Cumberland County Board of Commissioners District 2: Karla Icaza

Name as it appears on the ballot: Karla Icaza

Party affiliation: Democrat

Previous elected offices held: N/A

Age as of Election Day: 44

Immediate family members: Father, Carlos Icaza

Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): Retired Army/Medic

Website and campaign social media: voteicaza.com

1. What three projects or proposals will you present to the board, and to county residents, if you’re elected? And what (if any) projects or proposals would you seek to eliminate and why?

My top priority will be working with PWC to extend clean water lines to areas most affected, like Gray’s Creek, and developing a comprehensive plan for other impacted regions along the Cape Fear River. We must collaborate with the legislature to secure funding and explore federal grants to support this effort. Second, I will focus on fully funding our schools. Economic growth is directly tied to the quality of education, and we need strong programs to prepare students for the jobs new businesses bring. Lastly, I will champion a mental health initiative for our Homeless Center by partnering with local mental health professionals and leveraging graduate programs to provide care through internships, which will reduce costs. We must prioritize these essential services over discretionary projects like museums and arts buildings, ensuring that our budget reflects the community’s needs first.

2. The two Republican commissioners, Jimmy Keefe and Michael Boose, will move off the board in December. They’ve said it’s difficult for Republicans to accomplish much on the board as it’s presently constituted. What’s your response to that, and how would you answer a claim that this board doesn’t promote bipartisanship?

While I can’t speak to all the details, I know this: governing should not be divided by party lines, especially at the county level. Unlike the legislature, our county commission seats are bipartisan, and we must work together for the people we serve. Water and infrastructure, education funding, economic development, and access to medical and mental health services are not partisan issues — they are people issues. It’s our duty as servant leaders to put the needs of our constituents first, above political differences. If you can’t collaborate to solve these pressing problems, step aside and let someone who will.

3. Discuss how you and this board would address PFAS contamination and the other environmental-related problems facing Cumberland County.

PFAS contamination is a serious issue, and finding clean water for our constituents is a top priority. In the short term, I will work with PWC to ensure they’re using effective filtration systems, like activated carbon or reverse osmosis, to protect our water supply. We also need to hold the companies responsible accountable, pushing them to provide assistance to those affected. For the long term, we must explore new, sustainable water sources. Addressing these challenges will require careful budgeting and innovative solutions to ensure our community has access to safe water.

4. Declining enrollment and the end of COVID-related federal funding present Cumberland County’s public school system with some significant fiscal challenges. How will the board of commissioners help mitigate those challenges?

This issue must be a priority, and as always, it comes down to funding. We need to be creative and ensure we focus on needs before wants. If necessary, we should reallocate money from other projects to fully fund our schools. Our children’s education must come first.

5. What role does the board have in cultivating better collaboration with the other governmental bodies in Cumberland County, such as the Fayetteville City Council, and what are some examples of synergy that could be produced with more collaboration?

The Cumberland County commissioners serve as a crucial link between the state and city. Our responsibility is to advocate for the needs of our city and county at the legislative level. Strengthening collaboration with both the city and the legislature is essential. We can work more closely with the city to secure resources for the Homeless Center and with the legislature to obtain funding for clean water and our schools. Together, we can address these challenges effectively.