Cumberland County pauses solar procurement after dispute over commissioner’s potential conflict

A proposed county solar project is on hold while the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners investigates whether a commissioner’s conduct created an appearance of impropriety in the vendor vetting process. The board member who announced the hold said the matter must be evaluated to determine whether the planning process was tainted.

Commissioner Gary Eichelberger responded that he had abstained to avoid even the appearance of impropriety after learning of a relationship between an individual he knows and a principal investor in one of the prospective vendors. He said he believed his abstention was proper and legal and that he had not received any financial benefit. Other commissioners strongly disagreed with his handling and timing, saying he did not disclose the potential issue earlier in the vetting process and accusing him of disrupting the selection. The exchange in the public meeting grew heated, with multiple commissioners asserting that the abstention, raised at the “eleventh hour,” undermined the appearance of a fair process.

One speaker said the project, which had drawn public and staff interest and a significant effort from planning and facilities staff, was jeopardized by the dispute. Another commissioner said the board was “further investigating this situation” and apologized to the planning and facilities staff for the uncertainty and extra work. The board did not vote to award or rescind any contract during the meeting; the project remains paused pending the board’s evaluation of whether the process must be re-run or other remedial steps taken.

The county also reported an executive session held earlier on Feb. 20 regarding personnel; no additional executive‑session details were released at the public meeting. The board’s public statements underscore that the solar procurement will not proceed while the investigation continues.