Harnett County

The board received a quarterly update from the economic development department and reviewed transportation regulation updates proposed by development services, along with upcoming public hearings. Action items approved during the session included amendments to the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget ordinance, the establishment of economic development incentive guidelines for companies, and a 30-year lease agreement with the Bunle Level Roarton Club for park development. Furthermore, the board authorized a contract with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the Highland School Road Extension, approved a library grant application, ratified budget amendments, and granted the chairman authority to sign contract amendments exceeding the manager's signature threshold.

The board meeting included a ceremony honoring a local veteran for heroic military service. The primary business included an economic development quarterly update, which focused on active projects, site readiness, and capital investments in various industrial parks. The board also initiated discussions regarding proposed updates to transportation regulations within the Unified Development Ordinance, aimed at addressing challenges associated with recent county growth.

The Board of Commissioners held a meeting that included the presentation of several honors, including the Silver Star and Airman's Medal for Captain William B. Bird Jr., and a proclamation commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Public comments addressed concerns regarding election board procedures, Independence Day celebrations, and the impact of mobile home property reassessments on seniors and working families. The board conducted a public hearing and approved a refund for an excise tax overpayment. Additionally, the board approved a $500,000 grant from Golden Leaf for corporate area development and discussed the bidding process for a corporate area development project.

The Board of Elections discussed several operational updates, including facility renovations, the management of ballot-on-demand machines, and strategies for election worker recruitment, such as engaging with university students. The board also reviewed and approved a revised curbside voting plan, which includes new signage, traffic flow patterns, and procedural enhancements to improve accessibility. Finally, the board scheduled a future meeting to appoint early voting election officials in accordance with regulatory notice requirements.

The board focused on the finalization of the annual budget, discussing key assumptions such as the 2022 schedule of values and potential impacts of pending legislation. Significant allocations were reviewed for county schools, future school projects, nonprofit support, weapons detection systems, and new personnel positions, while reductions were made in community college services, public safety technology, and capital equipment. The board also discussed fire district tax rate adjustments and decided to move nonprofit funding into a contingency fund for future consideration, ultimately approving the budget and planning a subsequent session to address levy rates.