Board of Commissioners

TOWN OF BURGAW BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING – BUDGET WORKSHOP DATE: May 27, 2015 TIME: 9:00 AM PLACE: Burgaw Municipal Building BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Eugene Mulligan Commissioners Jan Dawson, Wilfred Robbins, Charles Rooks and Elaine Tyson BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Pro-tem Howard N. Walker, Jr. STAFF PRESENT: Chad McEwen, Town Manager Sylvia W. Raynor, Town Clerk Robert Kenan, Town Attorney Bill Fay, Director of Public Works Ashley Loftis, Finance Officer Rebekah Roth, Planning Administrator Kristin Wells, Deputy Clerk Allen Wilson, Fire Administrator Clay Jasper, Firefighter MEDIA PRESENT: None INVOCATION: Commissioner Charles Rooks PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: All The meeting was called to order by Mayor Eugene Mulligan at 9:00AM. Mayor Mulligan turned the meeting over to Chad McEwen, Town Manager. Mr. McEwen presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed FY 2015-2016 budget (PowerPoint presentation attached). BOC MINUTES MAY 27, 2015 BUDGET WORKSHOP 1 BOC MINUTES MAY 27, 2015 BUDGET WORKSHOP 2 Upon completion of his presentation, Mr. McEwen asked if there were any questions regarding the proposed budget. There was much discussion regarding the proposed 10% sewer rate increase. Commissioner Rooks commented that since the town absorbed a rate increase last year, the public needs to be made aware that the town will not be able to absorb another increase this year. Mayor Mulligan asked if the budget is set at a 10% increase and the rates come in later at a lower rate, could we change the rates during the year. Mr. McEwen advised that once the rate is set there will be no going back and reducing the rate during the budget year. Commissioner Tyson said that since the town absorbed the increase last year, this year’s increase would counteract some of the previous increase. Commissioner Rooks said he feels we have a justifiable rate increase considering the circumstance. Mr. McEwen advised the fund balance has been cut down considerably due to last year’s increase and needs to be replenished; the rate increase will help with that. Mayor Mulligan asked several questions regarding the decrease in fund balance. Ms. Loftis and Mr. McEwen advised at the end of this year it will be a wash and the fund balance will come back closer to the previous 70%. Mayor Mulligan inquired about the merit pool. Mr. McEwen reviewed the process for rewarding merit increases to deserving employees. Mayor Mulligan asked about the significant expenditures such as the roundabout, the sidewalk to the senior center, the hydrants at the lift stations and the lift station rehab at the Village on Eighteen. Mr. McEwen advised the state will be paying for the roundabout and the sidewalk to the senior center; the town will cover the hydrants and the lift station repair. Commissioner Rooks expressed concern regarding the 100k that is budgeted for paving. He referenced the issues with paving Fremont Street and asked Mr. McEwen if we are underestimating the expenses for paving. Commissioner Rooks said his concern is that each year we are pulling money out of general fund and that maybe we should budget more during the budget process. After much discussion, there was a recommendation for staff to document what is done each year in order to have a record to look back on and to make determining needs for BOC MINUTES MAY 27, 2015 BUDGET WORKSHOP 3 paving more accurate. It was also suggested that paving proposals be prepared in conjunction with the annual budget planning in order to budget more efficiently. Commissioner Tyson asked if the administrative position in the police department was budgeted as full time or part time. Mr. McEwen advised that on Interim Chief Briley’s recommendation, the position was budgeted as full time and that the new chief would be allowed to hire his/her own assistant. There being no further discussion, Mayor Mulligan thanked the policy/finance committee and staff for a good job on the budget. Commissioner Tyson made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rooks and carried by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:56AM. _________________________________________ Eugene Mulligan, Mayor Attest: __________________________________ Sylvia W. Raynor, Town Clerk BOC MINUTES MAY 27, 2015 BUDGET WORKSHOP 4