County Mayor’s Notes – June 16th, 2025

Cumberland County Commission Meeting
The June 2025 meeting of the Cumberland County Commission began with all in attendance except Commissioners Sue York (recovering from a health issue), Jack Davis, and Jerry Cooper.

In the special recognition portion of the night, we recognized Christian Kerley, the Assistant Finance Director, for working hard to become a Certified County Finance Officer.  There are very few in the state, but that number also includes Finance Director Jennifer Turner as well.

Craig Clark spoke during the public comment section of the meeting.  He expressed his gratitude for our Emergency Medical Services department and thanked the county for funding the new cardiac monitors that were recently placed on our ambulances.  The new 15-lead devices are cutting-edge technology that can monitor the front, back, and minor action of the heart, without moving the leads, to help diagnose a heart attack.  This, in turn, can give the information necessary to take the patient straight into the Cath lab at the hospital. This is precisely what happened with Mr. Clark, whose heart attack was on the back of his heart. The information was relayed to CMC physicians from the ambulance in his driveway, and the surgeon was able to create a plan of action and gave orders to the EMS crew for specific medications for his situation.  The CMC team was ready to operate on Mr. Clark upon arrival at the hospital.  The CMC cardiac team was able to resolve his major heart attack with five stents.

As a county, we continue to make strategic investments in our emergency services to ensure that our residents receive the fastest, most advanced care possible. Stories like Mr. Clark’s are a clear and powerful reminder that these efforts save lives.

Resolutions
The following resolutions were considered by the Cumberland County Commission.  The sponsor of the resolution is in parentheses.  Detailed information for each resolution can be found here.

RESOLUTION 06-2025-1 – TO APPROVE UPDATING THE CURRENT CUMBERLAND COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY (FOSTER).  You may recall that the annual updates to the personnel policy were tabled last month.  The updates this year were simple and only included very minor clarifications to overtime and compensatory time, longevity pay, the nursing mothers’ policy, discipline, and on-call pay for the Highway Department.  This month, the policy was approved in a unanimous vote.  The complete policy will be updated online within the next week.

The following routine budget amendments were approved by the Commission for various county departments.  Details of each resolution can be found here.

  • RESOLUTION 06-2025-2 – STATE/FEDERAL GRANT: GEAR UP, BUDGET AMENDMENT (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 06-2025-3 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, GENERAL BUDGET AMENDMENT, OUTCOME BONUS ENTRIES (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 06-2025-4 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, GENERAL BUDGET AMENDMENT, REALLOCATE FUNDS (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 06-2025-5 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, GENERAL BUDGET AMENDMENT, SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 06-2025-6 – GENERAL PROGRAM SCHOOL FUND, GENERAL BUDGET AMENDMENT, REALLOCATE RESOURCES (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 06-2025-7 – GENERAL FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, BUDGET OVERRUNS (GIBSON).
  • RESOLUTION 06-2025-8 – GENERAL FUND, COMPLEX, BUDGET AMENDMENT (MALL).
  • RESOLUTION 06-2025-9 – SOLID WASTE FUND, SANITATION FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT (MALL).
  • RESOLUTION 06-2025-10 – HIGHWAY FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, OPERATIONS (HOLBROOK).
  • RESOLUTION 06-2025-11 – DEBT SERVICE FUND, BUDGET AMENDMENT, OVERRUNS (ISHAM).
  • RESOLUTION 06-2025-12 – OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUND, RAILROAD AUTHORITY, BUDGET AMENDMENT (WILSON).

Financial Update
The Cumberland County Codes Department issued 24 residential and 0 commercial building permits, 36 general mechanical permits, and 29 general plumbing permits in May 2025.  A total of $31,663 in fees were collected.

The EMS department collected $432,002 this month for a year-to-date total of $4,578,740 which is $57,002 above monthly projections, and $453,744 above annual projections.  To make the annual budget of $4.5 million, monthly collections need to average $375,000. 

May sales tax collections (for cash register receipts two months prior) for the BOE for this fiscal year came in at $1,423,150 which was $39,103 below projections.  Year to date, collections are $99,749 above projections.  Property tax collections were 99.68 percent compared to 100.42 percent in the prior year.  Hotel/Motel tax collections are $977,595, which is 78.13 percent of the annual $1,251,275.  With eight months of revenue paid, prisoner boarding collections are $361,825 of a $386,952 annual budget.

Thank you for being part of the solution and for the opportunity to serve as your County Mayor.  If you are interested in hearing my thoughts and views on news, events, and activities in Cumberland County, please subscribe to my newsletter, and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

Thank you.
Allen Foster
Cumberland County Mayorhttp://allenfoster.com