent Agenda and the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer Board agenda.

G. Countywide Water and Sewer Planning Update

General Manager for Natural Resources Amanda Lee provided an update on the Countywide Water and Sewer Plan. As part of an ongoing Water Resources Study, the County is engaging with municipalities and utility providers to evaluate existing infrastructure, future capacity needs, and opportunities for regional collaboration.

Participating entities to date include the towns of Spring Lake, Godwin, Stedman, Wade, Linden, and Falcon, as well as the Eastover Sanitary District.

No action was taken.

H. Consideration of FAMPO Memorandum of Understanding This item was removed by unanimous vote.

I. Master Plan for Crown Complex and Arena Corridor

At the Board’s request, County Manager Clarence Grier presented a proposed timeline to develop a master plan for the area surrounding the Crown Complex and Arena.

The Board directed the County Manager to work with the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) and return with a proposed plan for creating a Crown Complex and Arena Corridor Master Plan.

J. Amendment to Ordinance 9.5-166 This item was added by unanimous vote.

In 2022, the Board adopted an ordinance prohibiting camping or sleeping on County property. During the recent holiday period, when County facilities were closed, instances of camping occurred on County property. The amendment clarifies enforcement authority, allowing the Sheriff’s Office and the City of Fayetteville Police Department to respond when the ordinance is violated.

The Board unanimously approved the ordinance amendment and placed the item on the Jan. 20, 2026 Consent Agenda.

4. OTHER ITEMS

A. Introduction of Employee Wellness Coordinator Added item.

Assistant County Manager Heather Skeens introduced Employee Wellness Coordinator Amelia Labrador, who will oversee programs designed to support and enhance employee wellness across the organization.

5. MONTHLY REPORTS

The Board unanimously accepted the following reports:

A. Finance Report

B. Health Insurance Update

C. Wellpath, LLC Quarterly Statistical Report on Inmate Health Care

D. Grants Update

E. Capital Improvement Projects Report

F. Fee Waiver Report for Flu, COVID and RSV

6. COMMISSIONER REQUESTS

A. Healthy Blue Staff Pay Issues Added item.

Commissioner Glenn Adams requested that Department of Social Services staff provide an update regarding staff pay concerns at a Healthy Blue–affiliated facility that supports foster care services. The update is intended to address the issue and any potential impacts to service delivery. No action was taken.

7. CLOSED SESSION

The Board entered Closed Session to discuss:

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

• Real Property Acquisition Pursuant to NCGS 143-319.11(a)(5)

• Economic Development Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(4)

Following the Closed Session, the Board voted 4-1 to reject all bids relating to the Gray’s Creek Phase 1 Water Distribution Package 1.

The Board adjourned the meeting at 5:49 p.m.

The next Board of Commissioners meeting will be held Jan. 20 at 6:45 p.m. in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.

Board of Commissioners Regular Meetings and Agenda Sessions are livestreamed on the County’s website cumberlandcountync.gov, YouTube Channel and on CCNCTV Spectrum Channel 5. Cumberland County can be found on social media by searching CCNCGov.