[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6666840,"mediaKeyId","2307845-8b1107a697f55e3540fb78affc7b8f4f","parentId",2307845,"title","Cumberland County directs staff to finalize federal legislative agenda amid funding-freeze uncertainty","audioSeconds",552,"startMs",3600000,"endMs",4152000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307845-8b1107a697f55e3540fb78affc7b8f4f&start=3600&end=4152","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307845-8b1107a697f55e3540fb78affc7b8f4f/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6666840/Cumberland-County/North-Carolina/Cumberland-County-directs-staff-to-finalize-federal-legislative-agenda-amid-funding-freeze-uncertainty","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666840-cf464f3299fc0142eaf5804e7ed3aaae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159629&Signature=VwwsVHn5DKhovzp1PrJ9OIdJwNsEXZfogb7EgTbTyXtkFgzdVDJdHmRWvy37MpOmUuPKyD968n3lsBuxHCTpF900NIa4l7aRNvTUtvd1sWULxpV6pR814puFbAOr1REJQGIpAUmKjjF2~~d2zNsiwnMmOqLPmaKV77CzEGaeeIs8uKJ-7qPRLLuI0c~Mu0kibqh5xH6rsOWAECzdjz5sdeHXGQEq1ggSKptXdgR3GTAfmbuZ2WaM1T7hvBTkuKE2T0A4tB7T3rJj-iPbbif-U04nxSy98CTfm11mMZerS51LMAA2L3aLqoOdMfNO1EyFxaT0u~gkfyYsn-0SyMTC3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cumberland County","date","2025-02-13T21:16:19.51Z","article","County officials and their federal consultants updated the Board of Commissioners on ongoing federal funding uncertainty and asked the board to narrow priorities ahead of a Washington, D.C., advocacy trip.

Ron Hamm, president and CEO of Hamm Consulting Group, told commissioners court actions and administrative guidance had complicated federal grant awards and that some agencies were still unable to release appropriated funds. \"There have still been difficulty in accessing some of those funds,\" Hamm said, describing the effects of a recent pause and subsequent court rulings. He urged the county to inventory pending and ongoing federal grants so delegation offices and associations can assess the local impact.

Sally Shutt, assistant county manager, presented a draft federal legislative agenda organized around the board’s strategic priorities. The packet grouped requests into funding and policy asks and included items such as water and sewer infrastructure, federal support for mental-health services and workforce development for people with behavioral health needs, WIC funding and breastfeeding/market-nutrition programs, and support for veterans services.

Commissioners discussed narrowing the list for meetings with members of Congress and the National Association of Counties (NACo). Commissioner Tyson moved that staff finalize the federal agenda with targeted, prioritized funding requests and bring a draft for approval at the March 5 meeting so commissioners can present it during their NACo visits; the board approved the motion unanimously. The board indicated the most urgent buckets to emphasize on the trip were water infrastructure (including contaminated areas and PFAS/leachate issues), education funding impacts (including federal grants such as Impact Aid), mental-health and substance-use services, and public safety investments.

Consultants and staff also described the evolving appropriations and reconciliation processes in Congress and urged commissioners to expect continuing uncertainty: some offices favor extending current spending levels via continuing resolution, while others plan targeted appropriations or reconciliation measures. Ron Hamm said the county’s priorities would need to be positioned to match likely federal opportunities and that staff would coordinate with the county’s congressional delegation and national associations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Agenda Session - February 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County officials and federal consultants briefed commissioners about a federal funding freeze and court activity affecting grant awards, and the board unanimously directed staff to finalize a short federal legislative agenda emphasizing water infrastructure, education, mental health and public safety.","taxTitle","Cumberland County, North Carolina","taxId",3861,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666846,"Cumberland County health department names maternal, chronic and behavioral health top priorities after community assessment",873,2042000,2915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307845-8b1107a697f55e3540fb78affc7b8f4f&start=2042&end=2915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307845-8b1107a697f55e3540fb78affc7b8f4f/thumbnail_2042000.jpg","/articles/6666846/Cumberland-County/North-Carolina/Cumberland-County-health-department-names-maternal-chronic-and-behavioral-health-top-priorities-after-community-assessment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666846-c4bb1fe71cc5bb3fd4e9fb3feb732ca8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159629&Signature=n1mBAuRiZyOr3SYr7JerMtGmSKX9ORHX~Fe0zwfhnJkkvK~-vYDB1B1xs1Ft9r-qSOAT6-ZAc7feifv86rx4ysvr1mSysFmsdt5l8ns7eK9iijoh27Q1aeICSLuxZ9ZyEvh18irBJXcppUFpliBDuLOjGVLDj2C6bm1OdyhqBMH8Y3F0rrJlfL9lacDPR9j5ZnmS-YrJJTOtKt8ogdQR0BTbXDVYN84l9ptDwxFWef~hEIHE1JcvZGUe-dlne-aurkqEWvyjDvZTT5GtbHafSkQeUkuYhqM40Sem7lpDGE~vlFWfD9H6dme120mUQ7c7UFL6LuwIdD26qV89siKT9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Green, Cumberland County health director, presented the results of the county’s 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment and told the Board of Commissioners that stakeholders selected maternal-infant health, physical health (chronic disease) and behavioral health (mental health and substance use) as the top priorities.

