Board of Commissioners – Special Meeting – Budget Review – May 18, 2020
Meeting Agenda
| 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
6:00 pm for a workshop on the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget.
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
Question: Commissioner Renee Garner – Does sales tax figure include online sales
Reply: Hazen Blodgett
0:05:16 | Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Set Cost Increases
Base salary increases to remain competitive
Addressing using monies from the fund balance
Possibly deferring capital improvements
Revenues are looking strong for this fiscal year
Question: Mayor Higdon – Why does the town manager feel that tax revenue will be strong during COVID-19 episode
Reply: Hazen Blodgett
Comment: Becky Hawke – Asst Town Manager – Optimism based on Mecklenburg county projections
Question: Commissioner Jeff Miller – What percentage of income is ad volorem taxes
Reply: Hazen Blodgett – 59%
Comment: Commissioner Renee Garner – Optimism for revenue should be tempered by caution of recovery period
Reply: Hazen Blodgett
Recommendation for raises for employees
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
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
Comment: Commissioner Larry Whitley – Defends the salary increases for fire, police and public works
General discussion ensues about salary increases
Comment: Commissioner John Urban – Opposes any salary increases for any elected or town staff personnel
Question: Commissioner Jeff Miller – When will restaurants be allowed to reopen
Reply: Hazen Blodgett
General discussion about health statistics affecting reopening
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
Comment: Commissioner Jeff Miller – Insisting that the lease parameters for the library be settled soon
Reply: Hazen Blodgett
Comment: Jay Camp – Director of Planning – Revising 10 year plan
Comment: Commissioner Larry Whitley – Bond referendum
Discussion ensues about bond referendum
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
Request: Commissioner Renee Garner – Wants to see reports from town departments prior to next budget session
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
Comment: Commissioner Jeff Miller – Disputing cost of ballards in front of police station
Reply: Clark Pennington – Police Chief
Comment: Commissioner Jeff Miller – Disputing cost of security cameras
Reply: Clark Pennington – Police Chief
Closing Comments: Mayor John Higdon
Adjourn