Up & Coming Weekly

FEBRUARY 17 - 23, 2010 UCW 5 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners met Feb. 6 to establish goals and strategies for 2010. We started the planning session with a somber budget update. As the county begins to develop the FY2011 budget, it faces diminishing revenue sources and mandatory expenditure increases related to a sluggish economy and state legislative requirements. In the next two months, the fi nance department will look at department requests, state mandates and other factors as they attempt to develop a recommended budget that addresses the board's priorities and provides for services to continue at current levels. We also reviewed last year's priorities — safe water, public safety and lowering the property tax rate to a projected revenue neutral rate. Two of those priorities — safe water and public safety — remain top goals for 2010. They are joined by countywide job creation and retention, and improved communications with other governing boards and with our citizens. As we continue to develop plans to provide clean, safe water to all residents of Cumberland County, our fi rst strategy will be establishing a clear and direct dialogue with the city and the Public Works Commission to determine if PWC is willing to extend water into the identifi ed project areas. We will also meet with other potential partners. In the next two months, we are inviting the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority to present a proposal for providing water to the Gray's Creek Water and Sewer District from its future Bladen Bluffs Regional Surface Water System. Finally, a work plan by the county's Public Utility Department for the six water projects was presented Saturday and will be updated as progress is made. Like safe water, public safety remains a priority in 2010. On Feb. 16, the county's Public Safety Task Force, created in late 2008, will present its fi ndings and recommendations to elected county and municipal offi cials. The commissioners will review that report and identify the next steps to take in improving fi re, EMS and communications services for our residents. As for expanding the county jail, I advised my fellow commissioners and the staff that I would be calling together a "jail summit" in the next two to three months with the Sheriff, the District Attorney, our judges and others to discuss this capital project, which had been on the county's timeline for 2012. The economy is foremost on everyone's mind. Bringing in new jobs to the community and retaining existing ones, including county government positions, are top goals, as well as attracting capital investment projects. Therefore, we have asked county management to clearly communicate to the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce our expectations regarding the county's return on investment in the chamber's economic development initiatives and to closely monitor their output. We have also asked the county manager to review our incentive polices and those of other counties. Management will also research counties that have in-house economic development operations. Job retention for county employees was placed under the economic development umbrella. Management will make every effort to avoid balancing the fi scal 2011 budget through employee furloughs or reductions in force. We have also asked for a review of departments with high vacancy levels, the reasons cited by employees for leaving, and whether mission is being affected. Communicating effectively with other governing boards, various groups and the public is vital if we are to achieve our goals of providing safe water, improving public safety and increasing economic development — efforts that will require important partners. For example, in the area of safe water, we will seek to be clear in making requests to the city and PWC, and schedule a face-to-face meeting with both groups. The county will also strive to keep citizens better informed regarding county services and issues through the use of social media, like Facebook and Twitter, and other outlets. The year ahead holds great challenges and great promise. We will face the problems head on and work to provide safe water, improve public safety, increase economic development and communicate more effectively. The commissioners have asked county staff to provide them with updates three times a year on the status of these goals, and we will post these updates to our Web site. BILLY R. KING, Chairman, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or or email editor@upandcomingweekly.com OPINION OPINION County Sets Priorities by BILLY R. KING "BUY ORIGINAL, BUY LOCAL" Cape Fear Studios 148 Maxwell St.• 433-2986 • capefearstudios.com CREATE, the Art of Fine Craft, February 25 - March 24, 2010 Hours: Monday - Friday 11am to 5 pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm Fayetteville Art Guild Gallery ONE13 • 113 Gillespie Street • 910-223-ARTS Spring Juried Art Show "Creative Impulse," February 26 – March 20, 2010 Opening Reception: Fourth Friday, February 26, 7 - 9pm. Awards at 8pm Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County 301 Hay St. ART OF THE MASTERS: A Survey of African American Images, 1980 - 2000 Through March 6, 2010. For gallery hours, visit www.TheArtsCouncil.com. Fayetteville Museum of Art at Festival Park Plaza • 225 Ray Avenue, presents Salvador Dali, February 12 - 28 • (910) 485-5121 FTCC Gallery - 1st Annual Juried Exhibition • February 19 - March 12. Opening Reception February 26 from 5 - 7pm. Gallery 208 208 Rowan St. • 484-6200 presents the art of "David McCormick" • Monday - Friday, 9am – 5pm The Visual Arts Alliance (VAA) is dedicated to building a vibrant and enduring visual arts community. Alliance Members: Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, Cape Fear Studios, Fayetteville Arts Guild, Fayetteville Museum of Art, Olde Town Gallery Fayetteville Technical Community College, and Rosenthal Gallery Fayetteville State University

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