What you need to know about 3 new initiatives funded in Cumberland County's budget
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved its 2024 budget on Wednesday, keeping property tax rates the same for residents.
The budget, which totaled just under $576 million, also introduced some new initiatives aimed at improving retention for county employees, creating opportunities for community members and addressing public health and safety concerns.
Here’s everything you need to know about the county’s 2024 budget.
Retention and recruitment
One area of focus for the 2024 budget was county employee recruitment and retention.
According to a county news release, $200,000 of the new budget will go toward bonuses for Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office employees — $100,000 for $2,500 hiring bonuses for new deputies and Detention Center employees, and $100,000 for $2,500 recruitment bonuses for current deputies and Detention Center employees who successfully recommend someone to join their ranks.
County employees can also expect a 4% cost-of-living pay increase, according to the release. Results from a countywide study on how county employees are compensated are expected in August.
Education and expenses
Local schools can expect additional funding in the year to come, according to the release.
Fayetteville Technical Community College will see a $1.2 million increase in funding, with $15.47 million in total expenses, while Cumberland County Schools will receive $3.2 million in additional funding out of an $87.5 million budget, the release said.
Some of the county’s expenses will tackle logistical issues, such as $50,897 to hire a custodian crew leader for the Spring Lake Resource Center and $1.4 million for 21 county vehicles in need of replacement, according to the release.
The expansion of the Ann Street Landfill, which has operated since 1980 and will run out of space by 2030; and the cost of the Solid Waste Department’s daily operations are responsible for a $37 increase in annual solid waste fees, which will rise from $56 to $93, the release said. That fee is only charged to residential properties with seven units or less, according to the release.
New ventures
The budget also includes several new community initiatives, according to the release.
Just under $135,000 will fund a Healthy Conversations campaign that will train local barbers and hairstylists in health education and encourage “positive health behaviors” in residents, the release said. In a similar vein, $100,090 has been earmarked to address maternal mortality disparities in the county, according to the release.
Residents can also expect a coffee shop at the West Regional Library on Century Circle that will offer “hands-on job learning and experience” to disabled people, the release said.
Public safety reporter Lexi Solomon can be reached at ABSolomon@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approves $575 million budget
