Cumberland County Board approves audit, shelter funding, public safety incentives and changes to boards-and-commissions process

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 27 accepted the county’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 audit, approved emergency shelter funding, authorized recruitment and retention incentives for sheriff’s deputies and detention officers, and changed the boards-and-commissions nomination process to twice-yearly reviews.

The primary votes and formal actions included:

- Audit acceptance: The board accepted the county audit for the year ending June 30, 2024, after a presentation by Cherry Bekaert LLP senior manager Linda Suggs and county finance staff. Suggs reported unmodified (clean) opinions on the financial statements and on federal and state grant compliance; she said the audit identified no material weaknesses and no reportable significant deficiencies. Commissioner Faircloth moved to accept the audit; the motion passed unanimously (7–0).

- White Flag shelter funding: The board authorized a transfer to fund the White Flag shelter program, increasing the original request so both shelter operators would be funded. Staff said the total transfer within county capacity would be $240,000 and associated budget ordinance amendment B25-0005 was approved. Vice Chairwoman Sher Jones moved the transfer; the motion was seconded and approved by the board (7–0).

- Recruitment and retention incentives for sheriff and detention staff (ARP funds): The board approved allocations recommended by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) ad hoc committee: $150,000 to support detention-officer retention and $200,000 for recruitment incentives targeting experienced sheriff’s deputies. The ARP committee approved the allocations and requested board approval of budget ordinance amendment B25-0487. Commissioner Tyson moved approval; the motion passed (7–0). Staff said the sheriff would provide a framework for distribution.

- Boards-and-commissions process change: The board voted to move the nomination and appointment cycle to twice a year (March and November), to create a committee to review applications and make recommendations, and to instruct staff to prepare a matrix and application updates. The committee will review terms and vacancy timing and return recommendations; the motion was made by Commissioner Tyson and passed (7–0).

- Nominations referred to the new boards-and-commissions committee: The board directed a group of pending nominations (for example, the Cape Fear Valley Board of Trustees and civic center commission seats) to the newly created boards-and-commissions committee for further action under the updated policy. One such motion—to refer Cape Fear Valley Board of Trustees nominations—passed with a 6–1 vote (six in favor, one opposed). For other nomination items the board similarly referred appointments to the committee.

- Other routine business: the consent agenda passed as printed; the board recessed to convene the Grays Creek Water and Sewer District governing board for a mirror vote on the Grays Creek infrastructure item; the district board approved the same option 1 action. The board later went into closed session under North Carolina statutes cited on the record and reported no action thereafter.

Speakers and presenters referenced during these items included Linda Suggs and Robin Coontz from Cherry Bekaert LLP and the county finance office (audit), Ty Vault/Chief of Staff and Tom (White Flag presentation), Mr. Vaughn (presenting White Flag/ARP items on staff’s behalf), County Manager Grier, and multiple commissioners who moved and seconded motions.

Why it matters: The audit acceptance affirms the county’s fiscal reporting and grant compliance for the year; the shelter funding expands short-term capacity for cold-weather sheltering; the ARP allocations target county public-safety staffing challenges; and the boards-and-commissions changes alter how citizen appointments will be processed going forward.

Motion and outcomes: Each listed motion was adopted as stated in the minutes. The audit, White Flag transfer and ARP funding were approved unanimously (7–0). The referral of Cape Fear Valley Board of Trustees nominations to the boards-and-commissions committee carried 6–1. The board also approved the Grays Creek stopgap measure separately as the Grays Creek Water and Sewer District governing board.

The board adjourned after a closed-session meeting in which no action was taken.