Board of Commissioners – Special Meeting – Budget Review – May 18, 2020

Meeting Agenda

0:00:00 |

The Board of Commissioners will hold a remote meeting using the Zoom remote meeting platform on Monday, May 18, 2020 starting at
6:00 pm for a workshop on the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget.

Agenda and supporting documentation that was presented during the meeting

0:00:08 |

Meeting Begins

Hazen Blodgett – Town Manager – Presents the budget

0:01:06 |

Overview – Impacts of COVID-19 lockdown

0:04:00 |

Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Budget Recap

0:04:01 |

Question: Commissioner Renee Garner – Does sales tax figure include online sales
Reply: Hazen Blodgett

0:05:16 |

Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Set Cost Increases

0:07:30 |

Base salary increases to remain competitive

0:08:52 |

Addressing using monies from the fund balance

0:09:45 |

Possibly deferring capital improvements

0:10:05 |

Revenues are looking strong for this fiscal year

0:11:50 |

Question: Mayor Higdon – Why does the town manager feel that tax revenue will be strong during COVID-19 episode
Reply: Hazen Blodgett

0:13:32 |

Comment: Becky Hawke – Asst Town Manager – Optimism based on Mecklenburg county projections

0:15:38 |

Question: Commissioner Jeff Miller – What percentage of income is ad volorem taxes
Reply: Hazen Blodgett – 59%

0:16:17 |

Comment: Commissioner Renee Garner – Optimism for revenue should be tempered by caution of recovery period
Reply: Hazen Blodgett

0:18:40 |

Recommendation for raises for employees

0:19:03 |

Comment: Commissioner Ken McCool – Feels that fund balance should not be touched until there is more centainty
Reply: Hazen Blodgett
General discussion ensues about fund balance appropriation

0:22:10 |

Comment: Mayor Higdon – Does not want to delay survellance cameras or hardening police station
Reply: Hazen Blodgett – Perhaps wait until audit to make expenditure decisions
General discussion ensues about how to use fund balance

0:32:22 |

Comment: Commissioner Larry Whitley – Defends the salary increases for fire, police and public works
General discussion ensues about salary increases

0:41:00 |

Comment: Commissioner John Urban – Opposes any salary increases for any elected or town staff personnel

0:44:50 |

Question: Commissioner Jeff Miller – When will restaurants be allowed to reopen
Reply: Hazen Blodgett
General discussion about health statistics affecting reopening

0:48:20 |

Comment: Commissioner Larry Whitley – Restating his position on commissioners receiving pay raise
Reply: Hazen Blodgett – Re-emphasing the need for pay raises to be competitive
General discussion ensues about pay raises for staff with relation to surrounding towns
Discussion transforms into a general topic of how the COVID-19 will affect the economy
Heated conversation about pay raises for staff and elected officials continues
Conversation includes longevity pay and other pay incentives

1:16:18 |

Comment: Commissioner Jeff Miller – Insisting that the lease parameters for the library be settled soon
Reply: Hazen Blodgett

1:19:18 |

Comment: Jay Camp – Director of Planning – Revising 10 year plan

1:19:37 |

Comment: Commissioner Larry Whitley – Bond referendum
Discussion ensues about bond referendum

1:20:43 |

Question: Commissioner Renee Garner – Where is funding for community center window replacement
Reply: Hazen Blodgett
General discussion ensues about window replacement costs and other community center improvements

1:26:10 |

Request: Commissioner Renee Garner – Wants to see reports from town departments prior to next budget session

1:29:50 |

Comments: Rob Kinninburgh – Fire Chief – Passionate statements about insufficient staff and budget to run the fire
department
Discussion ensues about dificiency in fire department budget

1:37:08 |

Comment: Commissioner Jeff Miller – Disputing cost of ballards in front of police station
Reply: Clark Pennington – Police Chief

1:38:25 |

Comment: Commissioner Jeff Miller – Disputing cost of security cameras
Reply: Clark Pennington – Police Chief

1:40:28 |

Closing Comments: Mayor John Higdon

1:41:16 |

Adjourn