[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6572425,"mediaKeyId","3076715-aba5d08dfb468ab367b559a7fa134810","parentId",3076715,"title","Commissioners approve routine budget, tax actions and accept utility easements","audioSeconds",8803,"startMs",7520,"endMs",8810811,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076715-aba5d08dfb468ab367b559a7fa134810&start=7&end=8810","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076715-aba5d08dfb468ab367b559a7fa134810/thumbnail_7520.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6572425/Harnett-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-routine-budget-tax-actions-and-accept-utility-easements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572425-e36022b6f51a70ad88831cf1a3c3d216/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168830&Signature=FjX91qffhslZUYM1hQUgrePIeQGxAnFweJSwno6sGJcRO67jOe-6mrG6PfsocFpN3TMgOOZC151LRrMOEbneIJK4rxvbtx4OUeJQV4PzRauMAN-ueugaO4xXfrQ9cXL~ZhiOmQdjssnTCMvMC8isKX~fzojlSMI8ApXJGHZpc4XuhUoINbs8jBrVWv8t3IrYXB6jqw5lPsygn0mLYGPsV4m2wd6XDbncAQCanzcmNi42YyV-CtXTXZQ4HoPSxFXOoBIUnMgIlFoKts53hjlYemtCujFf8mOFfoIqiXhDTPYS3-iNdfyGxSc3t3XApupl8UjavU8qMuK34ei2GW8rLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harnett County, NC","date","2025-04-22T06:31:23.367Z","article","During its regular session commissioners approved several routine administrative and financial items and accepted developer-dedicated utility easements for the Northwest Water and Sewer District.

Key approvals
- Consent agenda: Commissioners approved the consent agenda by voice vote at the outset of the meeting.
- Budget amendments: The board approved budget amendments as requested by the finance officer; the motion passed by voice vote.
- Tax rebates, releases and refunds: The board approved the requested tax adjustments after a motion and second.
- Assignment and dedication of utility easements: Acting as the Northwest Water and Sewer District governing body, commissioners accepted developer-dedicated infrastructure and easements for transfer to the district. The board recorded unanimous approval.

Why it matters: These actions are standard administrative business that keep county finance, property tax administration and utilities land records current and enable the county to accept public infrastructure conveyed by developers.

Votes and next steps
All four items were approved by voice vote; the clerk recorded the motions as carried. County staff will proceed with the financial processing and recordation of the easement deeds and will incorporate the accepted infrastructure into district maintenance and asset inventories.

Ending: The meeting then moved on to other public hearings and capital-project items; the board subsequently recessed and reconvened as needed for related district business.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting 04/21/25","oneSentenceSummary","Harnett County commissioners approved routine financial items including budget amendments, tax rebates/releases/refunds and accepted assignment and dedication of utility easements to the Northwest Water and Sewer District; the consent agenda was adopted at the start of the meeting.","taxTitle","Harnett County, North Carolina","taxId",13715,"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},6572429,"Commissioners approve budget amendment and change order for North Harnett wastewater plant upgrade",144,8578805,8723535,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076715-aba5d08dfb468ab367b559a7fa134810&start=8578&end=8723","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076715-aba5d08dfb468ab367b559a7fa134810/thumbnail_8578805.jpg","/articles/6572429/Harnett-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-approve-budget-amendment-and-change-order-for-North-Harnett-wastewater-plant-upgrade","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572429-7fc13445d0d4696d270860bef1fd3300/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168830&Signature=anJ7K7AVVwkMXeu-06~DJzPW-c3~O4ASLrZXSskP-mmkeWxCa5REhGmW8K46OCDrCCuoj4W1Oelg4btq2uG9TCqi2VeqnSyQJtTUnsST--gCWH41MnJ9uurlHMfMfdT67UaxFftOrBKyGCQojrnc6CCzi0cMvOJsocGNEG1P3YrJjYE-qU8Xlgk9UZ0hfG9qEURJXbmtTW9XPTc145vAV6U08ZZSsf-RsPxjm6X6-d5a6UDmFqab2bezHhUINUPnUbrBIpwJXHsheMBlXb33DW4HlGNPb4kSfv6trGwg5gH~EqhmO3p5xD-~IAKA7uuQtbycXP~2kZlC7~XmRbVAXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harnett County commissioners approved an amendment to the project ordinance for the North Harnett wastewater treatment plant upgrade and granted a contract change order to address equipment and electrical needs discovered during construction.

County staff told the board the project will add roughly 9 million gallons per day (MGD) of capacity at the North Harnett plant and that construction bids set the total project cost at just over $111 million. The board also approved Change Order No. 3, a $660,354 work directive to increase blower capacity required to meet discharge-permit oxygenation needs and to fund associated electrical-efficiency upgrades. County staff indicated contingency funds are available to cover the change order.

Why it matters: The upgrade is one of the county's largest capital wastewater projects and is intended to expand treatment capacity to meet growth and regulatory demands. The additional blower and electrical work are intended to ensure the upgraded plant meets permit conditions.

