Harnett County Commissioners approve $800K Ripple Fiber payment amid Flock camera concerns

Harnett County Commissioners learned of the county’s improved credit rating, approved Ripple Fiber’s final $800,000 payment, and citizens raised concerns about Flock cameras, alleged law enforcement misuse, and conditions at the sheriff department’s detention center.

Finance Director Kimberly Honeycutt announced that Moody’s increased the county bond rating from Aa1 to Aa2. The improved credit rating means, for example, a $100-million project’s finance charges would save the county $2 million.

Honeycutt said the goal was to be a triple A.

Harnett Regional Water and the Town of Coats have resolved past damage incidents. Ripple Fiber said as of Aug. 17, all complaints had been resolved.

There are about six other fiber companies in the area.

Commissioner Barbara McKoy said she had heard damage reports in Dunn from fiber companies.

Commissioner William Morris made the motion to pay Ripple Fiber its final payment and the board voted unanimously to pay the final payment.

Commissioners had delayed the $800,000 final payment to Ripple Fiber at the Aug. 11 meeting over questions about who will pay $600,000 in damages to county waterlines.

Read Harnett County Commissioners delay $800k Ripple Fiber payment for further details.

The Harnett County Board of Education relayed its appreciation for the commissioners and created a resolution of appreciation for their investment in facilities and for support to hire quality teachers to continue educating students.

During public comments, speakers said Harnett County law enforcement had recently misused Flock cameras to track a “paramour”, that the cameras were violating the 4^th Amendment, and expressed concerns about cameras recording personal information.

Read Citizens cry “No Vote” over Moore County Flock camera use to understand the Supreme Court ruling. Law enforcement can operate Automatic License Plate Reader camera systems independently. Sheriffs can adopt them without a vote, referendum, or ballot measure. Citizens cannot force county commissioners to hold a bond referendum vote on Flock camera funding.

Vice-Chairman Matt Nicol said Flock cameras had been in the county since 2021.

Elizabeth Longman spoke for Harnett County Sheriff candidate Reggie Watson, saying he would not use Flock cameras. She also spoke about the Harnett County Sheriff Department’s Detention Center needing improved safety measures and painting, rodents and bugs.

Rebecca Brock said the sheriff’s department did not have an ICE policy and asked about the recently reported Flock camera misuse by the sheriff’s department.

Jones formally requested the Sheriff’s Office secure Flock camera access logs. The deputies face no criminal charges; it’s a domestic and administrative matter. This follows allegations that Kymberly Parrish accused Harnett County Sheriff’s Detective Jayne Holland (who is dating Parrish’s estranged husband) and Detective Teresa Wells of using the county’s Flock camera network to monitor her trips to a family farm.

Commissioners honored Harnett County Veteran Hero Private First Class Sexton M. Vann.

The next meeting is Sept. 8 at 9 a.m.

Aug. 18, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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