Moore County votes to seek Davis Center repair bids despite $500K grant redirection

On Aug. 18, Moore County Commissioners voted 4-1 to seek repair bids for the vacant Davis Center instead of accepting a $500,000 state grant, but the General Assembly had already redirected those exact funds to local water infrastructure.

The General Assembly’s $500k originally budgeted grant for the Davis Center was redirected to the water infrastructure for Moore County on Aug. 11, only seven days prior. On Aug. 1, the idea was formally introduced by the conference committee working on the technical-corrections bill.

This may clarify why there was a push to send out bids instead of accepting the grant.

County Manager Wayne Vest read a statement about the $500 grant having restrictive conditions that would take time as the reason they wanted to send out bids.

“(44) The directed grant to Moore County for the Davis Community Center (Page F63, Item 432) shall instead be provided to Moore County in the same amount for water and wastewater infrastructure projects,” reads Session Law 2026-61 House Bill 268 signed into law on Aug. 11, 2026.

The Aug. 18 agenda, under Financial Impact: potential impacts, reads, “Reappropriating the $500,000 in the State budget to another Moore County project that would benefit from the funds.”

The vacant community building, the Davis Center, is on about 8 acres at 4799 N.C. Highway 705 in Robbins and has recreational areas.

The county’s community meals program and dance studio no longer use the facility. The former baseball field and grassy area remain available for community recreation.

People have expressed interest in the property, including an individual buyer, the Boys and Girls Club, and Dr. Davis.

The board plans to address deed restrictions on the property enacted by the Moore County School Board, which the board was already considering removing.

During discussion, Chairman Nick Picerno said the $500k was not sufficient for the list of repairs needed. He said to put it out for an upset bid.

There is a senior center in the northern end and southern end but not one in Robbins.

Chairman John Ritter said the best purpose was for the building to honor the history of the property and to serve all citizens. “Personally, I was so pleased the legislature would send us the money,” Ritter said. “I would still like to see that come to fruition,” he said about using the $500k and that he was “kind of torn” because he always wanted to hear more from the people who wanted to use the property. “I want the best for the community…The county could use that [$500k].”

Picerno said he had to correct Ritter, telling him that he did not represent that district.

“I love everybody. I’m voted on by everybody in Moore County. I just happen to live there,” Ritter said.

Chairman Tom Adams said they had a deteriorating asset, and it made sense to stabilize the asset.

Ritter voted against sending the repairs for the Davis Center out for bid.

Sandhills News will update with a statement from Picerno.

PFAS TESTING at LANDFILL

The board approved an amendment with S&ME Inc. to conduct additional PFAS tests at the county landfill as required by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ).

The amendment increases S &ME’s contract for 2026-27 by $73,100, from $115,000 to $188,100. The contract covers professional engineering, consulting and annual landfill monitoring services.

The original agreement was amended to read: “Engineer [S&ME] shall receive from the County a sum not to exceed $115,000.00 for County fiscal year July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026; $188,100.00 for County fiscal year July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027; and $185,000.00 for July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027 as full compensation for the new C&D Landfill Site Suitability Study for a total not to exceed amount of $488,100.00 July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.”

The county and S&ME had entered into the original agreement in Sept. 2020. The additional work covers PFAS testing required by NCDEQ.

RESOLUTION

The board adopted a resolution asking the North Carolina General Assembly to support Senate Bill 992 but oppose the burdensome notice requirements contained within the proposed legislation. Picerno said they opposed the proposed notification requirements because they would increase property taxes.

FIRE TRUCK

Jonathan Richardson, Fire Chief for Town of Pinebluff Jonathan Richardson and Public Safety Director Bryan Phillips updated the board on fire truck needs, and they approved their request for the Town of Pinebluff Fire and Rescue to purchase the 2004 Pierce Enforcer Rescue with the County portion not to exceed $72,479.

Pinebluff Fire and Rescue had submitted a request in Feb. 2025 to replace a rescue truck. The department found a used 2004 Pierce Enforcer from Iredell Rescue with 54,000 miles for $75,000. The truck is expected to provide about 10 more years of service and includes a light tower, breathing air cascade system and hydraulic extrication tools.

Iredell Rescue had purchased a larger truck.

The truck will need about $40,500 in repairs, lighting, graphics, lettering, tags and registration, bringing the estimated total cost to $115,500. The town board approved selling the current Rescue Truck No. 719 and purchasing the replacement. The existing truck has an estimated trade-in value of $10,000.

Pinebluff swapped its 2026 service vehicle funding for a medium rescue. The FY27 budget allocates $186k for a service vehicle and $389k for a medium rescue, making the used Pierce Enforcer a cheaper choice.

Commissioners adopted a proclamation for Sept. 17-23 as U.S. Constitution Week.

High school students aiming for college may be interested in a speech contest opportunity for scholarships. The contest is centered on the U.S. Constitution. Read about the American Legion Post 296 opportunity here.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Opponents to Flock cameras continued. Speakers said Flock spied on citizens, was unethical, that they wanted legislation to allow citizens to view audits, that they did not trust the unknown system, cameras were a violation of privacy rights, compared it to Communist China’s public surveillance and that growing technology risked privacy rights.

Matt Holway said the cameras had error rates resulting in “life-threatening police” actions. He was concerned about the lack of security in access.

Ellis Dominic said he had spoken to commissioners for three months and that the commissioners did not hear him because they instead relied on the sheriff.

Picerno explained that he set up the work session for the public to learn how the automatic license plate readers (ALPR) system was implemented and would investigate their questions. “I think probably one day we’ll truly be friends,” he said and added they had to follow legislation. He said it was possible they could bring the ALPR use to a vote, but it was, under legislation, in the hands of the sheriff.

Read Citizens cry “No Vote” over Moore County Flock camera use to view how the sheriff department is allowed to choose ALPR cameras. Under legislation, the sheriff departments must only follow regulations, not ask for permission to use ALPR, which would require a vote.

The next meeting is Sept. 1 at 5:30.

Aug. 20, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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