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Cumberland County board approves first reading of emergency management ordinance amendments, adds commissioner notification
Summary
The board voted on Feb. 3 to adopt on first reading amendments to section 5-9 of the Cumberland County Emergency Management Ordinance to restore pre-2020 proclamation procedures and require the clerk to send proclamations to each commissioner as soon as possible; a second reading is required.
Cumberland County commissioners voted on Feb. 3 to adopt, on first reading, amendments to section 5-9 of the county’s Emergency Management Ordinance that restore pre‑March 2020 proclamation procedures and add a formal notification requirement for commissioners.
County Attorney Rick Morfield told the board the revisions remove emergency-era language added during 2020 and return the proclamation process "the way it was, before March 2020." He said the changes respond to challenges the county faced during two recent winter storms when rapid forecasts made it difficult to convene the board. Morfield read a new provision into the record: "a copy of the proclamation shall be sent to each board member as soon as possible," and said the clerk will be responsible for that distribution.
The board discussed roles and timing for emergency proclamations. Commissioner Tyson asked that board members receive a copy of any proclamation in advance when possible and noted the board could take action at its next regularly scheduled meeting if it wished to revise or rescind a proclamation. County Manager Greer said he would contact commissioners before instituting measures if the chair or vice chair could not be reached. Morfield noted that declarations may carry statutory and federal implications and that the county must comply with the broader emergency management framework.
Vice Chair Sherman Jones moved to adopt the resolution as amended; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Morfield told the board the ordinance requires full board adoption and therefore will return for a second reading at the board’s next February meeting with the added notification language.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the meeting agenda (which added this ordinance item), approved the consent agenda, and adopted the resolution for amendments to section 5‑9 with the clerk‑notification addition. The votes were taken by voice and recorded as "aye" in the meeting; no roll‑call tallies were provided.
What comes next: the county attorney will prepare the finalized ordinance language for a required second reading and formal adoption at a subsequent meeting.
