Hoke County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hoke County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2026 Employee Christmas Bonuses
The county manager will report on Christmas bonuses for county employees in 2026, a use of county funds the board will hear about.
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.
Voluntary Agricultural Ordinance Update
The county is considering adopting an updated Voluntary Agricultural Ordinance, which affects how farmland and farming operations are recognized and protected in unincorporated areas.
County Fuel Point savings
The county's in-house fuel point saved about $288,000 in 12 months — beating projections by over $50,000 — and is on track to pay for itself in about four more months.
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.
Federal funding cuts hitting DSS and county budget
Vacancies at Social Services are slowing case processing; the county will pilot using lapsed salary funds to hire outside contractors to keep performance standards and state reimbursements on track.
Long-delayed animal shelter project
A resident pressed commissioners on the slow pace of the roughly half-million-dollar donated shelter project and on future staffing, cat facilities, and a communication committee.
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.