Town Council Workshop

TOWN OF WEAVERVILLE AGENDA Town Hall/Community Room March 18, 2025 at 6:00 pm 30 South MainStreet, Weaverville, NC 28787 Town Council Regular Budget Workshop 1. Call to Order .................................................................................................................... Mayor Fitzsimmons 2. Pre-Budget Overview ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Interim Manager Harris Conversation focused on context for Reorganization, Capital Projects, Equipment, and Personnel Needs A. Budget Officer’s Statutory Responsibility B. Current Conditions and Projections C. Concentration on Sustainability and Resiliency in Service Delivery for High Growth Environment D. Departmental Reorganizations E. Capital Projects F. Equipment G. Personnel 3. Pre-Budget Revenue Projections ………………………………………………………………………………. Finance Director Dozier 4. Town Council Conversation and Preliminary Input ….………………..…………………………….. Town Council General Town Council conversation on budget related matters and Input to staff on the following topics would be helpful in developing the budget: • Service Delivery Expectations • Use of Fund Balance • Tax Rate Increase • COLA/Merit Increase • Staffing Presence in Reems Creek Area • Pre-Ordering Fire Rescue Truck (Limited FY26 Budget Impact) • Community Center – Private Rental Revenue • Recreation Complex – Restrooms, Storage, Shelter • Street Program / Sidewalk Program Funding • Water Meter Conversion Project • Recycling – Bi-Weekly Pickup or Cost Increase • Municipal Elections – Odd Year Elections/Early Voting and Cost • Town Council Wishes and Expectations 5. Closed Session …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Mayor Fitzsimmons N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) – To consult with an attorney employed or retained by the public body; N.C.G S. 143-318.11(a)(5) – To establish, or to instruct the public body’s staff or negotiating agents concerning the amount of compensation and other material terms of an employment contract 6. Adjournment ………………………………………………………………………………………….….................. Mayor Fitzsimmons FY2025-2026 Budget Workshop #1 Town of Weaverville Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Agenda • Pre-Budget Overview • Pre-Budget Revenue Estimates, Tax Rate and Fund Balance Information • Town Council Conversation and Preliminary Input  Budget Officer’s Statutory Responsibility Current Conditions and Projections Concentration on Sustainability and Resiliency in Service Delivery Departmental Reorganizations Capital Projects, Equipment, Personnel Pre-Budget Overview The Town Manager is the Town’s budget officer. Proposed budget must be balanced and submitted with a budget message by June 1. Public hearing on proposed budget must be noticed and held prior to budget adoption. Town Council must adopt a balanced budget (as proposed or amended) by July 1. Budget Officer’s Statutory Responsibility Current Conditions and Projections • Aging Buildings and Infrastructure, Call Service Levels • Supply Chains and Equipment Delivery Delays • Recruitment and Entry Level Employee Training/Certification Timing • Residential Dwelling Unit and Population Growth • Staffing and Personnel Growth by Department • Helene Recovery – Lasting Impacts  Building Year Built Age Space Availability Town Hall 2001 24 yrs None; Internal Rehab? Police 2001 24 yrs Limited Fire 2007 18 yrs Collaboration with RCVFD? Public Works 1996 29 yrs None; Office Trailer? Water Plant 1998 27 yrs Limited; Expansion in Progress Community Ctr 2021 4 yrs None; Museum Space? Infrastructure 2020 2025 2030 (est) Estimated 2015 2020 2021 2024 2025 Waterlines 67mi 71mi 74mi Service Calls (Jan/Feb) Water Meters 2801 3300 4500 Police 3502 5146 6560 Fire Hydrants 380 650 Fire 1690 1972 2255 Utility 144 145 194 287 Locations Buildings and Infrastructure Call Service Levels Examples of Supply Chain/Equipment Delays and Entry Level Training/Certifications Timing Equipment Estimated Time Equipment Order Build/Delivery Install/Training to In-Service Fire Engine 7/2023 46 mos 2 mos 48 mos Patrol Car 7/2024 6-9 mos 3 mos 9-12 mos Garbage Truck 8/2023 12 mos 2 mos 14 mos Entry Level Recruitment Training and Field Estimated Time to Personnel and Hiring Certifications Training Independent Work Firefighter 1-6 mos 8 mos 5-6 mos 14-20 mos Patrol Officer 1-6 mos 6 mos 3-4 mos 10-16 mos Water Distribution 1-6 mos 12 mos 