High school athletics, mental health, and community action took center stage during the recent Moore County Board of Commissioners meeting held on April 7.
Funding approved for high school athletics
Regarding high school athletics, the commissioners approved allocating $600,000 to support athletic facility projects at Pinecrest High School.
The board additionally voted to allow North Moore High School more flexibility in how it uses a previously approved $600,000 allocation that had originally been intended for artificial turf.
The decisions came after a timeline of proposals spanning several months. Previously, the commissioners voted on July 15, 2025, to allocate $600,000 each to Union Pines High School and North Moore High School for artificial turf projects.
Then, during a recent March 10 work session, commissioners received a funding request from the Pinecrest Athletics Club as part of a budget update. At that same meeting, Moore County Schools noted that North Moore High School may prefer to redirect its $600,000 allocation toward other athletic facility upgrades rather than turf installation
Interim Superintendent Jenny Purvis said the funding may be better spent on other athletic improvements.
Any specific projects funded through the allocation will still require approval from the board before work begins.
EMS Lease Agreement Updated
Commissioners approved a new lease agreement allowing Moore County EMS to continue operating out of a facility at Aberdeen Fire and Rescue on Holly Street.
The department has used the space since 1991. Under the new agreement, the monthly rent will increase from $625 to $750, bringing the cost more in line with similar EMS locations in the county. The new lease contract will run for a term of ten years.
“The facility supports our operational needs and continues to be a great partnership between the Town of Aberdeen and the County of Moore,” said Public Safety Director Bryan Phillips in his official memorandum to the Board of Commissioners.
Commissioners agreed that the partnership with the town of Aberdeen has supported emergency response operations for decades and unanimously approved the agreement.
Community Health Assessment
The Moore County Health Department presented its 2025 Community Health Assessment, a report required every three years to evaluate health trends and determine priorities for improving community well-being.
Health Director Matthew Garner presented an “executive summary and key findings” from the 2025 Community Health Assessment for Moore County.
According to Garner, the survey “incorporates a combination of quantitative data and qualitative community input. Data sources include state and local health statistics, hospital and provider data, and socioeconomic indicators, alongside community surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder interviews.”
Three priority areas emerged from the assessment: behavioral health (particularly mental health and substance use), access to health services such as primary care, dental care, and transportation, and broader social determinants of health, including housing costs and economic disparities.
“While many concerns identified in previous assessments persist—such as mental health, substance use, obesity, and access to care—new and pressing issues have emerged,” reads the official assessment as presented by Garner. “These include improving healthcare access, particularly noting gaps in insurance coverage for essential services, addressing social determinants of health, and increasing awareness of existing resources within the county. Continued growth and development present both opportunities and challenges in meeting these needs.”
According to the report, cancer and heart disease remain the leading causes of death in the county, while suicide ranks as the fifth leading cause of death among residents ages 0–19 and the third among those ages 20–39.
Survey data also indicated that 62% of respondents believe mental health is the most significant health issue affecting the community.
Findings report that transportation barriers, housing costs, and the high price of medical care also contribute to health challenges. For example, more than 42% of renters in the county are considered “cost burdened,” meaning they spend over 30% of their income on housing.
The assessment will guide the county’s Community Health Improvement Plan over the next three years as agencies and community partners work to address the identified priorities.
Other Actions
During the meeting, the commissioners also…
• Voted to request that the North Carolina General Assembly require state and local elections to be held in even-numbered years and to make all such elections partisan.
• Approved a joint resolution with Moore County Schools urging state lawmakers to restore funding for enhancement teachers, including art, music, and other elective instructors.
• Accepted approximately $72,000 from a nationwide opioid settlement with several pharmaceutical defendants.
• Received the annual report from the Nursing and Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee, which said volunteers logged more than 240 hours visiting long-term care facilities and advocating for residents.
• Recognized proclamations for National Lineman Appreciation Day, Child Abuse Prevention Month, and National Library Week.
• Noted a recent donation of 467 acres along Drowning Creek from the family of former state Rep. Clyde Almond for conservation purposes.
To watch the full video online, please click here.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Written by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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