[{"_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",6576229,"mediaKeyId","3147193-edbe2424fad94b37f48164ea32b46448","parentId",3147193,"title","Harnett County Schools request nearly $40 million in operating increases and $193 million in short‑term capital needs for 2025–26","audioSeconds",1407,"startMs",7816000,"endMs",9223000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3147193-edbe2424fad94b37f48164ea32b46448&start=7816&end=9223","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3147193-edbe2424fad94b37f48164ea32b46448/thumbnail_7816000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6576229/Harnett-County/North-Carolina/Harnett-County-Schools-request-nearly-40-million-in-operating-increases-and-193-million-in-shortterm-capital-needs-for-202526","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576229-fe44629ac74477c9e7ce38a55d426680/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158295&Signature=BfOSkUMdoN3G6Ts-0Heuoqoz8ayKm2Zu1yHlF9dJ6e0S5ENVcQDDW1OwoOR1FH4TGtzrugq8CN7LMWhRKJ2ubLjZYBfGncthw4sDNrgBDFBcI3kUSFMuCYBUQObByeOAEw~ZlygY2lT3PoRRbYpsnKphcKPi7oVvqh663MKqUvxEb~HFzir7w99bY7l0-u7P~2Nd4VjGFAgu4Asvyfrc6AzXIyP9CqrLTe8cET-fHHJnHU5agCyrXW0rTltBgFsuQ3muet9BD9d8kgR19FcxqA2eJeOZz5jWqERh7XAlKta9bDQn4myojL~Dz7uWSbQfnorMuyOXo0Ax8BeHOQN-KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harnett County, NC","date","2025-04-29T15:27:06.373Z","article","HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — During a joint session with the Harnett County Board of Education, district finance staff presented the local funding request for the 2025–26 school year, seeking a combined increase in operating and capital funding.

Andrew Cox, assistant superintendent for finance for Harnett County Schools, reviewed the school system’s funding request. He told the board the district is asking for $39,995,293 in current‑expense expansion for 2025–26. The request includes measures designed to increase local teacher supplements (a requested shift from a flat‑rate, four‑tier supplement to a flat 12% supplement for certified teachers), additional classified salary increases (continuing steps toward the Pontifex salary study recommendation), four additional curriculum specialists targeted to low‑performing schools, and an additional request to increase coaching supplements by 10% (a followup to last year’s increase).

On capital needs, Cox described the district’s “tier 1” short‑term facility needs at $191,748,352 and detailed a broader immediate capital request totaling $193,056,710. Short‑term projects cited included a proposed $15,000,000 school transportation facility, planning for a Highland High School project, a potential $30,000,000 partnership project with Central Carolina Community College for an early‑college/CTE high school, a $10,000,000 auxiliary gym for Triton High School and a $35,000,000 replacement of Buies Creek Elementary. The district also listed longer‑term needs such as new elementary and middle schools in growth areas and renovations at existing campuses.

Cox reviewed how county appropriations for the previous year were used: commissioners provided $30,804,606 for operations, $1,400,000 for capital improvements and $1,021,528 for additional capital outlay; about $2.5 million of that increase funded teacher and classified supplements and required charter school passthrough payments. He also noted the district faces a loss of about $5.7 million in state low‑wealth funding and said the county previously indicated it would fill any gap if the General Assembly did not restore the funding.

Board of Education members present urged the commissioners to consider the requested increases, saying the funds are needed to retain and recruit teachers, raise classified pay toward market recommendations, and address urgent facility needs. Commissioners thanked the school leaders for the presentation and said they value the working relationship; the Board of Commissioners did not take final action on the request at the meeting and will consider it during the county’s budget process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Work Session 4/29/25","oneSentenceSummary","Harnett County Schools presented a 2025‑26 local funding request that includes $39,995,293 in current‑expense expansion and $193,056,710 in immediate capital needs, including requests to increase local teacher supplements and classified salaries.","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},6576232,"Harnett County staff recommend CMAR procurement for new animal adoption center",377,1921000,2298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3147193-edbe2424fad94b37f48164ea32b46448&start=1921&end=2298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3147193-edbe2424fad94b37f48164ea32b46448/thumbnail_1921000.jpg","/articles/6576232/Harnett-County/North-Carolina/Harnett-County-staff-recommend-CMAR-procurement-for-new-animal-adoption-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576232-153cc8d63d5465631ec46c622fca49e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158295&Signature=RnOlOhAIl6PNXYru3VfUmc3Rl9pn62PqLI0jr6EieKkjieJh15wobwR25SxmEnal0RNFlnbHMI-cDDUJANk6TOFNx66jjv2h7nhY5A~BdzctBgrqs0gmBqf7hQx1QwHUc0m23avotIDM9sTuXMnhTI~6Usq4UlyCqthEYcESC62hWS5J036VbshWdkOE1P6zVZmgHk0wzi5UoeL8Vx2hKOxOruOXjfd1wahoOlIkAOOIGm4I-ZRiX5ZFGrajbOC5kvpbepnB0Z2hRYl9dFZhqertOjpI6DoXIjnLW5yHRr6FS5Zg~0rbkoY0KlngneD6LYPk3sGPfa4KO987pxuaUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — County staff said Harnett County has closed on land for a new animal adoption center and recommended the board use a construction manager‑at‑risk (CMAR) procurement method when advertising a request for qualifications (RFQ) for design and construction.