Details and votes
- Project amendment: Staff described the amendment as reflecting updated design and construction costs; the project remains in active construction. The board approved the amendment by voice vote; the clerk recorded the motion as carried.
- Change Order No. 3: Work change directive 1 increases blower output to deliver the diffused air required for permit compliance; work change directive 2 funds electrical-efficiency upgrades tied to the blower increase. The board approved the $660,354 change order; staff said contingency funds are available to cover the expense.

Implementation and next steps
County staff will continue construction under the revised project ordinance and report back on budget and schedule milestones. The board treated the item as a capital project amendment and executed the change order during the meeting.

Ending: The plant upgrade remains in active construction with updated costs and approved equipment changes intended to ensure compliance with the county's discharge permit.","Harnett County commissioners approved an amendment to the project ordinance for the North Harnett wastewater treatment plant upgrade, reflecting updated bids that put total project costs above $111 million, and approved Change Order No. 3 for $660,354 to increase blower capacity and related electrical upgrades.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6572434,"Commissioners hear Harnett Horizons 2040 presentation; adoption postponed to include absent commissioner",2753,5730585,8484165,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076715-aba5d08dfb468ab367b559a7fa134810&start=5730&end=8484","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076715-aba5d08dfb468ab367b559a7fa134810/thumbnail_5730585.jpg","/articles/6572434/Harnett-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-hear-Harnett-Horizons-2040-presentation-adoption-postponed-to-include-absent-commissioner","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572434-dbe3b1bb27b4a70d52e391537f1af469/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168830&Signature=OCGurdjUHAsjOT6zbzuSCV0PyYTXLQXit2C4GUl58iHw2n6hbl3dtFPJGoDlG4fRH1hABpiXJAiyFKXLuNcTpFkATtIJ8b-p-hjh-fwxBZCLTZzn2uhVz8f7yQW-BNuFTTB3WqVw~NIlLgxlXXqMLMZjyF801uegqYrmGsZxbVRujGioamfaaF1VwFOCvv59EQBkFcWC0dA-ngVnsQ2C~fW8tfzUdRLXBT1fSMqj8AMY385FzzylJt-wHO1~YILFG1rdKnkgg8SAwcozWnIWYuEnjwOBIFXdVKwZUlyGKyzjIbe6hJvMBZOk~L4Yf046239-oTAae0PhHmK5WkTDmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harnett County commissioners heard a final presentation of the Harnett Horizons 2040 comprehensive development plan and agreed to delay a vote until the next meeting so an absent commissioner can participate.

Stewart Engineering consultant Jake Petrowski and county planning staff summarized the plan's major recommendations: updated future land-use maps, agricultural-protection overlays, new \"village district\" design guidance (including Buies Creek as a conceptual village), a Jetport overlay to protect airport-adjacent employment areas, transportation priorities and strategies to address housing affordability. Petrowski told the board the plan is intended to guide rezonings, infrastructure decisions and future zoning code updates: \"It is a comprehensive plan that provides guidance on growth and development over the coming years,\" he said.

Why it matters: the county is experiencing rapid growth and the plan proposes tools to balance development with farmland preservation, expand local commercial options, and shape transportation and housing outcomes.

Public input and key recommendations
Planning staff said the draft drew roughly 1,800 survey responses and more than a year of public engagement. The plan recommends: an agricultural protection overlay to reduce conflicts with working farms; incentives and design options to address housing affordability; creation of village districts to concentrate mixed uses and limit low-density sprawl; and conditional zoning as a tool to secure public improvements tied to large developments.

Speakers at the public hearing praised the plan and suggested amendments. Richard Chapman urged the county to add a dedicated chapter on the Cape Fear River and proposed creation of a volunteer Cape Fear River Health and Use Council to coordinate river-related recreation, tourism and water-quality work. \"The Cape Fear River is the biggest distinctive distinction and geographical fact in Harnett County,\" Chapman said. Lynn Marshbanks raised questions about tree preservation and potential displacement in the conceptual Buies Creek village-design guidance, saying she wanted to \"preserve as much of that as possible.\" Other speakers commended staff for outreach and urged the board to align implementation steps with infrastructure and school capacity planning.

Board action
After discussion the commissioners voted to postpone adoption until the next scheduled meeting or work session so Commissioner Jaggers could participate; the motion carried unanimously.

