Cumberland County approves up to $563,000 to negotiate MOU with Salvation Army to reopen emergency shelter

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted 3–2 on May 14, 2025, to direct the county manager to negotiate a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Salvation Army to reopen an emergency shelter, authorizing county staff to negotiate terms for up to $563,000 annually and requiring environmental health inspections and ongoing performance reporting.

The motion, introduced by Vice Chairwoman Jones and approved by Commissioner Tyson and Chairman De Vier, instructs the county manager to negotiate an MOU for emergency shelter services with the Salvation Army, ensure environmental health inspects the facility (including checking for asbestos), and explore a funding partnership with the City of Fayetteville. Commissioners Faircloth and Adams voted against the motion.

County staff presented background showing the Salvation Army closed its shelter earlier after cash-flow problems and staffing gaps. Assistant County Manager Heather Steens told commissioners the county was notified on April 15, 2025, and that the Salvation Army provided internal and external audits, financial records through March 2025 and initial reopening cost estimates. Steens said the Salvation Army’s original ask included $562,804.73 for outstanding invoices, building maintenance, staffing and meals, and that the organization later provided a figure tied to a one-year commitment.

Salvation Army Major Goldfarb told commissioners the shelter could operate at 50 residents with a monthly cost estimated around $46,888.39 and an additional per-person daily cost of $31.25 for occupants above that baseline, with capacity up to 62 beds by fire-marshall limit. Goldfarb said headquarters would require a 12‑month funding commitment and that, if a funding agreement were reached and processed by headquarters, the Salvation Army could have an MOU completed and be ready to operate within roughly two to three weeks: "2 to 3 weeks, we could have a memorandum of understanding and be ready to run," he said.

Goldfarb described operational details the proposed funding would cover: shelter accommodations, daily meals, laundry access (the shelter recently added washers and dryers), and case management tied to HMIS (the Homeless Management Information System). He also described staffing patterns used when the shelter operated, including 24/7 monitoring and on-site case-management staff. He said the organization has been drawing on reserves and has hired retail staff to support sustainability through its thrift-store revenue stream; he said territorial headquarters in Atlanta must approve reopening and the MOU.

Commissioners pressed for additional assurances. Several asked the county to require environmental health inspection and proof of remediation: Major Goldfarb said the shelter has undergone fire‑marshal inspections and Servpro remediation reports and that the building’s HVAC, kitchen equipment and sanitation systems had been repaired since the Salvation Army took over. Vice Chairwoman Jones asked for ongoing performance metrics and explicit MOU language on inspections and reporting; commissioners also requested the county manager identify funding sources if the board moves forward.

Opponents of the motion said they were concerned about financial stewardship, the completeness of audits presented, and the sustainability of a one‑year commitment to a provider that had used temporary staffing and had drawn on reserves. Commissioner Faircloth noted the county has no statutory duty to provide shelter and said he wanted clearer assurances that the county would receive sufficient program metrics and accounting before committing taxpayer funds. Commissioner Adams raised concerns about entering an agreement with current leadership when the Salvation Army is planning a leadership transition in roughly 33 days.

Next steps from the meeting: the board directed the county manager to negotiate the MOU not to exceed $563,000 annually, to require environmental health inspection and asbestos checks, to include reporting/performance metrics in any agreement, and to seek whether the City of Fayetteville will partner financially. The MOU negotiation and any resulting contract will return to the board for approval as required by county procurement and contracting policy.

The vote restores capacity the county lost when the Salvation Army closed the shelter and is intended as a short‑term operational reopening while the county and its partners evaluate longer‑term shelter planning and any planned county shelter projects.