Drama at Harnett Commissioner meeting: New chair chosen, concerns raised

Harnett Commissioners reorganized their leadership, electing Duncan Edward Jaggers as chairman and Matt Nicol as vice chairman in the Dec. 1 meeting marked by dissent from Commissioner Barbara McKoy.

General Statute 153A‑39 directs the board of county commissioners to choose a chairman and vice-chairman at its first regular meeting in Dec. of each odd-numbered year, and at the first Monday in Dec. of each even-numbered year.

The new chairman is Duncan Edward Jaggers, and the new vice chairman is Matt Nicol, the former chairman.

McKoy did not vote in favor of either.

“Let me make a statement, please… I don’t think the process has been done right. It’s totally unfair to not include all the commissioners on who serves on this board. I don’t wanna serve as chair,” McKoy said.

Nicol said McKoy made the same statement every year.

“What’s happening here in Harnett County…This board does not consist of four people. It consists of five people…I’m telling you; I’m going to look into it. Every citizen in this county has seen this and knows it’s totally wrong. That’s how I serve my constituents in this county,” McKoy said.

During public comments, Eric Stevenson said he cared for his mother suffering from dementia and the county with 100,000 residents had only two social workers to assist.

Larry Mitchell asked the board to consider five minutes for public comments instead of only three when there were five or less people signed to speak.

Jaggers asked the board to consider Mitchell’s five minutes when five people spoke, and they said they will discuss it before the next meeting.

Mrs. Watts said her son was jumped and beaten in Jack Marley Park by a Hispanic gang and asked the board to be proactive against gang activity.

The next meeting is Dec. 9.

Dec. 1, 2025

Stephanie M. Sellers

Submit news tips, events and interview requests to editor@sandhills.news.