TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Douglas J. Hewett, ICMA-CM, City Manager
FROM: Brook Redding, MPA, PMP, Senior Assistant to the City Manager
Tyshica Smith-Tucker, Recreation Program Coordinator
DATE: August 25, 2025
RE:Title
Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council (FCYC) - Junior Mayor Program EstablishmentTitle
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
ALL
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 1: Safe and Secure Community - Support youth engagement that fosters civic pride and responsibility.
Goal 4: Live, Work, and Recreate - Enhance opportunities for youth leadership and community participation.
Goal 6: Collaborative City Government - Strengthen partnerships with Cumberland County through shared youth programs.
Executive Summary:
In May 2025, as part of the Public Safety and Youth Engagement motions, City Council directed staff to create a Junior Mayor program. Working with Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation staff who manage the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council (FCYC), staff have developed a plan to implement the Junior Mayor position by rebranding the existing FCYC Chair role.
The Junior Mayor will serve as the youth leadership representative for the FCYC, presiding over meetings, coordinating initiatives, and providing quarterly updates to City Council on FCYC activities and accomplishments. This inaugural program year will run September 2025 through May 2026.
Background:
The FCYC is a joint City-County initiative that provides high school students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, engage in civic projects, and represent youth interests to local government.
The FCYC Executive Board includes roles such as Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and committee chairs. The Chair role is a two-year position responsible for leading meetings, coordinating with the Advisor, and overseeing communications.
Following Council’s directive, staff met with the FCYC Advisor and Parks & Recreation leadership to rebrand the Chair role as “Junior Mayor,” retaining all core responsibilities while adding a formal quarterly report to City Council.
This program will operate within the current FCYC structure, maintaining County participation and funding, and preserving all existing policies and procedures.
Issues/Analysis:
Role Definition: The Junior Mayor will carry out all Chair duties as described in the FCYC Executive Board Roles and Responsibilities, with the added responsibility of quarterly presentations to Council.
Program Visibility: Marketing and Communications will develop promotional materials to highlight the new Junior Mayor role and recruit future participants.
Budget Impact:
No new funding is required. The program will be implemented within existing FCYC and Parks & Recreation budgets.
Options:
Receive the report of the establishment of the Junior Mayor role within the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council Executive Board.
Direct staff to adjust the role title or responsibilities before launch.
Defer the program for further review.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
For information only, no action required unless Council moves to add to an upcoming Work Session.
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Attachments:
FCYC - Junior Mayor and Board Roles and Responsibilities.pdf