Marshall Ellis Downey

The agenda for the meeting included several items under the Consent Agenda for action, such as the acceptance of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association Welfare Grant, approval of the Lee County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council FY2025-2026 Budget Revision, contract approval for the RAVE Public Safety Emergency Mass Notification System, approval of a Memorandum of Agreement for the Private Jacob Gaster Memorial Marker, and approval of a Lease with Daymark Recovery Services, Inc. The agenda also scheduled a Public Hearing regarding UDO Flood Hazard Area Regulations Update and Floodplain Map Update, followed by Public Comments. Old Business included a Planning Board recommendation on a Zoning Map Amendment Request, and New Business covered a request to appear for Harnett Lee Veterans Treatment Court and the Information Technology Core Infrastructure Migration.

The Lee County Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a multi-year strategic financial roadmap for major capital improvements exceeding $500,000, spanning Fiscal Years 2025/2026 through 2029/2030. It focuses on addressing community needs and population growth by guiding taxpayer investment across K-12 education, higher/workforce education, community development, and public safety projects. The plan emphasizes adherence to financial policies, strategic alignment of projects with revenue growth, and prudent debt management to minimize long-term financial impact and avoid tax rate increases.

The agenda for this meeting included several items under the Consent Agenda, such as approving the minutes from the January 5, 2026 Regular Meeting, a lease agreement with Daymark Recovery Services, Inc., and 2026 fee proposals for pool management services at OT Sloan Pool and Horton Pool. Other consent items involved Youth Sports Grants, the Food Truck Permit Fee Schedule, approval of a Tier 2 Grant Application for Emergency Management, and the adoption of the Cape Fear Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Board planned to address recognitions, including a Proclamation Recognizing Black History Month, followed by public comments. Old Business included a Planning Board recommendation on a Zoning Map Amendment (Rezoning Request), and New Business included the FY 2025 Financial Statement Presentation.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. The board addressed numerous changes to the agenda, including adding discussion items regarding the buzz line exhibits and the 250th anniversary logo for the county. A nomination for the Register of Deeds was moved to the consent agenda, and a public hearing was removed and rescheduled due to a discrepancy in the initial call. During public comments, several residents expressed significant concerns regarding proposals for fracking/drilling and data center development, citing risks to water quality, public health, and environmental integrity, and requested a moratorium on these activities. Additionally, a Lee County employee read a letter from the Register of Deeds office staff supporting the appointment of Victoria Gunnar as the next Register of Deeds, detailing her experience and qualifications.

The meeting commenced with the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Agenda management included moving item 5B, Green Hawk Corporation easements, to the consent agenda and adding a resolution to support submitting legislative goals to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners to abolish the certificate of need requirements for health facilities to new business. During public comments, an assistant chief from Tramway Fire Department requested serious consideration for recommendations in the fire chiefs study aimed at improving communication center service, citing issues with proper paging for mutual aid calls. Another citizen expressed concern over large spending expansion projects (library, jail, schools), citing economic uncertainty from Vinfast delays and potential Pfizer layoffs, and urged scrutiny of the $1.8 million allocated for new traditional school land purchase given declining enrollment trends. Concerns were also raised regarding the planned new jail facility's proximity to the courthouse and the high cost compared to addressing root causes of increasing inmate numbers, as well as encouraging a combined community college/county library building project due to proximity.