During the meeting, a county staff member identified in the record as Mr. Blevins told commissioners the county closed on the site last month and is ready to move forward with hiring an architect and contracting for construction. Staff described the overall project as complex (plumbing and specialized systems) and said CMAR would allow the county to select an architect for design work and then partner with a construction manager during design to help manage cost and schedule risk. Staff said CMAR has been widely used in local school projects and could speed delivery compared with traditional design‑bid‑build.

Staff estimated the project cost at about $10 million and asked direction from the board on procurement and whether to advertise the RFQ using CMAR language. Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives such as design‑build; no commissioners voiced opposition to using CMAR. A commissioner said staff should proceed with the same process used by the school system; staff indicated they would place the CMAR recommendation on the consent agenda for the board’s next meeting.","County staff reported closing on land for a planned animal adoption center and recommended using the construction manager‑at‑risk (CMAR) procurement method when advertising the RFQ for design and construction.",{"_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},6576233,"Harnett Regional Water outlines multiyear capital plan; commissioners table fluoridation decision",827,1092000,1919000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3147193-edbe2424fad94b37f48164ea32b46448&start=1092&end=1919","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3147193-edbe2424fad94b37f48164ea32b46448/thumbnail_1092000.jpg","/articles/6576233/Harnett-County/North-Carolina/Harnett-Regional-Water-outlines-multiyear-capital-plan-commissioners-table-fluoridation-decision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576233-e2762504903167ac67793c3a307cf54a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158295&Signature=ECuEH9mS0o9IlQ9am7j3m1eLftmVkLIIAJrLnmilX2rOjQilqZphmDXPnJBTOB~TIn2EAbFPEFOcxEpjLOvLZ10m93iFR9XC7cYD3wafw5~kgOGCeYm6FbU9YGb55upMUiLZldOXh6Jx08dDzxII~NP6hxojbnNnC6s56UZP3J8P0eG5wG-yazB-3NafiwQixmQf8upTlRb5jv4nwZrwAXFHyIFEo0WW-UT0MWDUjyuJz4dDC75DRuXwqy1kZ5pgnrZzlriEwXm~3KWJhQtVB2Kbpjh3FJK02AxaVVGFu7~OUsl4eDo4eQkw680SN~1GmrC8Rn5HIyBh-oGAeM48ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — Harnett Regional Water presented a 10‑year capital improvement plan and an update on system development fees and tap fees, detailing near‑term projects and potential costs from PFAS treatment needs. Separately, the Board of Commissioners voted to table indefinitely a decision on fluoridation of county water.

Tommy Burns of Harnett Regional Water told the board the utility’s capital improvement plan (CIP) shows roughly $149 million in capital projects in the 2025–26 planning column, including an ongoing North Harnett wastewater treatment plant upgrade (reported construction cost of $111,376,000) and several distribution and force-main projects. Burns said other near-term items include a planned Wake County distribution upgrade (estimated at $22,650,000) and a Southwest wastewater pump station (the Highway 87/force main project) estimated at $11,500,000 that is awaiting federal easements.

Burns outlined a potential larger project for 2027–28: a proposed Northeast Harnett regional water treatment plant with an estimated cost of $120 million. His revenue assumptions for that scenario included $30 million in revenue bonds, $30 million in state revolving loans and $40 million from regional partner participation; the plan included proposed rate changes in the 2027–28 column (a $24 minimum residential charge and $6 per 1,000 gallons above minimum; some bulk rates increasing to $3.15–$3.50).

