Residents urge no tax hikes and broader volunteer eligibility during packed Hope Mills public comment period

A large public turnout at the May 18 Hope Mills meeting produced extended public comment focused on property‑tax concerns and requests to broaden volunteer eligibility.

Multiple residents told the board they cannot afford another property‑tax increase after recent revaluations. David Hoffman said his taxes rose about $670 on his small home, and John Martinson said he saw a 121% increase in his own bill tied to reevaluation adjustments. “Please do not raise any property taxes,” several speakers urged.

Chris Smith, a retired Fort Bragg resident, asked the town to allow people with Hope Mills mailing addresses who live just outside the town limits and municipal influence area to serve on volunteer advisory boards, arguing many immediately adjacent residents are engaged in town life even if they do not pay town property tax.

Whitaker Granis, president of the Cumberland County Beekeepers Association, used his three minutes to brief the board about pollinator importance, outreach and a local beekeepers’ hotline to rescue swarms. He urged the town and residents to avoid pesticides that harm pollinators and said local beekeepers can be a resource for educational events.

Speakers asked the board to balance service needs against fiscal constraints; some urged the board to consider restoring two‑year terms or to hold leaders accountable for past mismanagement, while others urged fiscal pragmatism.

What’s next: The board reiterated that budget work will continue in workshops and a public hearing is planned for June; it invited citizens to sign up for public hearings and future budget input.

Attributions: Comments are sourced to public‑comment speakers appearing in the meeting record (Chris Smith, David Hoffman, John Martinson, Whitaker Granis, Jennifer Hixon, Wayne Hemingway, Reaver Harwell).