FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                        Oct. 22, 2024
Diane B. Rice, Communications Director
Email: dbrice@cumberlandcountync.gov
Telephone: 910-438-4025
 
Cumberland County Commissioners Regular Meeting Wrap-Up
 
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Oct. 21, 2024, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, which was held at 6.45 p.m. in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. To view the agenda and supporting materials for this meeting, go to www.cumberlandcountync.gov/bocmeetingmaterials.
 
Commissioner Veronica Jones led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
 
The Board recognized and thanked Connie Owensby who retired from the County on May 31, 2024, after more than 31 years of service with the Department of Public Health.
 
The Board recognized and thanked Ida Johnson who retired from the County on May 31, 2024, after 20 years of service with the Department of Social Services.
 
Commissioners recognized Miss Fayetteville Teen, Jenna Grace Nance, and Miss Fayetteville, Janae Johnson. Nance attends Gray’s Creek High School and her community service initiative is “Freedom to be Kind,” which encourages people to make the choice of being kind every day. Johnson is a sophomore at Fayetteville Technical Community College and her community service initiative is “Power of Voice,” which helps young women discover the power their voices hold, not only in speaking with others but in what they say to themselves.
 
The Board recognized Dr. Antonio Jones and his wife, Dr. Amichia Jones, of Jones Ministries International for their continued support of the County and community through various volunteer initiatives.
 
The Board welcomed representatives from the Cumberland Community Foundation who presented two grants to the Cumberland County Public Library. A $44,680 grant was awarded to fund the newly opened Sensory Room. Faith Phillips, Library Director and Assistant County Manager, invited the public to visit the Sensory Room at the Headquarters Library, located at 300 Maiden Lane. The room is designed to provide a retreat from the daily hustle and bustle. It features calming projections, fiber optic lights, a captivating bubble tube surrounded by mirrors, and ocean-themed elements, creating a multi-sensory experience that encourages relaxation and rejuvenation. The room is now open for public reservations. A second Sensory Room will open soon at West Regional Library, located at 7469 Century Circle. The Library also received a $13,500 grant to fund the Girls Code program. Visit cumberlandcountync.gov/library to learn more. Visit cumberlandcf.org to learn more about the Cumberland County Foundation.
 
A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD was held.
The Board unanimously approved the following items as part of the CONSENT AGENDA, unless otherwise noted below.

1. Approval of Sole Source for Replacement Components of Coiling Thermiser Doors at the Vehicle Sallyport for the Detention Center
2. Approval of the Cumberland County Official America 250 NC Committee
3. Approval of Sole Source Upgrade of Pneumatic Controls at the Detention Center
4. Approval to Pay Prior Year Invoices
5. Approve Resolution to Accept ARPA Funding from State Fiscal Recovery Fund
6. Approval of Budget Ordinance Amendments for the October 21, 2024 Board of Commissioners' Agenda
7. Approval of Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Agenda Session Items
1. One-Time Stipend for Employees
2. Radio Tower Lease Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Forest Services
3. Service Agreement with Smith Gardner, Inc. for Leachate Management Services
4. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Asset Management and Financial Plan for NORCRESS
5. Intent to Lease Real Property at 1066 Wade-Stedman Road for a Solid Waste Container Site
6. Resolution Authorizing Conveyance of Electronic Surplus Property to a Nonprofit Organization
7. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) Annual Recertification Progress Report

1. Public Hearing on the Proposed Schedules, Standards, Rules and Timeline for the 2025 Property Tax Revaluation Process: On Oct. 7, Tax Administrator Joe Utley submitted the proposed Schedules, Standards and Results for the 2025 Property Tax Revaluation to the Board of Commissioners for review as required by N.C. General Statute 105-317(b)(1). The proposed schedules, standards and rules are available for inspection in the Cumberland County Tax Office in Room 570 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse at 117 Dick Street, Fayetteville, and a public hearing is required prior to the Board being asked to adopt the schedules, standards and rules at their Nov. 4 meeting. Following adoption, the public may submit written appeals to the N.C. Property Tax Commission by Dec. 5, 2024. New property values take effect Jan. 1, 2025, and revaluation notices will be mailed in January. For more information, taxpayers may call the Tax Office Customer Service Line at 910-678-7507 or visit cumberlandcountync.gov/tax.

2. CASE # ZON-24-0029: This case was removed from the agenda at the request of the applicant.
3. CASE # ZON-24-0033: Rezoning from A1 Agricultural District to R40A Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for one parcel comprising 2.00 +/- acres; located at 2388 Smith Road, submitted by Donna and Ebbie Quick (Owner). The Board voted unanimously to approve the rezoning request.
4. CASE # ZON-24-0030: Rezoning from A1 Agricultural District to RR Rural Residential District or to a more restrictive zoning district for one parcel comprising 77.22 +/- acres; located east of Sherrill Baggett Road, south of Interstate-95, north of Bend of River Road, submitted by Seth Thompson (Applicant) and Weeks Farm Inc (Owner). The Board voted unanimously to deny the rezoning request.

1. Approval of Request to Call a Public Hearing on November 4, 2024 for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program: The Sheriff's Office is eligible to apply for funding through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program through the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ). As part of USDOJ requirements, the public must be offered the opportunity to comment. The Sheriff's Office requested the Board of Commissioners schedule a public hearing on the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program application at the Nov. 4,2024 Regular Meeting. Learn more by visiting ccsonc.org.
2. Ordinance Regulating Vaping on County Property: A proposed ordinance to prohibit vaping in county buildings and on county property, except those facilities which are under the operational control of the Civic Center Commission and the Fayetteville Cumberland Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, was presented during the Oct. 10, 2024 Agenda Session. The Civic Center Commission requested that the vaping ordinance give it the authority to regulate vaping on the facilities for which it has responsibility, as was done previously in the smoking ordinance.
3. Civil Action 22CCVS3652: The Board unanimously approved the acceptance of the settlement.

1. Approve Resolution to Accept ARPA Funding from State Fiscal Recovery Fund

1. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Asset Management and Financial Plan for NORCRESS