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

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

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