Ending: Staff will bring the plan back for adoption or further amendment at the next meeting. Commissioners and staff noted the plan is intended to be a living document and recommended periodic updates as growth continues.","Staff and consultants presented the Harnett Horizons 2040 comprehensive development plan. After public comment and discussion, commissioners agreed to postpone a final adoption vote until a full board can participate.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6572438,"Harnett County defers decision on removing fluoride after hours of public comment",4430,416785,4847430,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076715-aba5d08dfb468ab367b559a7fa134810&start=416&end=4847","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076715-aba5d08dfb468ab367b559a7fa134810/thumbnail_416785.jpg","/articles/6572438/Harnett-County/North-Carolina/Harnett-County-defers-decision-on-removing-fluoride-after-hours-of-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572438-8d8e178bf3aa8e5020d67df640f62e21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168830&Signature=fyUZDB2nMJYQt1iLcCsnmytbtjQ~OuD6k1tjF3HfjoiJl8cnO3E~UGYvmch37Itq8Z75Z2tK9XT9-ww~ewkaXYUXq6SMeTOEFuIIWJ0v20ISwiaYA4BKsoDQPU~LkHgeybKBewev1TpW4SNQEol15VAR~sMnHGTXNHFqi3wJjCbaDklgc5PRLW2vktWiW7Q8J9EziEmY0zPAMsr16X8oLBbyuBZf1lfg5z4rqityhsmwswEGKyfU9vSWPDjKKskCkwFOlt3O8JL~Frkmg5-0vP-ZixVWddpNf00fQb1t8D~s2q33~cW7SQk1ch4Qmy7XpKqV06nSl1GK5EB21iDf9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harnett County commissioners deferred a final vote on whether to remove fluoride from the county's drinking water after a night of testimony from municipal leaders, dentists, doctors and dozens of residents.

The postponement keeps the county's current fluoridation practice in place while the Harnett County Board of Health reviews the issue. Holly Springs Mayor Sean Mayewski and Jim Seymour, assistant town manager for Fuquay-Varina, asked the commissioners to delay any change so municipal officials, their residents and Harnett County public-health staff can review the data and consider regional impacts. \"We respectfully request deferral of any potential action to remove fluoride until our governing body, residents, our professional staff, and the Harnett County Board of Health can also provide review and provide input,\" Mayewski said.

Supporters of continued fluoridation — including retired and practicing dentists, pediatricians and county health officials — told the board that community water fluoridation has long, peer-reviewed evidence of benefit and disproportionately helps children and low-income residents who have limited access to dental care. Retired dentist Dr. Catherine Evans said community water fluoridation has been used safely for decades: \"Community water fluoridation is no new or experimental idea. The scientific studies prove it's been used safely over 75 years,\" she said.

Why it matters: county water is a regional supply that serves municipal customers and interconnected systems. Several speakers warned that a unilateral change by Harnett County could cause confusion for neighboring towns that purchase bulk water and are part of an interconnected regional system.

What speakers said
- Sean Mayewski, mayor of Holly Springs (local government): Asked commissioners to delay action and asked to see any scientific data the county intends to use to support removal.
- Jim Seymour, assistant town manager, Fuquay-Varina (local government): Asked the county to include municipal governing bodies and public-health staff in any review before a policy change.
- Dr. Catherine Evans (retired dentist): Cited the U.S. Public Health Service's recommended fluoridation level of 0.7 mg/L and said fluoridation can reduce tooth decay roughly 25 percent.
- Dr. Laurie Langdon (pediatrician, vice chair, Harnett County Board of Health): Urged commissioners to \"put some stock\" in the Board of Health's forthcoming recommendation and highlighted the benefits for foster and marginalized children who often lack regular dental care.
- Dr. John Briggs (retired family physician; Harnett County Health Department medical director): Cited cost-benefit estimates, saying fluoridation yields substantial savings and greater access to preventive dental care in underserved areas.
- Several dentists (Eldon Sloan, Don Sloan) described clinical experience seeing less progressive decay in children from fluoridated areas compared with non-fluoridated areas.
- A smaller set of speakers challenged fluoridation as a systemic intervention and suggested point-of-use filtration or topical alternatives. One commenter noted concerns about the chemicals used in treatment processes and asked staff to publish safety data sheets for treatment chemicals.

Evidence cited and requests for review
Speakers referenced national public-health endorsements (CDC, American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics) and the U.S. Public Health Service recommendation of 0.7 mg/L. Several health professionals urged commissioners to rely on the Harnett County Board of Health's expertise and on peer-reviewed studies before altering county policy. A municipal representative noted the county's regional customers and warned about operational impacts to interconnected systems.

Next steps and outcome
Commissioners agreed to defer final action until after the Harnett County Board of Health meets and produces its recommendation. The board did not adopt any ordinance or regulation at the meeting; a final decision will return to the commissioners after the Board of Health's review.

Ending: The county's water remains fluoridated while health officials and municipal leaders review data. The record shows extensive professional testimony both for continuing fluoridation and from a minority raising alternative approaches; commissioners said they will await the Board of Health's recommendation before voting.","Harnett County commissioners postponed a final vote on whether to remove fluoride from the county drinking water after elected officials and dozens of health professionals and residents urged more review. Commissioners said they would await the Harnett County Board of Health review before taking final action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve routine budget, tax actions and accept utility easements

Commissioners approve budget amendment and change order for North Harnett wastewater plant upgrade

Commissioners hear Harnett Horizons 2040 presentation; adoption postponed to include absent commissioner

Harnett County defers decision on removing fluoride after hours of public comment