Board of Commissioners

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS May 5, 2025 MINUTES PRE-MEETING - 4:30PM Mayor Washam called the Pre-meeting to order at 4:40PM. Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(3) and (5) PID #003-177-15 Mayor Washam called for a motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(3) and (5) PID #003-177-15. Commissioner Carney made a motion to go into Closed Session at 4:41PM. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Upon return from the Closed Session at 5:42PM, the following Pre-meeting items were covered: Agenda Review Manager Grant provided an overview of the 6PM agenda items. FY26 Budget Workshop - cont'd. Manager Grant provided the Board with a quick update on the changes made to the draft FY26 budget with no tax increase. Commissioner Osborne made a motion to adjourn the Pre-meeting at 5:58PM. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. REGULAR MEETING - 6:00PM 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Washam to call the meeting to order at 6:11PM. 2. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM All commissioners were present at the meeting. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Washam requested that the agenda be amended to add 13A Closed Session. Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to amend and approve the agenda as requested. Commissioner Carney seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 05/05/2025 Regular Meeting Page 1 4. MOMENT OF SILENCE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Washam led the pledge after a moment of silence was observed. 5. CITIZEN CONCERNS/COMMENTS Chad Robinson – 18007 Nantz Road, spoke in opposition to the recent rezoning proposal REZ 02- 25 Nantz Road. Lee Fleming – 18625 Nantz Road, spoke in opposition to the recent rezoning proposal REZ 02-25 Nantz Road. 6. REPORTS HR Director Andrea Clemmer reported on the following: • North Carolina Department of Labor Work Safety Awards o Town Hall employee’s 10th year award for workplace safety o Public Works Department 5th year award for workplace safety o Fire Department 1st year award for workplace safety Public Information Officer Emma Mondo reported on the following: • Town Talk will be held on May 29th at H2 Public House featuring the FY26 Budget 7. MAYORAL PROCLAMATIONS A. Small Business Week Mayor Washam read the Small Business Week Proclamation and then presented two executed copies to Bill Russell, president of the Lake Norman Chamber and Jim Vogel, chairman of the Lake Norman Small Business Network. B. Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence 250th Anniversary Mayor Washam read the Meck Dec Day Proclamation and presented an executed copy to members of the Alexandriana Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution. C. National Police Week Mayor Washam read the National Police Week Proclamation and presented an executed copy to Chief Baucom and CPD officers that were present. 8. PRESENTATION A. Manager's Recommended FY2026 Operating Budget and Tax Rate Manager Grant presented his FY26 recommended budget and property tax rate of 17.31 cents per $100 of assessed value (no change in current tax rate). Noting that the Town’s Fund Balance Policy will be in violation in FY29 according to the forecast projections. He outlined budgetary items according to the top four citizen priorities identified in the citizen budget survey results; critical needs, such as IT/cyber security, community development, Infrastructure Capital Reserve Fund, retention/recruitment; revenues; debt service; and operations. The FY26 Electric Fund budget is recommended with a 5% rate increase. Additional details are available online at www.cornelius.org. Mayor Washam stated that it has been a challenging budget to get through with no tax increase, but thanks to Manager Grant and staff they made it happen. 05/05/2025 Regular Meeting Page 2  Commissioner Higgins stressed the importance of personnel, various projects and safety matters being addressed in the FY26 proposed budget. He thanked Manager Grant and staff. Commissioner Sansbury stressed the importance of having a budget plan/policy for funding the Fire Department Transition Plan to ensure the necessary funds are there throughout the transition. Commissioner Osborne stated that he supports creating a plan/policy for looking forward, as well as when the appropriate time is for selling and paying for bonds. He also thanked staff for being successful in receiving alternate funding ($23M CRTPO discretionary funds) and added that 87% of the personnel increase is going towards public safety. Commissioner Carney stressed the importance of managing the Town’s funding and borrowing as revenues start to level out instead of increasing as experienced in past years. Commissioner Johnson thanked Manager Grant for his thorough presentation and for using funds available for one-time costs that have made positive impacts in the community. Mayor Washam stated that the fund balance of $39M is a bit misleading when you consider the commitments tied to it. The true amount that is discretionary is approximately $3M. He supports setting policies for funding the fire department’s transition plan and addressing Town debt. Manager Grant stated that the policies set by this Board are non-binding to future Boards; however, he is happy to develop policies that could say future Town Boards should consider potential tax increases for things such as bond sales, fire department transition plan and other major/significant expenses. 