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Harnett County moves to three monthly voting meetings after public survey
Summary
After a public survey showed modest support for an additional evening meeting, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to change its meeting schedule to three monthly voting meetings, keeping the first‑Monday daytime meeting and adding an evening meeting; effective date set as the first meeting in December.
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Nov. 3 to change its regular meeting schedule to three voting meetings per month.
Staff presented results of a public survey that closed Oct. 24 showing 53% of respondents favored an additional evening meeting; the regular (first‑Monday) meeting was the predominant candidate to move. Staff cautioned that both the county planning board and the Harnett County Board of Education meet on first Mondays, so a simple time change on that day could cause conflicts.
The adopted change keeps the first‑Monday daytime meeting (with public comment retained for morning attendees), creates a second meeting designated as a work session, and adds a third meeting held in the evening that will also be a voting meeting for those who cannot attend daytime sessions. A board amendment set the effective date as the first meeting in December.
County staff warned of a possible minor budgetary impact if hourly or overtime‑eligible staff are required to attend additional evening meetings; the county said it would use comp time or overtime as appropriate. Commissioners said the change is intended to increase public access while avoiding disruption to other county boards that meet on first Mondays.
The board instructed staff to return with a recommended calendar by the Nov. 17 meeting so the county can publish its meeting schedule by the Dec. 1 statutory deadline.