The assessment combined primary data (about 1,200 surveys and four focus groups, including a Spanish-language session and groups for veterans and Cape Fear Valley employees) with secondary data from sources such as the CDC and the state health department. \"Mental health was a priority,\" Dr. Green said during her presentation, and she listed substance use and chronic disease as the next-highest concerns. She told the board the survey respondents skewed older and were mostly women, and that the county’s relatively young median age (about 31) and a high veteran population — roughly 20% — are important context for interpreting results.

The health department said it uses the assessment for its public health accreditation and to satisfy hospital IRS requirements, and that the results will feed a community health improvement plan and the department’s strategic plan. \"This assessment is the first part in an ongoing cycle,\" Dr. Green said, describing a process in which priorities identified in the assessment inform quality-improvement projects and strategic planning.

Stakeholders that participated in a September prioritization meeting — the department said Commissioner Jones and Commissioner Adams attended the stakeholder meeting — used dot-voting to select the three priority areas. Dr. Green said the health department will finalize a public report in the next few weeks and post it to the county website, and will work with community partners to produce action plans addressing the priorities. She added the department already has programs that relate to these priorities, including a perinatal task force and a Cumberland maternal/infant response team.

In questions after the presentation, commissioners pressed the department on representativeness and outreach. Dr. Green said the health department and its partners used targeted distribution and focus groups to capture underrepresented populations, acknowledged the limitations of a 1,200-response survey in a county of roughly 337,000 residents, and said the assessment’s multiple data sources were combined to set priorities. She also said the department collaborates with local universities and military partners to improve response from younger adults.

Dr. Green noted the assessment is being used by other local agencies, including hospitals, for grant-writing and strategic planning. She also asked the board to view the final report as an active document rather than one that \"sits on a shelf.\"","Cumberland County health director Dr. Green presented results of a 2024 community health needs assessment showing mental health, substance use and chronic disease among top health concerns. The county will use the findings to shape a community health improvement plan and departmental strategic priorities; a final report will be posted publicly.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666834,"Commissioners reject bids for sheriff’s firing-range project and move jail health plan for adoption after attorney review",4,8013000,8017000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307845-8b1107a697f55e3540fb78affc7b8f4f&start=8013&end=8017","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307845-8b1107a697f55e3540fb78affc7b8f4f/thumbnail_8013000.jpg","/articles/6666834/Cumberland-County/North-Carolina/Commissioners-reject-bids-for-sheriffs-firing-range-project-and-move-jail-health-plan-for-adoption-after-attorney-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666834-533ed311d35141129cd82257b1e42d41/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159629&Signature=e8W-oLQ9mtWIM5tUkChC4y8qQ7z8j9t3ZIGn3mJHt82eqN45Z-lqwuA-PBjp~gQ7UyVtYrfUFiWGDNR1tdx231ve~0l50mGivFejqc3IYy3aHVl520LbYzjQ5TJlxkuiV~5xJx6Ig~vt3Ha404yRnI-VXHlO7AdDL9jwJae~IFvzqU-6wnFWjvZc2~HBnW~4~KN4PJEYAD6~O6I6t1Cn3nHjLjNOMWsvfJvX8F7Vag4xE8Tshiq2opwRb~6~faQwj2X3Rqo0zn0ZEwzaAObJRb6z0YqyQLAbdiSs0OANFttiPiOGcggdok9WlFhgDvVjZMv6o7TWm2RZgdFC43IdVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to reject all bids for the Earl Butler Sheriff’s Training and Firing Range project and to resolicit the work after staff and the county attorney clarified bidding and bond requirements.

