At a meeting held Wednesday, the Moore County Board of Commissioners reviewed major capital projects and long-term priorities. The projects discussed ranged from school construction and courthouse renovations to emergency services, downtown redevelopment, and infrastructure planning.
Ongoing School Discussion
Long-discussed school construction projects in Moore County are expected to move forward as part of a bond referendum proposed for the November ballot.
County Manager Wayne Vest told commissioners Wednesday that discussions with Moore County Schools have centered on addressing overcrowding, particularly at Union Pines and Pinecrest high schools, which have exceeded capacity for several years.
Under the current direction, all proposed school projects would be bundled into a single bond referendum, rather than separated into multiple ballot questions. Vest said bond counsel advised against splitting the projects, despite the option being legally available.
“What we know right now is there would be one new elementary school and a new high school,” Vest confirmed. “There may also be renovations and upgrades to Union Pines and Pinecrest.”
Preliminary cost estimates place the new Carthage-area elementary school at more than $40 million, while a new high school is projected to cost approximately $157.7 million. Vest said additional milestones must be met before the referendum can be finalized, including clarity on ballot language and adherence to the November election deadline.
Vest added that issuing bonds would also trigger a review of the county’s bond rating, which could provide an opportunity for an upgrade if financial stability is demonstrated.
Commissioner Nick Picerno said recent meetings between county leaders and school officials had been productive.
“I feel like a bond between our boards could be reestablished,” Picerno said. “They laid out their needs, and I think the citizens would support it.”
Commissioner Tom Adams raised concerns about student demographics and attendance zones, particularly regarding the location of a new high school and how students would be reassigned.
“This is basically taking how you will shift students around to maintain the current demographics as they are in some of the high schools,” Adams said, asking that those considerations be part of the planning process.
Moore County Schools Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jenny Purvis said demographic balance and attendance zones will be evaluated through multiple scenarios as planning continues. She said consultants would examine student distribution, mileage, and enrollment data to determine how many students could be reassigned from Union Pines and Pinecrest.
Preliminary site analysis suggests a possible location along the N.C. 211 corridor, though Purvis said that assessment will be revisited.
“We don’t want to stick with what we were told two years ago,” Purvis said, noting that NC State will be asked to re-evaluate site options. “By the time of the bond, we won’t have it down to specific roads and homes, but we would know the general area.”
Commissioners’ Goals for 2026
The commissioners each, in turn, outlined individual priorities and long-term goals as part of a broader discussion on 2025 and 2026. The only commissioner who was not able to share his goals was Chair Kurt Cook, who was unable to attend the meeting.
Commissioner Nick Picerno:
• Eliminate formal task forces in favor of assigning two commissioners to oversee specific issues, reducing costs associated with public notices and meetings
• Work toward improving the county’s bond rating from AA to AAA, particularly ahead of anticipated school bond referendums
• Complete the Unified Development Ordinance update and align it with the county’s Land Use Plan
• Improve personal property rights while guiding growth toward appropriate areas of the county
• Maintain a revenue-neutral tax rate
• Create a dedicated capital fund for fire services by increasing the fire tax rate by one cent while reducing the general tax rate by one cent
Commissioner Jim Von Canon:
• Maintain the county’s current level of public safety and support for the Sheriff’s Office
• Work toward water independence to ensure a reliable supply of clean drinking water
• Address concerns from homeowners affected by nearby land clearing and development, particularly where damage has occurred with limited recourse
• Advocate for preserving High Falls Dam
Commissioner Tom Adams:
• Develop a countywide parks plan as part of the Land Use Plan, with particular attention to areas north of Carthage
• Explore funding mechanisms for future park development
• Advance renovations to the historic courthouse in Carthage, including exterior cleaning and improvements to public meeting spaces
• Evaluate long-term maintenance and construction standards for county-funded infrastructure projects
• Review drainage and surface issues at Union Pines’ athletic fields and consider long-term solutions rather than temporary repairs
Commissioner John Ritter:
• Continue pursuing solutions for the Seven Lakes business district in coordination with state legislators
• Maintain or improve the county’s bond rating in anticipation of future school construction projects
• Support efforts related to the Davis Community Center
• Complete outstanding work on the Unified Development Ordinance
Additional County Considerations
Pinehurst EMS site location: Commissioners reviewed plans for a new Pinehurst-area EMS base with a projected cost of $2.1 million and a possible completion date in spring 2027. The facility would be designed to meet Pinehurst’s development standards, with architectural details to be finalized later, and was described as providing long-term flexibility for county emergency services.
Downtown Carthage revitalization: Town of Carthage officials outlined a multi-phase downtown improvement project focused on pedestrian safety, traffic calming, stormwater management, and economic activity around the courthouse square. The project, supported by multiple state grants, includes narrowed travel lanes, pedestrian refuge islands, rain gardens, additional seating, and improved crosswalks, with all grant funds required to be spent by Dec. 31, 2026.
Historic courthouse renovations: County Director of Property Management Gene Boles reviewed major infrastructure needs at the historic Moore County Courthouse, including replacement of the HVAC system, electrical service, roof and windows, along with exterior limestone and mortar restoration. Preliminary estimates place roof, window, and limestone work at about $2.3 million, with additional costs for mechanical and electrical upgrades still unknown. The full project could take up to three years and would require temporary relocation of courthouse operations during construction, with commissioners considering the formation of a committee to refine cost estimates and select an architectural firm.
Davis Community Center: Commissioners discussed the future of the 8,600-square-foot Davis Community Center, which currently has limited use due to structural and mechanical issues. The building needs significant repairs, including roof, window, flooring, and HVAC replacement, with cost estimates still pending as officials consider how the facility could best serve northern Moore County.
School speed zones: The board revisited concerns about traffic safety near Fellowship Christian Academy and Union Pines High School. Commissioners discussed the need for common-sense safety measures, particularly in areas with young drivers, and would like to see a school zone speed limit lowered to 35 for consistency between the three schools in the area.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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