TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Douglas J. Hewett, ICMA-CM, City Manager
FROM: Dr. Andrew Mansell, Senior Assistant to the City Manager
DATE: May 26, 2026
RE:Title
Authorize the City Manager to renew the Memorandum of Agreement with Cumberland County Schools. to provide Resource Officer (SRO) and Traffic Control Officer (TCO) - Renewal of Memorandum of Agreement with Cumberland County Schools.Title
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Priority One: Ongoing commitment to a comprehensive approach to community safety.
Executive Summary:
City Council is asked to grant final approval and authorize the City Manager to execute the renewed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County Schools (CCS) for the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. Following the staff presentation of the negotiated renewal terms, Council previously voted to move forward with the renewal. CCS has since transmitted the official, executable contract to the City. This action authorizes the City Manager to sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
Background:
The City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County Schools current MOA covers FY26 (July 2025 - June 2026) and expires on June 30, 2026. Staff previously presented the negotiated renewal terms to City Council, including the SRO Program Overview outlining program goals, deployment, role and accountability structure, budget, and the negotiated renewal package. Council reviewed the negotiated terms and voted to move forward with renewal, directing staff to notify CCS of the City's intent prior to the April 15, 2026 deadline. CCS has since prepared and transmitted the official executable agreement to the City for signature.
Issues/Analysis:
The contract received from CCS reflects the terms previously negotiated by staff and endorsed by Council, including:
• Full freight service - the agreement is completely cost-neutral to the City for both SROs and Traffic Control Officers (TCOs);
• Three-year contract term (replacing the prior annual term), with a 12-month notice of non-renewal that preserves the City's flexibility;
• Continuation of the existing SRO deployment model - 18 SROs covering 9 high schools, 6 middle schools, and 3 floating districts (Campbellton, Cross Creek, and Central);
• Reaffirmation that SROs remain FPD employees under the Chief of Police's chain of command at all times, with clear boundaries that SROs enforce criminal law only and do not serve as school disciplinarians (MOA Section 3.6);
• Red light camera funding consistent with the prior arrangement (all proceeds paid to CCS; CCS pays vendor fees) as that program is reestablished; and
• A commitment by both parties to include future conversations regarding potential incorporation of the Occupational Course of Study (OCS) program as an alternative safety position.
Budget Impact:
Execution of the renewed MOA carries no net cost to the City. CCS reimburses the City for the actual salary and benefits of assigned SROs - not a flat fee. The City will continue to invoice CCS quarterly, and CCS will remit payment within 30 days of invoice.
Options:
• Option A - Approve the renewed MOA as transmitted by Cumberland County Schools and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City.
• Option B - Decline to authorize execution and provide further direction to staff.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
Authorize the City Manager to renew the Memorandum of Agreement with Cumberland County Schools. to provide Resource Officer (SRO) and Traffic Control Officer (TCO) - Renewal of Memorandum of Agreement with Cumberland County Schools.Title
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Attachments:
26-27 City of Fayetteville SRO MOA, 26-27 City of Fayetteville TCO MOA