Name as it appears on the ballot: Kia Anthony
Previous elected offices held: Spring Lake mayor, 4 years (elected in 2021)
Age as of Election Day: 44
Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): Self Employed at Just Cactus
Best phone number and email for voters to reach you. Website and campaign social media:
1. Give us your elevator pitch in 200 words or less. Why are you running for this office? What makes you the most qualified candidate?
I am running for reelection as Mayor of Spring Lake to continue building on the progress we have made together. When I took office, our town was under state financial control. Working with the Board of Commissioners, we restored stability, balanced our budgets, and rebuilt credibility. That foundation has allowed us to secure millions of dollars in state and federal funding to begin long-overdue water, sewer, and stormwater repairs, while also revitalizing our streets, parks, and neighborhoods.
I am the most qualified candidate because I have proven that I can lead through challenges and deliver results. My record includes removing the town from state oversight, prioritizing infrastructure, addressing blight, and creating new opportunities for business and community development. I have also worked to strengthen communication and transparency so residents can trust that their voices matter.
Spring Lake is stronger today than it was four years ago, and with steady leadership we can keep that momentum going. My commitment is to safe and reliable services, vibrant neighborhoods, and economic growth that benefits all residents. I am running to make sure Spring Lake’s future is one of stability, opportunity, and pride.
2. What do you view as the three most pressing issues facing Spring Lake? How will you address them as mayor?
The three most pressing issues facing Spring Lake are our water, sewer, and stormwater systems, the need to revitalize infrastructure and address blight, and ensuring public safety while building a healthy community.
Our utility systems suffered from decades of neglect, leaving us with leaks, failures, and high repair costs. As mayor, I have secured more than $6.7 million in FEMA and state funding for water and wastewater treatment repairs and $750,000 in GoldenLEAF funding for stormwater work. Moving forward, I will continue pursuing grants and partnerships to ensure reliable systems for every resident.
Revitalizing infrastructure means repairing streets and sidewalks, upgrading parks, and addressing the more than 100 blighted properties identified in town. We are using legal and financial tools to restore them to productive use and are reapplying for grants to support redevelopment. Programs like First Fridays on Main and improvements to Mendoza Park show how infrastructure and community life come together to strengthen our town.
Public safety remains a priority. We are committed to responsive policing, community engagement, and partnerships with state and federal agencies to keep our neighborhoods safe while fostering trust.
3. What’s the best or most important thing the Spring Lake Board of Commissioners has done in the past year? Additionally, name a decision you believe the board should have handled differently. Please explain your answers.
The most important step the Board of Commissioners has taken in the past year was adopting our new strategic plan. Spring Lake has a clear roadmap with measurable goals in place. This plan reflects input from staff, commissioners, and community members, and it aligns resources around four focus areas: reliable water and sewer systems, revitalized infrastructure, a safe and vibrant community, and economic development. Having this plan in place gives us accountability and direction as we move forward.
As with any governing body, there are times when decisions could have been approached differently. In some cases, discussions about timelines and implementation have caused delays in moving projects forward. While debate and differing views are part of the process, I believe clearer communication and quicker consensus would have served residents better. Even when I may not agree with every approach, my focus is always on collaboration and ensuring that we keep projects on track for the benefit of our community.
4. With the recent county tax revaluation, property taxes have gone up for many people. If elected, what would you do to address concerns from Spring Lake residents about higher tax bills while maintaining town services?
With the recent county tax revaluation, many residents have seen higher property tax bills. It is important to note that the Town of Spring Lake did not raise its tax rate. The increases are tied to the county’s revaluation process, not a decision by the town.
Right now, lowering the tax rate is not possible because of the financial realities we face. Our town is working to repair decades of neglect in water, sewer, and stormwater systems, and we are also dealing with the impact of the county changing the sales tax distribution from per capita to ad valorem. That change alone cost Spring Lake $1.9 million in annual revenue. These are serious pressures, and addressing them responsibly requires financial discipline.
