[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6671028,"mediaKeyId","2171606-181b9ff66ebc09a10eb915872fa508a2","parentId",2171606,"title","Cumberland County Board approves audit, shelter funding, public safety incentives and changes to boards-and-commissions process","audioSeconds",369,"startMs",2290000,"endMs",2659000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171606-181b9ff66ebc09a10eb915872fa508a2&start=2290&end=2659","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171606-181b9ff66ebc09a10eb915872fa508a2/thumbnail_2290000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671028/Cumberland-County/North-Carolina/Cumberland-County-Board-approves-audit-shelter-funding-public-safety-incentives-and-changes-to-boards-and-commissions-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671028-8d929c0aed50716db5644c1e7ad1d096/orig.mp4?Expires=1776573384&Signature=ZxeuM3bVyu7CdLlm1aBDZ5eYdj16BgSejXtKFDxCpq5DGwP8h9TzEyEarrZHP62x9U6afz~E2Qqjr30k6gRm-LnnEzeEGA-L6VS7LBHjDqFxtebuvT-V95kr03l4ClLV2ooBBXFWAhjAFVcTZJi4C3Fidu-WwsfR50NssVNObzVTi3MLKVN39VIx~F~GwagcZSyNzKcswwKQ7jO-z6N~dMiGedIH793LWpGBRzKaCRPOZfj5CSHrs-Hb3-nAYgbXlifFAlVNiM00xz0J9CfYclt71s5nnbnl89gTgZNQixdoQoNYYTnsonoYA48yE-VR4r1VxM-Xjsq7SL0rAVuahg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cumberland County","date","2025-01-28T05:09:10.03Z","article","The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 27 accepted the county’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 audit, approved emergency shelter funding, authorized recruitment and retention incentives for sheriff’s deputies and detention officers, and changed the boards-and-commissions nomination process to twice-yearly reviews.

The primary votes and formal actions included:

- Audit acceptance: The board accepted the county audit for the year ending June 30, 2024, after a presentation by Cherry Bekaert LLP senior manager Linda Suggs and county finance staff. Suggs reported unmodified (clean) opinions on the financial statements and on federal and state grant compliance; she said the audit identified no material weaknesses and no reportable significant deficiencies. Commissioner Faircloth moved to accept the audit; the motion passed unanimously (7–0).

- White Flag shelter funding: The board authorized a transfer to fund the White Flag shelter program, increasing the original request so both shelter operators would be funded. Staff said the total transfer within county capacity would be $240,000 and associated budget ordinance amendment B25-0005 was approved. Vice Chairwoman Sher Jones moved the transfer; the motion was seconded and approved by the board (7–0).

- Recruitment and retention incentives for sheriff and detention staff (ARP funds): The board approved allocations recommended by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) ad hoc committee: $150,000 to support detention-officer retention and $200,000 for recruitment incentives targeting experienced sheriff’s deputies. The ARP committee approved the allocations and requested board approval of budget ordinance amendment B25-0487. Commissioner Tyson moved approval; the motion passed (7–0). Staff said the sheriff would provide a framework for distribution.

- Boards-and-commissions process change: The board voted to move the nomination and appointment cycle to twice a year (March and November), to create a committee to review applications and make recommendations, and to instruct staff to prepare a matrix and application updates. The committee will review terms and vacancy timing and return recommendations; the motion was made by Commissioner Tyson and passed (7–0).

- Nominations referred to the new boards-and-commissions committee: The board directed a group of pending nominations (for example, the Cape Fear Valley Board of Trustees and civic center commission seats) to the newly created boards-and-commissions committee for further action under the updated policy. One such motion—to refer Cape Fear Valley Board of Trustees nominations—passed with a 6–1 vote (six in favor, one opposed). For other nomination items the board similarly referred appointments to the committee.

- Other routine business: the consent agenda passed as printed; the board recessed to convene the Grays Creek Water and Sewer District governing board for a mirror vote on the Grays Creek infrastructure item; the district board approved the same option 1 action. The board later went into closed session under North Carolina statutes cited on the record and reported no action thereafter.

Speakers and presenters referenced during these items included Linda Suggs and Robin Coontz from Cherry Bekaert LLP and the county finance office (audit), Ty Vault/Chief of Staff and Tom (White Flag presentation), Mr. Vaughn (presenting White Flag/ARP items on staff’s behalf), County Manager Grier, and multiple commissioners who moved and seconded motions.

Why it matters: The audit acceptance affirms the county’s fiscal reporting and grant compliance for the year; the shelter funding expands short-term capacity for cold-weather sheltering; the ARP allocations target county public-safety staffing challenges; and the boards-and-commissions changes alter how citizen appointments will be processed going forward.

