Board appoints John Newman chair, rolls over bylaws and code of ethics into 2026

The Cumberland County Board of Supervisors voted Jan. 13 to appoint John Newman as chairman and to carry forward the 2025 bylaws and code of ethics into 2026.

Nominations opened at the start of the meeting; Speaker 6 nominated John Newman and Speaker 7 nominated Paul Stimpson. After floor discussion the board approved Newman’s appointment by voice vote. Moderator (S3) then guided the board through organizational items, and staff (S9) stated the bylaws and the standards of conduct presented were identical to those adopted at the 2025 annual meeting.

The board also approved the 2026 proposed meeting schedule, which includes an alternate date each month so a meeting canceled for inclement weather would automatically move to the alternate date without additional notice. Staff noted the remote attendance policy remains unchanged from last year and was presented for annual renewal.

Board members discussed a recent packet posting that included suggested changes; one supervisor expressed concern about last-minute insertions limiting the board’s ability to provide input before matters appear in the packet. Staff responded that the circulated bylaws reflected prior suggestions and that no substantive new changes were being proposed for adoption.

The organizational votes concluded with the board approving committee appointments and an attendance policy as presented. The meeting then moved to the consent agenda.