Even with these challenges, we are protecting essential services like public safety, utilities, and parks while aggressively pursuing state and federal funding to ease the burden on local taxpayers. These steps allow us to keep moving forward without sacrificing what matters most to residents. The current situation is temporary. As our infrastructure is repaired, our revenues stabilize, and new growth takes hold, my goal is to eventually lower taxes so families can feel relief while still benefiting from strong services.
5. Spring Lake’s aging water and sewer systems have been a recurring issue for the town for quite some time. What is the best way to generate the revenue needed to provide residents with reliable water and sewer services?
Spring Lake’s water and sewer systems are among the most critical issues we face, and solving them requires both outside support and local responsibility. The best way to generate the revenue needed is through a balanced approach.
First, we aggressively pursue outside funding. Over the past two years, we have secured more than $6.7 million in FEMA and state funding for water and wastewater treatment system repairs and $750,000 in GoldenLEAF funding for stormwater improvements. These grants allow us to make progress without putting the full burden on local taxpayers.
Second, we have to take responsibility at the local level. The Board of Commissioners approved a 17% rate increase to stabilize funding for repairs and upgrades. While rate increases are never easy, they ensure that we can sustain services and qualify for matching funds from the state and federal government. Careful budgeting and planning make sure those dollars are spent efficiently.
Finally, investing now prevents higher costs later. Every leak or failure left unaddressed costs more in emergency repairs than it would to replace the system correctly. By planning ahead and combining grant dollars with local investment, we are building a utility system that is reliable, affordable, and sustainable for the long term.
6. How will you work to attract and retain new businesses and other development to Spring Lake? Name another municipality you believe has made smart decisions about sustainable growth and development, and describe what it has done that could be implemented in Spring Lake.
Attracting and retaining new businesses requires a clear plan and steady investment. Our economic development strategy, outlined in our strategic plan, focuses on creating the conditions for business growth and community vitality.
First, we are maintaining the infrastructure and amenities that make Spring Lake attractive to investors. Businesses need reliable utilities, safe streets, and a strong public safety presence. By prioritizing water, sewer, and stormwater upgrades alongside community policing, we are laying the foundation that every business looks for.
Second, we are revitalizing our commercial corridors. On Main Street, beautification efforts, new streetlights throughout town, and events like First Fridays on Main are showcasing merchants and drawing residents and visitors into the heart of Spring Lake. These efforts are giving businesses visibility and customers a reason to shop local.
Third, we are working to expand tourism and create an economic development toolkit that supports business recruitment and retention. Establishing an advisory committee of community leaders will help guide these efforts and build consensus.
Other towns show us the way forward. Sanford has paired industry recruitment with downtown revitalization, while Hope Mills has built sustainable growth through parks and community-centered investments. Spring Lake can apply these lessons by blending infrastructure improvements, Main Street revitalization, and community-driven development to attract businesses that want to stay and grow with us.
7. Nonprofits are seeing homeless encampments popping up in Spring Lake. What is needed to tackle homelessness in town, and how would you work to implement these solutions?
Homelessness is a complex issue that no town can solve on its own. In Spring Lake, we are seeing encampments emerge, and it is clear that we need both compassion and strong partnerships to address the problem.
The first step is collaboration. Homelessness does not stop at town borders, so working with Cumberland County, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations is essential. These partners provide the services, housing support, and case management that connect people to long-term stability. As mayor, I will continue to strengthen these partnerships and make sure Spring Lake has a seat at the table in countywide planning.
Second, we must link this issue to affordable housing. Our strategic plan already calls for preserving at-risk housing, identifying new sites, and turning blighted properties into productive use. By combining blight reduction with housing development, we can create pathways out of homelessness while revitalizing neighborhoods at the same time.
Finally, we have to balance public safety with dignity. Residents deserve safe, clean communities, and individuals experiencing homelessness deserve compassion and respect. Community policing, outreach, and targeted resources are the best tools for achieving both. Together, these approaches give Spring Lake a practical and humane path forward.