Public commenters urge county funding for child advocacy, schools, elections and senior services at Cumberland County budget hearing

Cumberland County commissioners opened a budget public hearing on June 1 and heard appeals from local organizations and residents asking the board to restore or increase funding for a range of social services and county responsibilities.

John Webster, executive director of the Child Advocacy Center, told the board the center will likely serve "600 plus children" in the coming year and urged "robust funding" so the center can continue forensic interviews, victim advocacy and trauma-focused therapy. Webster said the center provided forensic interviews and advocacy to 531 children last fiscal year and delivered trauma therapy to more than 120; he estimated April service values at about $21,000 for forensic interviews and $13,000 for trauma-informed therapy.

Webster said the Child Advocacy Center "is a core partner in this county's response to child abuse," working with law enforcement, social services and health providers, and asked commissioners to "please do your part to fund the CAC."

Tom Hatch, a resident speaking about public education, urged the board to consider fully funding the school system's request rather than treating education "as optional or secondary." Hatch said local schools face declining enrollment, rising costs and the expiration of federal ESSER funds; he quoted a proposed school budget figure of approximately $671 million with about $110 million requested in county funding and said failing to invest risks harming classrooms, staffing and long-term economic stability.

Leonard Williams, representing an organization he called RAI (Responder Assistant Initiative), described a program that began with a Department of Justice grant and is now housed under emergency management, and he asked the county to support first-responder wellness services for public safety workers and their families.

Crystal Edmonds urged commissioners to ensure the Board of Elections has adequate funds to recruit and train poll workers and judges, staff early-voting sites, maintain election systems and communicate reliably with voters, including residents in nursing homes. Alicia Hughes, a Meals on Wheels volunteer, described delivering food to homebound seniors and asked the board to fully fund the Cumberland County Council on Older Adults for Meals on Wheels, senior nutrition, information-and-assistance services and companionship programs.

Chairman Devier framed the manager's recommended budget as a starting point and emphasized that public input will help shape the final document. County Manager Greer read public-hearing procedures before the comment period began. Commissioners approved an amended agenda and the consent agenda without objection before the public hearing began.

After public comment, Commissioner Adams clarified that community funding was not removed permanently from consideration; the manager's proposed budget did not include some community line items, but the commissioners retain the authority to set funding levels during upcoming work sessions and a placeholder dollar amount exists in the budget. Commissioner Tyson and others thanked speakers for attending and reminded the public of a second budget public hearing at 7 p.m. the same day in room 118 of the courthouse.

The board later moved into closed session for attorney-client matters under NCGS 143-318.11(3), returned to open session and reported the closed-session discussion concerned the board's pending litigation with a party identified in the record as "Yuing Cole." No public action resulted from the closed session. The meeting adjourned with no additional business.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the amended agenda and the consent agenda by unanimous voice votes; a motion to enter closed session and the subsequent motion to exit closed session were also approved unanimously. Exact tallies were not recorded in the public transcript.

Next steps: commissioners will review public input during budget work sessions and will take further action in coming meetings as they finalize the county budget.