Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lumberton public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
20 issues
Levee accreditation and floodgate progress
The floodgate got an extra $1.5 million in grant money plus approved change orders, but it won't be operational by June 1. Officials hope it works by the height of hurricane season in the fall.
Linkhaw Farms mixed-use subdivision annexation
Two massive annexation petitions — roughly 395 acres for a mixed-use development and 389 acres for a residential subdivision — moved forward, with the clerk directed to investigate. These could reshape growth on the city's edge.
Data center regulation
Council directed staff to draft an overlay ordinance regulating where and how data centers can develop, with rigid restrictions, responding to recent inquiries.
Christmas holiday schedule for city employees
After a spirited debate over costs and fairness to essential workers, employees get Dec. 24, 25, 28 plus an extra paid day on Wednesday, Dec. 23 — a win pushed by Councilman Rising.
Lead service line replacement
The city kept investing grant money in inventorying and replacing lead water pipes required by federal rules, and awarded the engineering work for sewer improvements.
Failing sewer infrastructure and emergency repairs
Council approved emergency replacement of collapsed sewer lines on three streets, a $2.17 million low-interest loan for broader sewer upgrades, and the RFQ for a $4.8 million lead service line replacement grant.
PFAS contamination settlement
Lumberton and Robeson County are getting a share of a $455 million settlement with Chemours over PFAS contamination in water. The money could help pay for local water-quality fixes, though the exact local amount isn’t specified.
FY 2026-2027 City Budget
The new budget holds the property tax rate at $0.65 per $100 but raises water and sewer rates 4% and includes a 3.5% cost-of-living raise for city workers plus an extra 1.5% for law enforcement. Electric rate adjustments will come before the council in August.
Dixie Boys World Series send-off
The city's 14U Dixie Boys baseball team won the state tournament and heads to the World Series in Louisiana, with the council chipping in travel help and LYBA reporting a banner summer that drew hundreds of hotel nights to town.
Olive Drive shopping center rezoning
A shopping center with retail and restaurants is coming to 2906 Olive Drive after the rezoning passed with conditions neighbors wanted: no vape shop, no gaming, and no driveways onto residential Olive Drive. A 20-foot buffer and opaque fencing will separate it from homes.
Linkhaw Road culvert flood project
After roughly 15-20 years in the making and a re-bid, the council awarded the $756,000 railroad culvert project on Linkhaw Road — a long-awaited flood mitigation fix.
Automotive establishment ordinance
New rules force auto shops, car washes and salvage yards to install opaque screening within one year or pay $200 a day. Council members agreed some properties in town badly need cleanup, and discussed how enforcement will work with landlords.
Electronic gaming center special use permit
Council members vented that fines and court actions haven't shut down illegal skill game operations, and staff flagged that landlords may be profiting from percentage arrangements. New approaches, including possibly targeting property owners, are being considered.
Homelessness and Panhandling Policy
Lumberton officials are weighing how to handle homelessness and panhandling, and the talks could turn into new city rules or services. Nothing is decided yet, but the outcome could affect people living on the streets and how downtown feels day to day.
AMI Smart Meter Project Change Order
The city's smart meter rollout needed 1,207 more electric meters and ten fewer large water meters than planned, adding about $95,000 to the project. Costs remain well under the $746,000 contingency built into the contract.
Litter and roadside cleanup
A longtime volunteer urged the city to start its own roadside litter pickup program after NCDOT barred him from interstate cleanup areas.
Elm Street angled parking feasibility
Staff will study narrowing Elm Street to one lane with angled parking between First and Second Streets to boost downtown parking and walkability. A recommendation comes back in August.
Production wells project rebid
The only bid for new wells 11-13 came in over budget, so the city will revise the scope and rebid in about five months — delaying new water capacity.
Farmers Market at Dick Taylor Plaza — safety and zoning questions
The downtown market's opening day drew 150–175 visitors, but Councilman Cantey warned that vendors on the plaza's outer sidewalk, combined with cut-through traffic from the closed Fifth Street bridge, creates safety risks. Council agreed to ask vendors to move inside the plaza.
RV park and campground ordinance amendments
Proposed changes would drop churches from the 2,000-foot spacing rule while keeping schools, require a city-approved logbook, and add civil penalties for violations.