Harnett County commissioners approve contracts, appointments and pay changes; keep public-comment rule

The Harnett County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 approved a series of routine and policy items including contracts, appointments, budget amendments and an unchanged public-comment rule.

The board approved workforce and public-safety contracts, amendments to county policies, a resolution to direct opioid-settlement funds and a set of personnel and operational changes during a meeting that included a public hearing on Plan 2502-0002 and five public commentators.

The actions amount to routine business for the county but affect multiple departments. Among the approved items, the board:

- Approved a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) agreement with the Mid-Carolina Regional Council to support workforce development services.

- Authorized the sheriff's office to enter into a contract with Cornerstone Detention Products Inc. to purchase a Bosch computer server for the detention center and to enter an agreement with Dewberry Engineers Inc. to manage the sheriff's office and detention center generator project.

- Approved library policy updates to align the Harnett County Public Library service policy with the library's current strategic plan.

- Approved changes to the county personnel ordinance to reflect a recently approved memorandum of understanding between the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Elections.

- Authorized economic development staff to negotiate and execute a contract with Colliers Engineering and Design to identify where to construct a new road for Highway 87 to county property.

- Approved a resolution directing the expenditure of opioid settlement funds (amount not specified in the meeting record).

- Renewed a hangar lease with Piper GT LLC and approved renewal of the school resource officer (SRO) program memorandum of understanding.

- Authorized the chairman to sign contract amendments that exceed the county manager's signature threshold.

The board also handled committee appointments and candidate applications. The commissioners appointed Alan Jarvis and Chris Prince as the two members from the Harnett County Fire Chiefs Association to the Harnett County First Responders Advisory Committee and approved the application of Mike Williams from District 4; the application period will remain open until Oct. 1 for additional candidates.

On election-board compensation, commissioners set the monthly pay for Board of Elections members: the chair will receive $800 a month and other board members will receive $700 a month.

During the meeting the board held a public hearing on case Plan 2502-0002; no public speakers addressed that item, and the board approved it. The board also held a public hearing to solicit comment on transportation needs and the “5 3 11 community transportation program” (no remarks were recorded) and approved the item.

The board considered and approved a request from Flat Branch Fire Department to change the relief fund board chair and approved a fireworks application from Pyro East Coast Incorporated for a Campbell University fireworks display scheduled for Sept. 20, 2025.

County staff presented budget amendments during the county manager's report; the board approved those amendments.

Commissioner Jaggers asked staff to research costs for building security for next fiscal year and to survey the community about changing meeting times; the board directed staff to look into those matters (staff follow-up requested).

Votes at a glance: - Minutes: Approved minutes for Aug. 26, Sept. 2 and Sept. 9, 2025. Outcome: approved. - Flat Branch Fire Department relief fund chair change. Outcome: approved. - Fireworks application (Pyro East Coast Inc.) for Campbell University, Sept. 20, 2025. Outcome: approved. - WIOA agreement with Mid-Carolina Regional Council. Outcome: approved. - Contract with Cornerstone Detention Products Inc. for a Bosch server. Outcome: approved. - Agreement with Dewberry Engineers Inc. for generator project. Outcome: approved. - Harnett County Public Library service-policy amendment. Outcome: approved. - Personnel-ordinance changes per MOU with Board of Elections. Outcome: approved. - Colliers Engineering and Design contract-negotiation authorization (Highway 87 road). Outcome: approved. - Resolution directing opioid-settlement funds. Outcome: approved (amount not specified). - Appointments to First Responders Advisory Committee: Alan Jarvis and Chris Prince. Outcome: approved. - Application from Mike Williams (District 4) to advisory committee. Outcome: approved; application period remains open through Oct. 1. - Board of Elections pay adjustment: chair $800/month; other members $700/month. Outcome: approved. - Budget amendments presented during county manager's report. Outcome: approved. - Authorization for chairman to sign contract amendments exceeding manager threshold. Outcome: approved. - Hangar lease renewal with Piper GT LLC. Outcome: approved. - Renewal of SRO program MOU. Outcome: approved.

The board opened public comment and recorded remarks from five citizens. The meeting concluded with recognition of a special achievement award received by the Harnett County Sheriff's Office. The board announced a work session scheduled for Sept. 30 and the next regular meeting on Oct. 6. Meeting materials and the full video were posted at www.harnett.org/b0c.

(Details such as vote tallies and mover/second were not specified in the meeting transcript.)