Following a closed session, the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to extend Town Manager Chancer McLaughlin’s contract for another two years. The new contract takes effect March 1 of this year and runs through March 1, 2027, with an annual salary of $140,000.
The minutes from the closed session, which lasted about 35 minutes, were sealed, with no action taken.
According to ZipRecruiter, as of February 2025, the average salary for a town manager in North Carolina was $108,407 per year. Most salaries range from $96,800 to $128,600, with top earners making $144,953.
According to a CityView report, McLaughlin has been with the town since 2015, previously serving as the town’s planning director, economic development director and development services director, overseeing code enforcement while also serving as interim town manager.
Regarding the promotion and contract extension, Bellflowers told CityView they have confidence in McLaughlin.
“The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners reviewed Town Manager Chancer Mclaughlin’s past year accomplishments and next year’s opportunities toward building a culture of continuous improvement for residents and businesses,” said Bellflowers. “During the review, Mr. Mclaughlin expressed the confidence he has in our community and the board agreed by having confidence in his leadership abilities, dedication, work ethic; and, looks forward to continuing a productive relationship in coming years.”
At the start of the commissioners’ meeting, McLaughlin provided an update on last Monday’s 20-acre brush fire near Jack Britt High School.
“The deputy fire chief has indicated the fire is under control and has been handed over to the North Carolina Forestry Service, which will be monitoring the area for the next few days until it is completely extinguished,” McLaughlin said. “The N.C. Forestry Service has also placed a double fireline around the fire to keep it contained, and it is expected to smolder for the next few days, possibly a week.”
According to ncagr.gov, North Carolina’s Forest Service reported 1,935 wildfires in the state since January 1, burning just over 5,179 acres.
Town Deputy Fire Chief Robert Hurlburt told CityView that wildfires are common this time of year due to dry weather and a lack of rain.
“It just takes a spark,” Hurlburt said. He added that the fire was near a homeless encampment but could not confirm the cause, as the investigation is still ongoing.
Other town business
The board unanimously approved a non-contiguous annexation of 4.96 acres at 140 Missy Byrd Drive, which encompasses Lot 7 of the All American Business Park. The town’s planning staff intends to zone the property as a planned commercial district with conditional zoning.
Additionally, the board reviewed an initial zoning request for 10.06 acres of undeveloped land on Applebury Lane off Cumberland Road. The request proposed zoning the land as a residential and planned commercial district, with plans for future town home construction. The board unanimously approved the zoning request.
The board also heard budget requests from various town committees. These requests will help guide funding decisions during the upcoming budget retreat on Thursday at the John W. Hodges Public Safety Center.