Hoke County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hoke County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Sheriff's Department Budget Amendments
The sheriff moved $25,000 in forfeiture funds into equipment, won permission to buy more vehicles with leftover capital outlay funds, and the jail added $110,000 for transportation-team vehicles. Taxpayer money is funding it, but the sheriff argued it keeps officers and residents safe.
Group Home Special Use Permits on Hector McNeill Road
Darrin McNeill has applied for eight special use permits to operate group homes on properties along Hector McNeill Road and Laurinburg Road. The Planning Board recommended approval in October, and residents will get a chance to weigh in at Monday's public hearing before the commissioners decide.
Tractor-trailer parking in residential neighborhoods
A Ravenwood resident asked for an ordinance banning semi-truck parking in neighborhoods, citing road damage, dumped motor oil near a future subdivision and watershed, and safety risks. Commissioners confirmed the 193-page zoning ordinance says nothing about it and directed the county attorney to help draft one.
Sheets gas station rezoning on Fayetteville Road
Commissioners approved rezoning half an acre at 8861 Fayetteville Road to Highway Commercial, likely bringing a Sheets convenience store and gas station near Cape Fear Valley Hospital. Neighbors from Woodbury subdivision worry about traffic on an already congested and accident-prone stretch of 401, 24-hour noise, and strain on the county's water supply — the county already buys water from PWC and has paused some building.
Water Restrictions
The county leases the former prison's water system from the state but wants to own it before investing millions; commissioners also want state rules cleared so private partners can help build wells.
Regional Water Treatment Plant Partnership
The county is splitting a $24,700 grant application cost with Robeson County to pursue a six-million-gallon-per-day water plant on Rockfish; Hoke would get half the water. Commissioners also pressed for the long-delayed PWC water contract amendment.
Jail and sheriff's office overtime shortfall
The Sheriff's Office and jail both ran short on overtime, medical, fuel and food lines; commissioners patched the gaps by moving lapsed hospitalization money and other funds so services aren't disrupted.
Starz Truck Stop Special Use Permit
A gas station near the county line wanted to become a truck stop with overnight parking. Neighbors worried about noise, refrigerated trucks running overnight, and dangerous traffic on Fayetteville Road. Commissioners approved it but required buffers and fencing before compliance, plus backed a $1,000 fine for existing violations.
Pool Road speeding and traffic safety
A resident says Pool Road has no clear speed limit markings and unsafe speeds, and a child was recently struck while riding a bike there. The chairman directed staff to contact NCDOT about the speed limit and possible signage.
Event center nuisance complaints on Posey Farms Road
A homeowner next to the Chobane Farms and Event Center described years of noise, trespassing, litter, traffic, drainage damage, and lost property value, and asked the county to enforce its ordinances. The board heard his complaint; no immediate action was announced.
Economic development and commercial water capacity
The county approved water allocations for a list of subdivisions in the PWC and 401 service zones and raised the allocation cap from 70% to 80%. Commissioners stressed there's no water shortage — the constraint is infrastructure in certain zones — and a test well in the Neil Sinclair area plus a larger pipeline on Highway 211 could open up more capacity.
Chestnut Drive cul-de-sac access and safety
Residents of Forest View say a developer cut through a cul-de-sac children used for play, bringing heavy equipment traffic and drainage problems. The county must first determine whether the road is public or private before it can act.
Hoke County Schools Funding Requests
Commissioners used the audit discussion to push for more school spending and urged school board members to pursue available state lottery repair-and-renovation funds — roughly $8 million — for capital projects.
Solid Waste Hauler Credits and Disposal Fees
Private haulers are collecting fees from customers while stacking up county disposal credits worth $150,000-plus each, some waste may be coming from outside the county, and unverified residency cost about $47,000 in yard debris fees. A revised ordinance targeting July 1 is in the works.
Residential growth strain on water, schools, and services
Even after approving this small site, commissioners said data centers are coming and the county needs a plan — one resident asked for a moratorium while the county studies the issue.
County Credit Rating and Debt Capacity
Chairman Leach warned the Board it can't keep plugging budget holes with fund balance — about $6 million of a gap remains after roughly $5 million was found. He urged creating new revenue and living within the County's means.
Quarter-cent sales tax referendum
Hoke residents already pay the extra 0.25% when shopping in Cumberland and Moore counties; putting it on the November ballot lets voters decide whether to capture that revenue locally for schools and public safety. It's advisory only — the Board would still have to act.
Rockfish Road Rezoning RZ-25-4
Nearly 20 acres on Rockfish Road were rezoned for future homes, over neighbors' objections about dangerous traffic near the school, water pressure problems, and the loss of their rural buffer. Commissioners say the actual subdivision would still need separate approvals.
Arson-detection K-9 for Fire Marshal's Office
Emergency Services wants an accelerant-detection dog since Moore County's K-9 retires next year and the next closest resources are hours away. A local businessman covered over half the $13,500 cost with a $7,000 donation.
Broadband access for underserved northwest Hoke County
The new OLT site will deliver fiber internet to about 400 homes that currently lack reliable service, using state grant funds. Commissioners framed it as essential for schools, jobs, and future growth.
Pennsylvania Transformer road funding
Rep. Garland Pierce landed another $383,000 in DOT money for road work around the plant, on top of $615,000 already awarded — a project expected to bring roughly 195 jobs.
FY2027 county budget process
All department requests are in; department heads appear before the board May 19-20, and the manager aims to deliver a balanced recommended budget by June 1 amid rising service costs.