Cumberland Commissioner Candidates Talk Data Centers, Taxes, Clean Water

The four people vying for two at-large seats on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners staked out positions on economic growth, including data centers, during a candidates forum on Tuesday.

They also discussed taxes and spending, providing clean drinking water, and how the county can best work with cities and towns inside its borders during the Greater Fayetteville Chamber event at Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). About 140 people attended.

The candidates are former Commissioner Charles Evans; Commissioner Veronica Jones, who is the board’s vice chair; Gray’s Creek community activist Ron Ross; and Greg West, who is a member of the Board of Education.

Jones and Evans are Democrats; Ross and West are Republicans. Voters are asked to select two names from the list of four on their ballot. The two with the most votes will be seated in December.

Tyler Patton moderated. He is director of communications and community relations at the Fayetteville Public Works Commission and chair of the Chamber’s Government Relations Committee. The forum, which also included General Assembly candidates and 14 of 16 people running for school board, can be watched on YouTube.

Data Centers, Economic Development

Patton asked the candidates how they would balance the economic benefits of major industrial development, including data centers, against “concerns related to land use, agriculture, and nearby residents’ quality of life.”

Evans opposes data centers.

“Nine times out of 10, if you place that center in a place in Cumberland County, it’s going to be into a poor area,” he said. “And it just doesn’t make sense that we get all the bad stuff. We want some of the good stuff, too.”

He would work to attract businesses that pay high wages, he said.

Jones wants the county to continue its workforce training partnerships and investments with FTCC, Fayetteville State University, and the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine.

Commissioners are addressing data centers, Jones said. 

“Under this leadership, we put a six-month moratorium in place because we want to make it real clear: If you come to Cumberland County—again, actions—we are concerned about our water, we’re concerned about our air, and we are concerned about our citizens. So, if you’re going to come here, we’re going to make sure that it’s safe,” she said.

Ross said data centers are “energy hogs.”

“So, am I against data centers? We need them, OK. But until they become environmentally friendly, the answer is: No. No. No,” he said. “We don’t want another Chemours on our hands.”

The Chemours plant just south of the Cumberland County line and Gray’s Creek contaminated much of the area’s drinking water with forever chemicals. In September, the company agreed to pay $455 million over the next 15 years, including $161.5 million to the county.

West said data centers are “a narrow piece” of the conversation about attracting jobs and growing the economy.

“I know I will be excited and capable of helping us grow our economic base here, and that will benefit each and every one of us, from our children to our elderly,” he said. West cited nearby Johnston County as an example to follow, which had success by pursuing growth in the pharmaceutical sector.

Taxes and Spending

Patton asked the candidates how they would balance paying for things like building and maintaining schools and infrastructure “without placing undue strain on taxpayers.”

Jones said commissioners have invested in the school system without raising property tax rates this year and after cutting the property tax rate last year.

“And so, basically, my answer is: We will continue to do the work that we’ve already done,” she said.

The county’s fiscal year 2027 budget, passed in June, includes $105.8 million for the school district. A year earlier, the county provided about $103 million to the school district. In July, commissioners unanimously voted to provide up to $510 million for school construction and maintenance.

Ross said the school board should not have closed schools. Now, students have to get on the buses earlier in the morning to get to school, and they get home later, he added. In May, the school board voted to close Manchester and J.W. Coon elementary schools. West voted in favor of closing the schools in the 5-3 decision.

“I’ll work with the school board, but I would also recommend a quarterly meeting with them, at least every three months, because money takes money to make things work. At the same time, how do you spend your money?” Ross said.

West said the school board had to consolidate the schools to save money as the student population has declined. The schools also suffered over the years from lack of maintenance, he said.

“When I am your county commissioner, I will work to maintain what we have, keep our facilities current, but also look to grow our economic base,” which will grow the tax base and generate more revenue to meet the county’s needs, West said

Evans criticized school consolidation as Ross did, and argued that the school board has not made good use of funding provided by the county..

“Each time that you give—we as the board of commissioners give—money to our school system, it’s up to them to decide what and how they’re going to spend the money,” he said. “Keeping up with those schools must not have been a priority for them.”

Providing Clean Water in the County

Patton also asked the candidates about forever chemicals contaminating groundwater. “If elected, what specific actions would you support to ensure all residents, particularly those in rural and unincorporated areas, have long-term access to safe, clean drinking water,” he asked.

“I drink PFAS water every day at the house. I shower in it,” said Ross, who lives in Gray’s Creek.

Now that the county is extending public water to the community to replace the contaminated wells, “Chemours and Dupont needs to pay for every hookup—everything,” Ross said. “And we need to tell our politicians, whoever’s in office: Hold them accountable, and if not, let’s lock them up.”

West said it was “absolutely ridiculous” that it took nine years since the water contamination was discovered in 2017 to install a waterline to two county elementary schools whose wellwater was tainted.

“It would be a priority to extend water, following the county land use plan, where it’s needed ahead of development, and drive development,” he said. “But mainly to keep our residents safe and healthy.”

Evans said he was the chair of the county commission when the county sued Chemours and Dupont for the PFAS contamination. PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of forever chemicals found in water, soil, and homes near the plant. Exposure to the chemicals is linked to an increased risk of cancer, thyroid disease, reproductive problems, and developmental delays in children, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“I would want to work with the Board of Commissioners to bring countywide water to Cumberland County,” he said. “It’s far beyond the time to do that.”

Jones said commissioners are pursuing countywide water.

“We’ve already spent $20 million dollars for Phase 1 Gray’s Creek,” she said, and $15 million for the next phase. People can see the plans on the county’s website, she said.

Cooperation with Municipalities

Patton asked the candidates how the county government should collaborate with Fayetteville and the county’s eight other municipalities “to ensure public dollars are used efficiently without duplicating services.”

This question comes as Fayetteville and Cumberland County have a task force trying to end a years-long dispute on how to merge their two 911 call centers.

West recalled that the sheriff in 2024 took deputies away from most public schools over a staffing shortage, and Fayetteville and Hope Mills partnered with the school board to replace some of them, and the school board hired outside security for others.

“There’s scarce resources,” West said. “But when there’s a will, people get in the same room, talk it out, and work it out. I will help be part of that, based on a track record of success.”

Evans said he would work with the municipalities.

“I know that it’s been difficult over some time—collaboration with different municipalities to make things happen for the betterment of our community,” he said. “But it’s essential that we do that.”

Jones cited the 911 task force as an example of successful collaboration between the municipalities and the county. She credited herself, board Chair Kirk deViere, Fayetteville Mayor Pro Tem Derrick Thompson, and others.

“Under this leadership, after all the other boards can’t get it done in 20 years, we got it done,” she said.

The 911 task force, which next meets on October 22, was set up after state Sen.Tom McInnis, at the behest of the county commissioners, in June attempted to pass a law to force the merger and put the county in control of the new 911 call center. Fayetteville leaders opposed this legislation after they learned about it. McInnis agreed to pause his legislation to give the city and county a chance to resolve the matter.

Ross cited the 911 center.

“You set guidelines up. You don’t worry about who gets the credit. You hold the person in charge responsible,” he said. “And if you follow the guidelines, it’ll work out fine. But don’t worry about who gets the credit. Just do the job.”

Senior reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at pwoolverton@cityviewnc.com.