The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on May 19, 2025, to discuss staffing issues and the use of temporary agencies for employment. The meeting began with a review of the county's reliance on temporary staffing solutions, which has been in place since at least 2017. A representative noted that while the county had been using a temp agency for an extended period, they were now actively interviewing candidates to fill positions permanently.

The discussion highlighted concerns about the financial implications of using temporary agencies. One commissioner pointed out that the county was paying significantly more to the agency than what the employees were earning directly. Specifically, it was mentioned that the temp agency charged the Salvation Army over $18 per hour for each position, while the actual employees received only $10 per hour.

Vice Chair Sheryl Jones contributed to the conversation by emphasizing the traditional role of temporary agencies, which is to provide workers with the opportunity to transition into permanent positions. She questioned whether the individuals currently employed through the agency were interested in remaining with the county as permanent employees.

The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion among the board members, focusing on the financial and operational aspects of staffing and the potential transition from temporary to permanent employment. The board aims to address these issues in future meetings, ensuring that staffing strategies align with the county's long-term goals.