Cumberland County commissioners approve economic incentive, water agreement and three rezoning decisions; adopt communications policy

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on March 17 approved a package of measures including a local incentive grant for Project CrossFit, a bulk water purchase agreement for Grays Creek Phase 1, two rezoning approvals and one rezoning denial, changes to employee health-plan contributions and wellness incentives, a taxpayer excise-tax refund, adoption of a communications policy for the board, and ratification of outside counsel to investigate issues related to the Crown Events Center.

Why it matters: The actions affect local economic development and jobs, residential land use and density across multiple precincts, water service to the Grays Creek area and two schools, county budget and employee benefits for fiscal 2026, how commissioners interact with media, and the county’s legal posture on the Crown Events Center matter.

Project CrossFit incentive Rob Patton, executive vice president for the Fayetteville-Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, presented Project CrossFit and asked for a local incentive grant. Patton said the company manufactures large air domes used by NFL and NCAA teams and plans a Fayetteville facility that would represent roughly $4.1 million in private investment and 72 jobs. The board approved a cash grant of up to $88,107 to be paid in installments over five years, contingent on the company meeting the stated investment and job-creation requirements. No public speakers signed up for the public hearing on the incentive.

Rezoning decisions The board acted on three land-use cases that came through staff and the planning board. Raul Howard, Director of Planning and Inspections, presented each case and summarized staff recommendations and the Planning Board's actions.

- Case ZON25-002: The board approved a rezoning from A1 (Agriculture) to A1A (1-acre minimum agricultural) for roughly 1.75 acres in the North Central Cumberland planning area. Staff and the planning board supported approval, and commissioners found the request consistent with the North Central Area Land Use Plan.

- Case ZON20-442 (listed as ZON20442 in the record): The board denied a request to rezone roughly 20 acres from A1 (Agriculture) to R15 (residential) in the Southeast Cumberland planning area. Staff cited hydric soils and hydric inclusions, lack of utilities, and inadequate road frontage (an 18-foot corner of road access) that would likely not meet NCDOT requirements. A nearby property owner, Christopher Campbell, spoke in opposition, saying the area is a wet farming community and that the proposed density would be incompatible. The board voted to deny the rezoning, adopting staff’s finding that the request was not consistent with the Southeast Cumberland Land Use Plan and not in the public interest.

- Case ZON25-001: The board approved rezoning from A1A to R30A (suburban residential allowing manufactured homes) for a little over 3.5 acres in the Northeast Cumberland planning area. Staff noted the site abuts a suburban residential designation and the request was supported 7–0 by the Planning Board. Owner John Robertson spoke in support, saying the property has been in his family and that water service is available to make the lot usable. The motion to approve included an automatic amendment to the Northeast land-use map to reflect the change.

Grays Creek water services agreement Amanda Lee (presenting staff) described a bulk-water purchase agreement for Grays Creek Phase 1 that would secure 98,000 gallons per day at published wholesale rates from PWC and support a county-owned water system intended to serve an estimated 273 customers over 20 years. Lee said the project is tied to grant deadlines for ARPA funds that must be spent by the end of 2026, making it important to identify a water source now so construction can proceed. The board approved the water services agreement and instructed staff to submit the executed agreement and a joint letter from PWC and the district to the Division of Water Infrastructure.

Health-insurance plan changes Robin Coontz, director of finance/CFO, summarized the recommended benefits and contribution changes for fiscal 2026. The board agreed to keep medical-plan coverage levels unchanged for FY26 but to increase the wellness incentive from $30 per month to $50 per month for employees meeting wellness objectives, and to raise employee contributions by the same estimated 11.3% increase the plan is projected to require. Staff presented an estimated gross plan cost increase of about $3.2 million and net county cost of roughly $2.8 million after the increased employee share.

Taxpayer excise-tax refund The board approved a requested refund for a duplicate recording of a deed. County Attorney Rick Moorfield presented the background: an attorney had accidentally recorded the same deed twice in error. The county’s portion of the duplicate excise tax totaled about $2.09; the board adopted a resolution to authorize the refund and directed staff to report the matter to the Secretary of Revenue so the state portion may be reclaimed if eligible.

Communications policy for the Board of Commissioners The board considered and adopted a proposed communications policy prepared by the county’s Public Information Office (PIO). Assistant County Manager Brian Haney and staff described the policy as a framework for PIO coverage of meetings and events, social media, press releases, deadlines for coverage requests, and PIO support for written remarks and event coordination.

The policy prompted several commissioners to stress that it should not be read as a limitation on an individual commissioner’s right to speak with constituents or the news media. Commissioner Tyson described the policy as guidance, not a “straightjacket,” and County Attorney Moorfield clarified that the policy language enables commissioners to use PIO assistance but does not legally bind them to route inquiries through the PIO. The board approved the policy on a split vote (five in favor, two opposed). Commissioners who spoke in opposition said they were concerned about language in the draft that could be read as mandatory rather than advisory; supporters said the document establishes consistent procedures for county communications staff.

Ratification of outside counsel for Crown Events Center matters After a closed-session discussion conducted under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143‑318.11(a)(3) (attorney–client privilege), the board returned to open session and unanimously ratified a contract with Hutchins Law Firm to investigate items related to the Crown Events Center project and instructed the county attorney to proceed under that agreement.

Procedural votes and next steps The board also approved routine agenda and consent items at the start of the meeting, moved several consent items to business as requested by staff, and recessed to convene the Grays Creek Water and Sewer District for approval of the same Grays Creek water-services agreement. Staff noted required next steps for approved items: executing the Project CrossFit incentive agreement contingent on job/investment verification; submitting the Grays Creek agreement and supporting letter to the Division of Water Infrastructure; and having the county attorney coordinate with Hutchins Law Firm on the scope of the Crown Events Center review.

Quotes "We're requesting approval of a cash grant of $88,107 paid out over a 5 year period," Rob Patton said in presenting Project CrossFit. "These projects with these ARPA funds have to be constructed by the end of 2026," Amanda Lee said when explaining why an identified water source is needed to begin construction. "This is more of a guideline — not meant to be a straightjacket," Commissioner Tyson said of the communications policy. "I speak in for all of my Turnbull crew — we totally oppose the rezoning," Christopher Campbell said in public comment opposing a rezoning request.

Ending Board members said staff will return with formal agreements and implementation details where needed. Several agenda items tied to planned capital work and legal review will require follow-up reports to the board; staff identified grant deadlines and permitting requirements as near-term milestones for the Grays Creek water project and for any incentive agreements that were approved.