Harnett County advances innovation park, supports senior tax relief, sets animal center bylaws & learns of new detention center complaints

On Aug. 3, Harnett County Commissioners approved funding for the first phase of the Western Harnett Innovation Park, backed legislation for property tax relief for elderly and disabled homeowners, adopted new animal board bylaws, received updates on the county’s future animal adoption center and heard about the sheriff department’s new lawsuit.

The board approved an ordinance for a budget for the Western Harnett Innovation Park Phase I project.  

Phase I means developing 40 acres with site readiness, due diligence, design and engineering funded by Golden LEAF’s $656,051 award.

“It is right off Highway 87,” Economic Development Director Stephen Barrington said. “That’s just fantastic,” he said when the board approved the project’s budget.

Western Harnett Innovation Park is home to Central Carolina Community College’s West Harnett Training Center, with the Automotive Restoration Technology program, featuring an engine lab, upholstery lab, and wood fabrication shop.

Initial site work is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027. Future development phases will be explored upon completion of Phase 1.

The purpose of the park is to create higher-paying jobs.

Commissioners signed a resolution of support for North Carolina Senate Bill 2025-349 (SB349).

With SB 349, elderly and disabled homeowners could see enhanced property tax relief due to adjusted income limits and the elimination of previously deferred tax payments.

The legislation would revise the income eligibility for the Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exclusion, increasing the cap from $37,900 to $48,000, effective from July 1, 2025. The maximum amount would automatically be revised every year according to Social Security’s cost-of-living escalation.

More property owners would meet the criteria for a decrease in their property tax bills.

Chairman Duncan Jaggers said farmers become elderly, cannot always afford property taxes, and sell to developers and “we end up with more houses.”

The bill would terminate the tax deferral part of the Circuit Breaker program. Qualifying homeowners are permitted by current law to defer some property taxes, with the understanding that the postponed sum converts into a lien, requiring repayment at the time of the property’s sale, transfer, or the owner’s death. SB349 would erase future tax liabilities.

The bill is in review in the Senate Finance Committee.

County Commissioners adopted the Animal Services Advisory Board Bylaws as presented by Christopher Appel, the county’s senior attorney.

Notably, after recent violations, the commissioners requested frequent updates after the state became involved with allegations of inhumane euthanasia before the county commissioners were even aware of the problem.

The bylaws require the advisory board to report meeting attendance, topics of discussion and recommendations to the commissioners after each quarterly meeting. They must also report immediate concerns to the county manager and make presentations as requested.

Read the full bylaws beginning on page 78.

Deputy County Manager Coley Price and Megan Garrett with Moseley Designs updated the board on the Animal Adoption Center’s progress. Moseley representatives said they will advertise for package bids on Nov. 23 and begin construction Feb. 25, 2027.

The center plans 3 kennels at 3,033 square feet, 2 intake kennels at 9,623 square feet, and one building for staff and cats at 6,793 square feet, totaling 19,460 square feet.

The center will be able to house 85 dogs, 66 cats and 10 other animals at its location off U.S. Highway 421.

The board approved an order to bill and collect the personal and public service company taxes for the 2026-27 year and for delinquent taxes from 2016-2026.

Tax Administrator Christine Wallace reviewed the 2025 Tax Levy. The county billed for $82,782,474.83. It discovered an additional levy of $1.043,245.58 and charged a total of $84,161,355.69.

With motor vehicles, the county billed a total of $96,784,255.34 and collected $95,513,665.21, which was a 98.69% collection rate.

During public comments, Elizabeth Longman criticized the Harnett County Sheriff Department’s Detention Center, citing vermin and faulty bathrooms.

The Harnett County Sheriff Department was hit with another lawsuit on Friday. A female detainee alleged she was sexually abused by two deputies during her stay at the detention center between August and October 2023. One deputy named in the complaint was sentenced to 23 years in prison after an investigation in 2023 that uncovered crimes against children.

Concerning the future of the sheriff’s department, Sheriff Wayne Coats did not file for reelection. He is named in Friday’s lawsuit.

Major Aaron Meredith, who is over the detention center, is running for sheriff in the Nov. 2026 election against Reggie Watson.

Read Harnett County hears sheriff candidates’ Q & A to understand perspectives and the problems under the existing leadership.

The next meeting is Aug. 11 at 9 a.m.

Aug. 3, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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