9. PUBLIC HEARING A. FY2026 Operating Budget and Tax Rate Mayor Washam called for a motion to open the public hearing for the FY26 operating budget and tax rate. The public notice is attached hereto. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to open the public hearing for the FY26 budget and tax rate. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Mayor Washam invited the public to speak. There being no comments, he called for a motion to continue the public hearing until May 19th. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to continue the public hearing until May 19th. Commissioner Higgins seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 10. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL A. Resolution Authorizing Participation in the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool and Interlocal Agreement for a Group Self-Insurance Pool for Benefit Risk Sharing HR Director Andrea Clemmer explained that the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) notified the Town that they would be discontinuing the fully funded health insurance pool, therefore, other insurance options have been explored to determine the best replacement option. She recommended participating in the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool (NCHIP) which is a self-funded medical insurance pool owned by local governments in North Carolina and managed by Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. 05/05/2025 Regular Meeting Page 3  Commissioner Higgins made a motion to approve Resolution #2025-01166 authorizing the participation in the North Carolina Health Insurance Pool as presented and approve the Interlocal Agreement as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Resolution #2025-01166 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. A. FY25 Operating Budget Amendment Finance Director Niswonger explained that the budget amendment is to establish a portion of reserves required to join the pool in the amount of $100K. Commissioner Sansbury made a motion to approve Ordinance #2025-00872 amending the FY25 budget as presented. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Ordinance #2025-00872 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. B. Resolution of Opposition for House Bill 765 Deputy Manager Herron explained that HB 765 is poised to dismantle local land-use planning and regulations. He outlined what the bill includes and gave examples of how Cornelius will be impacted by this proposed legislation. Commissioner Carney made a motion to approve Resolution #2025-01167 opposing HB 765. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Resolution #2025-01167 is hereby made part of the minutes by reference. 11. CONSENT AGENDA A. Interlocal Agreement with CRTPO for Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Funding (Approved 5-0) B. Approve Minutes from April 21st – Regular Meeting (Approved 5-0) Commissioner Osborne made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 12. COMMISSIONER CONCERNS No concerns were raised. 13. CLOSED SESSION A. Closed Session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(3) and (5) PID #003-177-15 Mayor Washam called for a motion to go into Closed Session to continue from the Pre- meeting. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to go into Closed Session at 7:51PM. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. 05/05/2025 Regular Meeting Page 4 14. ADJOURNMENT Upon return from Closed Session and there being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Carney made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:42PM. Commissioner Sansbury seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously, 5-0. Approved this 19th day of May 2025. ATTEST: Scott Higgins, Mayor Pro-tem Lori A Harrell, Town Clerk 05/05/2025 Regular Meeting Page 5  AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION Account # Order Number Identification Order PO Cols Depth 34684 658902 Print Legal Ad-IPL02308330 - IPL0230833 1 16 L Attention: Accounts Payable North Carolina } ss TOWN OF CORNELIUS Mecklenburg County } PO BOX 399 Before the undersigned, a Notary Public of said CORNELIUS, NC 28031 County and State, duly authorized to administer oaths affirmations, etc., personally appeared, accountspayable@cornelius.org being duly sworn or affirmed according to law, doth depose and say that he/she is a representative of The Charlotte Observer Publishing Company, a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the State of Delaware, and publishing a newspaper known as The Charlotte Observer in the city of Charlotte, County of Mecklenburg, and State of North Carolina and that as such he/she is familiar with the books, records, files, and business of said Corporation and by reference to the files of said publication, the attached advertisement was inserted. The following is correctly copied from the books and files of the aforesaid Corporation and Publication. 1 insertion(s) published on: 05/02/25 In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal on the 2nd day of May,2025 Notary Public in and for the state of South Carolina, residing in Beaufort County Extra charge for lost or duplicate affidavits. Legal document please do not destroy!