FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The following is a summary of the Nov. 14, 2024, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners American Rescue Plan (ARP) Committee Special Meeting. The meeting was held in Room 564 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse at 11:00 a.m. To view the agenda and supporting materials for this meeting, go to https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/commissioners-group/commissioners/american-rescue-plan/community-meetings.
ARP Committee Chairman Commissioner Jimmy Keefe opened the meeting.
Tye Vaught, Chief of Staff, presented the American Rescue Plan Act 2021-2024 Obligation Report. His presentation included information regarding the ways in which the County obligated American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. A document explaining the obligations can be found on the County website. Vaught noted he would bring one more Budget Revision before the Board to comply with the U.S. Treasury’s requirement that all funding is fully obligated by Dec. 31, 2024.
The Committee voted unanimously to recommend providing an additional $250,000 in ARP funds to continue funding the County’s Ignite Internship program with $50,000 dedicated to assisting with transportation.
The following ITEMS OF BUSINESS were discussed:
A. Consideration of Funding for the Construction of a Farmer's Market: Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Glenn Adams presented. The American Rescue Plan Staff Committee requested the ARP Committee’s approval to designate $3 million from ARPA freed-up General Fund capacity to assist with the creation of an International Farmer's Market. The ARP Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of this request.
B. Consideration of Gray's Creek Water and Sewer District Water Main Extension Capital Project Phase I Budget Ordinance Amendment #B250380: Tye Vaught, Chief of Staff, presented. On Jan. 25, 2024, the ARP Committee recommended approval of the Gray's Creek Water and Sewer District Water Main Extension Capital Project Phase I. The Board of Commissioners approved the Capital Ordinance on Feb. 19, 2024. To ensure compliance with the U.S. Treasury’s Dec. 31, 2024, obligation deadline, staff requested the unencumbered balance within the Capital Project be reallocated to the American Rescue Plan Fund. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of Capital Project Budget Ordinance Amendment #B250380.
C. Consideration of Funding for Community Development Supportive and Permanent Affordable Housing: Tye Vaught, Chief of Staff and Interim Community Development Director, presented. Vaught requested the Committee’s approval to allocate $5 million in ARPA freed-up General Fund capacity to support property acquisition for the County's Homeless Support Center project and affordable housing expansion. In addition, Vaught requested funding for the redevelopment and expansion of the Robin's Meadow Transitional Housing program to include Permanent Supportive Housing, increasing the number of single-family units from 12 to 22. Community Development plans to leverage program income, CDBG, and HOME funds to supplement this redevelopment effort. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of this request.
Additionally, the Committee voted unanimously to recommend using $4.7 million in ARPA freed-up General Fund capacity to address sewer issues in the Bragg Estates development.
OTHER ITEMS discussed included:
A. Vice Chairwoman Dr. Toni Stewart requested allocating $300,000 for the County’s WORTH Court to assist with addressing human trafficking issues within the county. The Committee requested more information prior to considering the request.
B. Chairman Adams requested more information on ways funding could be used to provide assistance to Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) residents who are above the low income threshold but still need assistance. The Committee discussed some options currently available including trying to increase awareness of existing programs, but no action was taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:02 p.m.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners ARP Committee is comprised of Commissioner Jimmy Keefe, who chairs the Committee, Chairman Glenn Adams and Vice Chairwoman Dr. Toni Stewart.
For more information on the ARP Committee and Cumberland County’s ARP allocation and programs, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/americanrescueplan.