On PFAS, Burns told commissioners Harnett Regional has a PFAS pilot study at the wastewater plant and that treatment requirements could require upgrades estimated on the low end at $80 million and up to $120 million depending on treatment technology (granular activated carbon or ion exchange). When asked about the current PFAS levels, Burns said the utility’s mandate will be to treat to a 4 parts-per-trillion maximum contaminant level and noted federal and state funding sources were not yet committed for PFAS-specific projects; Burns said the utility plans to apply for grants where feasible.

On system development fees (SDFs) and tap fees, Burns reviewed the statutory framework the board referenced (House Bill 436, which authorizes counties to impose SDFs) and described the 2023 financial analysis done by Willdan. Burns said Willdan recommended a maximum SDF of $38.50 for water and $43.50 for sewer; the transcript indicates the board adopted lower fees at that time but the meeting record did not clearly capture the adopted numeric values. Burns said the county used the buy‑in method to set fees and that Willdan is available to update the analysis more frequently than every five years if the board wishes.

During a separate agenda item, a commissioner moved to table indefinitely discussion of fluoridating county water \"until we have a chance to look at it,\" and another commissioner seconded. The motion passed on voice vote; commissioners said they want more information and additional review from public‑health staff before making a policy decision.

No rate ordinances or fee changes were adopted at the meeting; Burns said the CIP will be included in the county budget documents and that the CIP is scheduled for adoption as part of the June budget process.","Harnett Regional Water presented a 10-year capital improvement plan with near-term projects totaling about $149 million and long-term items including a potential $120 million treatment plant. Commissioners voted to table a separate agenda item on fluoridating county water.",{"_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},6576234,"Harnett County commissioners deny rezoning request for property near NC 87",232,702000,934000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3147193-edbe2424fad94b37f48164ea32b46448&start=702&end=934","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3147193-edbe2424fad94b37f48164ea32b46448/thumbnail_702000.jpg","/articles/6576234/Harnett-County/North-Carolina/Harnett-County-commissioners-deny-rezoning-request-for-property-near-NC-87","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576234-37985ebf45e4bb39547defe30083bafd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158295&Signature=fa6N522~IjMilWoP35Hl7RHqbAnrdetkR5uWkLI7dXcJqoemMLdHzzAdMFGQKxj8gVh3uIvTV3tI3cL3SGHNqX916lBf-mqH8-idfRfiGBIRrcb2DjbZpV6O37k7OLuCWNkl8U~XdifSSaUxOtQbJE1tGCF-wMVbpDguEas3998eszfcBfePp~dU7YQMecLBG0FgDq34ZpOpgiXW6TBCjy1IK-ExGHYFUfCvQcfc3gZlqYz2d9wSYqaMPcZros1x6xueKd3v6VnSqSMiHWw61IuWkjH8CcILbg-az13FPnIQUU0b3Mof9TwYJqMAPH-KP5pbhEISSprTRtxEmMTj9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — The Harnett County Board of Commissioners voted to deny a rezoning request for a roughly 1.1-acre property near NC 87 and Seaboard Rosser Road, rejecting staff and the planning board’s recommendation.

Sarah Arbor of Harnett County Development Services told commissioners the applicant, identified in the record as Chan Ho, sought to rezone the parcel from RA-20R (rural agricultural) to commercial. Arbor said staff found the request compatible with the county’s land-use classification (the property lies in a rural center development node) and recommended approval. She also reported the planning board voted 5–0 to recommend approval and that one resident had asked questions about potential uses.

Despite staff’s recommendation, a commissioner moved to deny the rezoning, stating, “I do not believe this requested change to commercial is reasonable based on the residential uses which surrounds this property especially to the north.” Another commissioner seconded the motion. After a voice vote, the board chair instructed the clerk that “the denial carries,” and the rezoning was formally denied.

The record shows no formal roll-call vote with member names recorded in the transcript; the planning board and staff materials remain in the record for review.

The denial leaves the parcel’s zoning unchanged as RA-20R. The county clerk recorded the action at the meeting.","The Harnett County Board of Commissioners voted to deny a request to rezone about 1.1 acres near NC 87 from RA-20R to commercial despite staff and the planning board recommending approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Harnett County Schools request nearly $40 million in operating increases and $193 million in short‑term capital needs for 2025–26

Harnett County staff recommend CMAR procurement for new animal adoption center

Harnett Regional Water outlines multiyear capital plan; commissioners table fluoridation decision

Harnett County commissioners deny rezoning request for property near NC 87