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Incoming chair names water, education and a $30M mental‑health diversion facility as top priorities
Summary
Chair Kirk J. Devere told commissioners the board will prioritize clean drinking water, continued investments in water and sewer infrastructure, support for education and workforce partnerships, and a $30,000,000 mental‑health diversion facility funded in the county budget.
In his incoming remarks to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 1, Chairman Kirk J. Devere said clean drinking water, education and mental health will be the board’s top priorities in the coming year.
"Clean water, clean, safe drinking water remains my top priority," Devere said, describing plans to continue investing in water and sewer infrastructure "to meet the needs of every corner of this county, residential, commercial, and government." He said the board will continue partnerships with Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) and Cape Fear Valley to grow the local workforce in health care, applied technology, manufacturing and trades.
Devere highlighted a $30,000,000 mental‑health diversion facility that the board included in its budget and said the project will be coordinated with Fayetteville for 911 services to incorporate mental‑health resources. He also named a regional aquatic center as a priority for tourism and athletic facilities.
The remarks framed the board’s upcoming work around infrastructure, education, workforce development and behavioral health. Devere said the board will look for ways to be "smart with our taxpayers' money" and keep more money in residents’ pockets while delivering necessary services.
Why it matters: The $30 million allocation for a mental‑health diversion facility, if implemented as described, represents a major county investment in alternatives to traditional criminal‑justice responses for people with behavioral‑health needs and could reshape 911 and emergency response partnerships.
What’s next: The board will move from these broad priorities into committee work, budget detail and partnerships with local educational and health institutions.
