FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is summary of the Cumberland County Board of Agenda Session Meeting held at 1 p.m. on Oct. 9, 2025, in Room 564 the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. Agendas and supporting materials are available at www.cumberlandcountync.gov/commissioners.
Commissioner Marshall Faircloth led the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Kirk deViere called for a moment of silence to honor the three E.E. Smith High School students who passed away in a tragic accident on Oct. 8. Commissioner Glenn Adams expressed gratitude to the community for its outpouring of support and extended condolences to the families, school staff, students, and community members affected by the loss.
1. AGENDA
The Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes:
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Removal of Presentation 3C, Update on County Subdivision and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Projects
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Removal of Agenda Item 4I, Proactive, Inc. Contract
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Addition of Other Item 5A, Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices
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Addition of a Closed Session to discuss Real Property Acquisition Pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(5)
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the Aug. and Sept. 2025 Agenda Session meetings.
3. PRESENTATIONS
A. Animal Services Update
Assistant County Manager Faith Phillips presented an update on Animal Services operations, highlighting progress in departmental collaboration, enforcement, fiscal management, and customer service improvements. The update included coordination with departments such as ITS, Human Resources, Grants, Legal, and the Sheriff’s Office.
B. Opioid Settlement Funds Strategic Plan Report
Public Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green presented an update on the County’s strategic plan for managing opioid settlement funds. North Carolina is set to receive more than $50 billion in national settlements, with Cumberland County’s allocation at $31.6 million over 18 years. Dr. Green shared the County’s collaborative planning process and noted that feedback continues through monthly Cumberland-Fayetteville Opioid Response Team meetings.
C. Update on County Subdivision and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Projects
This item was removed by unanimous vote.
D. Strategic Plan Update
Assistant County Manager Faith Phillips provided an update on the County’s Strategic Plan, which was developed during the Jan. 2025 Board retreat and adopted in April. The Board requested ongoing updates and opportunities to communicate progress to the community.
E. Joint 911 Recommendations
Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association President Freddy Johnson presented recommendations for a proposed Joint 911 Operations Center between the City and County. The proposal includes creating a Communications Advisory Board, establishing salary parity, maintaining all existing programs, and implementing new digital dispatch and training systems. A partnership with Alliance Health would embed crisis professionals within the center. The Board voted to accept the report and move forward with scheduling a joint meeting with the City of Fayetteville.
F. Voice Dispatch Project Update
Emergency Services Director Garry Crumpler presented an update on the status of the Voice Dispatch Project, noting that full implementation is anticipated within 8 - 12 months.
4. CONSIDERATION OF AGENDA ITEMS
The Board moved the following items to the Oct. 20, 2025, Consent Agenda unless otherwise noted.
A. Adoption of the Northeast Cumberland Land Use Plan
Planning and Inspections Director Rawls Howard and Comprehensive Planning Manager Trey Smith presented the plan, which covers approximately 33,000 acres and 3,000 residents. The Board voted to hold a public hearing on Oct. 20 before adopting the plan with minor revisions.
B. Lease Termination with Alliance Health for Sally Hill Group Home Facility
Assistant County Manager Heather Skeens and DSS Director Brenda Jackson recommended ending the County’s lease with Alliance Health effective Nov. 30, 2025, and returning operations to the Department of Social Services. Due to DHHS changes, Assistant Manager Skeens and Ms. Jackson recommended:
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The County maintain the home and return operations to the Cumberland County Department of Social Services and have the facility serve as a Level 1 Group Home of Emergency Temporary facility.
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Ending the County’s lease with Alliance Health on Nov. 30, 2025, and authorize the County Manager to send a lease termination letter to Alliance Health.
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Placing the item on the Oct. 20, 2025 Board of Commissioners’ Consent Agenda.
The Board voted to unanimously approve the recommendations.
C. Memorandum of Understanding with Harnett County
General Manager for Natural Resources Amanda Lee presented an MOU with Harnett County to support water and sewer capacity in northern Cumberland County. The Board voted unanimously to approve the MOU.
D. Service Agreement with Smith Gardner, Inc., for FY26 Stormwater Compliance
General Manager for Natural Resources Amanda Lee presented a service agreement with Smith Gardner, Inc. as the best qualified engineering firm to provide solid waste water quality services to assist the County with an initial project to provide professional services to design, permit, and bid new stormwater treatment ponds for the Ann Street Landfill. The Board voted unanimously to approve the agreement, not to exceed $35,000.
E. Service Agreement with Smith Gardner, Inc., for Annual Engineering and Environmental Services
General Manager for Natural Resources Amanda Lee presented a service agreement with Smith Gardner, Inc., to include semi-annual water quality monitoring, monthly industrial wastewater leachate reporting, and various environmental compliances. The Board voted to unanimously approve the agreement, not to exceed $183,000.
F. Separation of the Appointment of Members to the Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority and the Cumberland Finance Corporation
County Attorney Rick Moorefield recommended dissolving the Cumberland County Finance Corporation due to inactivity since 2009 and restrictions on dual board appointments. The Board voted unanimously to revoke appointments and dissolve the corporation, pending confirmation of no outstanding debts.
G. TDA Resolution to Establish Eligibility Requirements for Hotel or Motel Representatives Appointed to the TDA
The Board voted 5 - 1 to approve the TDA’s resolution establishing eligibility requirements for hotel and motel representatives appointed to the TDA.
H. Gillespie Street Lot Survey Results
County Manager Clarence Grier presented results from a public survey regarding future use of the vacant Crown Event Center lot. The survey received 1,376 responses. The Board will review the results at a future meeting.
I. Proactive, Inc., Contract
This item was removed by unanimous vote.
4. OTHER ITEMS
A. Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices
This item was added by unanimous vote.
Chief Financial Officer Robin Koonce presented prior year invoices from Prime Corrections totaling $166,613.32 for FY24 and FY25. The Board voted unanimously to authorize immediate payment.
5. MONTHLY REPORTS
The Board voted unanimously to accept the reports unless otherwise noted:
A. Financial Report
B. Health Insurance Update
C. Grant Report
D. Capital Improvement Project Report
6. CLOSED SESSION
The Board entered Closed Session to discuss:
Following the Closed Session, Vice Chairwoman Veronica Jones moved to direct staff to explore temporary shelter options for unhoused residents and to retain a consultant for a real property assessment. The motion did not carry.
The Board adjourned the meeting at 4:52 p.m.
The next Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting will be Monday, Oct. 20, at 6:45 p.m. The next Agenda Session will be Thursday, Nov. 13, at 1 p.m.
Board of Commissioners regular meetings and agenda sessions are livestreamed through the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov, YouTube Channel and on CCNCTV Spectrum Channel 5. Cumberland County can be found on social media by searching CCNCGov.