Jermaine Walker, director of engineering and infrastructure, told the board staff found ambiguity in the solicitation about bid bonds and, after conferring with the county attorney and purchasing, recommended resoliciting to make the procurement transparent and avoid competition violations. Commissioner Tyson moved to reject the bids and resolicit; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

On a separate item, Heather Steen, assistant county manager, presented the Cumberland County Detention Jail Health Plan, which staff said is prepared each January under statutory requirements. The presentation cited North Carolina General Statute 153A-225 and corresponding administrative code provisions (10A NCAC 14J .1001) that require a jail health plan and annual review.

The plan was presented with signatures from relevant parties; the board voted to place the jail health plan on the Feb. 17 consent agenda for formal adoption and to allow the chairman to sign a certificate of approval subject to the county attorney’s review and confirmation that the health director had signed the version in the packet. County staff said the health director had previously reviewed and signed the plan.","The board rejected all bids for the Earl Butler Sheriff’s Training and Firing Range to resolicit the project and moved the county detention jail health plan to the Feb. 17 consent agenda for adoption pending attorney approval and a required health director signature.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666838,"Cumberland County tax administrator reports 64.7% increase in assessed value after 2025 revaluation; county outlines calls and appeals plan",605,8340000,8945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307845-8b1107a697f55e3540fb78affc7b8f4f&start=8340&end=8945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307845-8b1107a697f55e3540fb78affc7b8f4f/thumbnail_8340000.jpg","/articles/6666838/Cumberland-County/North-Carolina/Cumberland-County-tax-administrator-reports-647-increase-in-assessed-value-after-2025-revaluation-county-outlines-calls-and-appeals-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666838-7a0c5f2075384dcc7f890b6bcd0641ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159629&Signature=APbj-dOEwnep2psmPRWtM3Gjv972KHmRubQUUwoSXIPe0VwGWXMv7EfazSmleozcY5TnQZ3BFm6Zfr2TeJP00YVbkSsNT~Wl~pMdVRL~3L-oiqX9NP2MDLC3u90miH3h09daYpNrNu5czVERmO-nseROXjoUvMuceKiof3-hxeuiClF4gvP-qP2w2n09OWNAlOzhGOlW9OZVETU6ihmCibYnJHjiVLOo8iBbXjSBVva4L4evyARK5iaA5BHFfgtI9Gyb9Acx50~5I0G1WB0pdsmyxzZlr76hT4Z2cNOo5sbqpqNboCzAd-~gnOEqQC9dIlGOiScuZqpDqVZL1CUD8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joe Utley, Cumberland County tax administrator, presented results of the county’s 2025 property revaluation and told the Board of Commissioners assessed values rose substantially across categories, with an overall assessed-value increase of about 64.7 percent.

Utley explained that the statutory revaluation process updates all real property values to reflect market value as of Jan. 1, 2025, using mass-appraisal techniques and roughly 45,000 qualified sales to set market comparables. \"Revaluations are simply the opportunity or a statute required to bring our real property values up to a % of fair market value on January the first of 2025,\" Utley said. He noted revaluations do not in themselves raise revenue; the governing body sets the tax rate after values are set.

Utley gave figures printed in the staff presentation: a gross assessed total of approximately $39,306,000,445 and a 2025 beginning taxable value of about $34.5 billion after exempt property and exclusions. He cautioned that the taxable value may change as exemptions and tax-relief applications are processed.

Because of the size of the change, staff outlined a communications and customer-service plan. Notices were to be mailed and a revaluation call center opened to handle taxpayer questions and appeals. Commissioners asked staff to publish clear deadlines and provide consolidated, plain-language guidance (for example, explicit final appeal dates) on the county website. Several commissioners asked staff to analyze the frequency of revaluations: Utley and the county manager said staff would evaluate moving from an eight-year cycle toward a six- or four-year cycle, with an intermediate six-year step suggested.

Utley described the appeals process and said that if taxpayers submit fee appraisals or other evidence, the tax office will consider those materials; mass appraisal methods will be used for the bulk of properties. Staff also recommended targeted outreach in municipalities where revaluation changes concentrate, with mobile or on-site assistance as needed.","Tax administrator Joe Utley briefed commissioners on the 2025 county-wide property revaluation, which raised assessed values roughly 64.7%. Staff described an outreach and appeals plan including a call center and public communications and recommended evaluating moving the county’s revaluation cycle toward shorter intervals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cumberland County directs staff to finalize federal legislative agenda amid funding-freeze uncertainty

Cumberland County health department names maternal, chronic and behavioral health top priorities after community assessment

Commissioners reject bids for sheriff’s firing-range project and move jail health plan for adoption after attorney review

Cumberland County tax administrator reports 64.7% increase in assessed value after 2025 revaluation; county outlines calls and appeals plan