Motion and outcomes: Each listed motion was adopted as stated in the minutes. The audit, White Flag transfer and ARP funding were approved unanimously (7–0). The referral of Cape Fear Valley Board of Trustees nominations to the boards-and-commissions committee carried 6–1. The board also approved the Grays Creek stopgap measure separately as the Grays Creek Water and Sewer District governing board.

The board adjourned after a closed-session meeting in which no action was taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting January 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Jan. 27 meeting the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners accepted the fiscal year 2024 audit, authorized $240,000 for the White Flag shelter program, approved ARP recruitment and retention incentives for sheriff and detention staff, and moved to a twice-yearly boards-and-commissions appointment cycle.","taxTitle","Cumberland County, North Carolina","taxId",3861,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671035,"Cumberland County approves point-of-use water treatment for Grays Creek and Alderman elementary schools",209,2312000,2521000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171606-181b9ff66ebc09a10eb915872fa508a2&start=2312&end=2521","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171606-181b9ff66ebc09a10eb915872fa508a2/thumbnail_2312000.jpg","/articles/6671035/Cumberland-County/North-Carolina/Cumberland-County-approves-point-of-use-water-treatment-for-Grays-Creek-and-Alderman-elementary-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671035-eefc10d85a543624d7ef37a9c85fbc15/orig.mp4?Expires=1776573384&Signature=EwIKfZNIgrorPUVdTPiBUDUjIhjXxHeWhgdNERtugRPGAJQbdEYCzJTZ8HFL2fdW2AdeFyeQ2uPU7AT2n1cZ-mTDBdLDfwmTDj76F6ytj9QL6fZCzzH2ckIhLsrx-zLxwMdGjE0S02qaVLWKsZQ0pBdeduTEiEeXbjn2Dl3OXvhf1DV-PNYmh5FmtjzADqHqeSGV0q1poE3i9SFUNDUTLLM~36SelsiWDSjoSFn7qFhcm-RmfN8BC7J1tDJcQyJkIJbCjfJli-FRhjSp7jdXVEorEUYbaANtl6eB6MXoHcS7Kc6uRARvnBxTywDOpIpGcg0SQPTDQ30bhXZPViaSkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cumberland County commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 27 to install point-of-use reverse-osmosis drinking-water systems at Grays Creek and Alderman Road elementary schools and to continue evaluating longer-term fixes.

The board approved the infrastructure committee’s recommendation to proceed with an immediate “option 1” installation of reverse-osmosis (RO) systems at fixtures in both schools, saying the systems could be installed within about four months. Commissioners also directed staff to investigate option 2 (a point-of-entry granular activated carbon system) and option 3 (replacement deep wells) and return with further actions and cost information.

Why it matters: commissioners said the measure provides an urgently needed, interim way to supply safe drinking water while the county and school officials pursue more permanent solutions. Commissioner Tyson, a member of the infrastructure committee, said the action is intended to prevent students from relying on bottled water and to ensure school drinking water meets standards.

County staff presented three cost-and-schedule options after the infrastructure committee reviewed earlier analyses from the Jan. 14 meeting. Staff recommended option 1 because it is faster to deploy: point-of-use RO units can be installed at plumbing fixtures in two to four months. Staff said options 2 and 3 would require additional study and a longer procurement and construction timeline—roughly seven months to a year to complete both the point-of-entry and deep-well alternatives.

Amanda Lee, identified in the presentation as the county’s general manager for natural resources, outlined the three options and told commissioners the infrastructure committee recommended moving forward with the RO systems now and studying point-of-entry and well replacement in parallel. County Manager Grier (as listed in the meeting record) said the county would seek summer installation windows to minimize disruption.

Commissioners asked whether the county or the school system would own and maintain the units after installation. Staff said the county would install the equipment but the school system would assume ongoing operation and routine maintenance as part of its regular annual budget and facilities responsibilities. The board also noted continuing coordination with PwC under a previously signed agreement and that additional MOU-related actions may come in the next two to three months.

Motion and outcome: Commissioner Patel moved to approve option 1 (install point-of-use RO systems at Grays Creek and Alderman Road elementary schools) and to direct staff to investigate options 2 and 3; the motion was properly seconded and passed unanimously (7–0).

What’s next: staff will schedule installations (staff estimated a two- to four-month timeframe for the RO systems) and continue technical and cost analyses for the point-of-entry and deep-well options. The infrastructure committee will return with further recommendations and cost estimates for board consideration.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article include county staff and commissioners who presented or asked questions during the agenda item.","The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 27 to install point-of-use reverse-osmosis systems at Grays Creek and Alderman Road elementary schools as a short-term fix and directed staff to study longer-term options including point-of-entry treatment and replacement wells.","actionData","errors"]

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Cumberland County Board approves audit, shelter funding, public safety incentives and changes to boards-and-commissions process

Cumberland County approves point-of-use water treatment for Grays Creek and Alderman elementary schools