3-6 mos 16-24 mos Water Plant Operator 4-8 mos 6-9 mos 3 mos 13-20 mos  RDU 5yr Estimated 5yr Year Estimates %↑ Population %↑ 2020 2354* +260 4600^ 2021 2614 +181 5305 2022 2795 +5 5795 2023 2800 +137 5808 2024 2937 +134 6179 2025 3071 +179 30% 6542 42% 2026 3250 +403 7027 2027 3653 +142 8119 Current Daily Visitor Estimated Daily Visitor 2028 3795 +362 8504 Population Estimate Population with Hospital 2029 4157 +142 9485 2000 - 5000 +5000 = 7000 - 10000 2030 4299 40% 9870 44% Current and Projected *Date from American Community Survey 2023 ^Data from US Census 2020 Housing and Population RDU = Residential Dwelling Unit Numbers Household Size* = 2.71/RDU Current Level of Staffing and Personnel Growth by Department 2015 2020 2025 Administration 2 3 4 Finance 3 4 4 Planning 1 1 2 Community Center - 1 2 Public Works – Sanitation, 13 13 15 Stormwater, Grounds, Streets Police 15 17 21 Fire 18 24 30 Water Distribution 5 5 6 Water Production 4 5 5  Current Organization Chart Departments & Direct Reports Police Department Current Organizational Chart Fire Department Current Organizational Chart Public Works Department Current Organizational Chart Hurricane Helene – Lasting Impacts The light at the end of the tunnel … Is it daylight or the headlight of an oncoming train? Concentration on Sustainability and Resiliency in Service Delivery  Department Capital Projects Equipment Personnel Downtown Restrooms, Town Hall Security, Fuel Pump Upgrade, Holiday Administration, Planning, Town Hall Remodel (to create more office Tree, Children’s Indoor Play HR Services Contract Community Ctr space); Storage at Community Center Equipment Security Upgrades, Large Item Evidence Police Storage, Garage Refurbishment 3 vehicles + 3 new + 3 new Fire Knox Box Replacements, Sink Hole Repair Fire Rescue Truck* + 3 reclassifications Property Purchases*, Clinton St Prop. Leaf Vacuum*, Grinder, Cleanup/Park, Waterwheel*, Safety + 4 new Pavement Sealer, Knuckleboom Public Works Upgrades - Lake Louise Steps, Street Grapple Truck*, Garbage Truck* + Engineer Services Paving, Storm Drainage Pipe Replacements, Contract Nature Park Stormwater Project* Waterline Replacements*, Reems Creek Road Waterline Extension*, Fire Alarm Cellular Read Meters*, SCADA + 2 new Water Distrib., Water System, Security System Update, Security at Upgrade, Turbidimeter, Auma + 4 new in WTP Courseview Tank, Generator for Hillcrest Actuator Pump Station Requested Capital Projects, Equipment, and Personnel  Pre-Budget Revenue Estimates, Tax Rate Information, and Available Fund Balance • North Buncombe Fire Tax Revenue FY 2024-2025 Budget FY 2024-2025 Actual (Est) FY 2025-2026 Budget (Est) Incr/Decr (Est) $2,227,144 $2,211,140 $2,289,779 $62,635 (2.8%↑) • Property Tax Revenue FY 2024-2025 Budget FY 2024-2025 Actual (Est) FY 2025-2026 Budget (Est) Incr/Decr (Est) $4,262,256 $4,293,148 $4,466,450 $204,194 (4.8%↑) • Sales Tax Revenue FY 2024-2025 Budget FY 2024-2025 Actual (Est) FY 2025-2026 Budget (Est) Incr/Decr (Est) $2,167,560 $2,074,552 $2,167,560 $0 Revenue Estimates Revenue Estimates •$452,510 Budgeted in current year; Actual YTD is 12% higher Interest Income •Interest rates are predicted to decrease slightly in coming year •Federal Reserve expected to hold rates steady at next meeting ABC Profit •$350,000 Budgeted in current year •$170,000 Estimated for FY 2025-2026 Distributions •Reduction ($180k) due to store expansion Community Center – Private Rental •$75,770 Budgeted in current year; Actual YTD is slightly lower Revenue Revenue Estimates Water Rates & •$2,847,745 Budgeted in current year; Actual YTD is 4% below budget Revenue •5% Increase in water rates recommended per approved 2024 study Water System •$150,000 Budgeted in current year; Actual YTD slightly lower Development •Estimate for FY 2025-2026 TBD but could range from $100k - $300k based on timing of development and size/number of Fees water meters • Usable General Funds = $1M - $2M • Current Tax Rate = 35¢ per $100 value • Usable Water Funds = $5M • Last Increase: 2¢ in 2016 • Revenue Impact on Tax Rate Increase: 1 ¢ = $127,000 Tax Rate and Fund 2 ¢ = $254,000 Balance Information 3 ¢ = $381,000 4 ¢ = $508,000 5 ¢ = $635,000 • Tax Bill Impact on Tax Rate Increase: • $320,300 median housing value • Bill based on current tax = $1,121 • 1¢ Increase = $32 Increase 35¢ 36¢ 37¢ 38¢ 39¢ 40¢ $1121 $1153 $1185 $1217 $1249 $1281 +$32 +$64 +$96 +$128 +$160 • Service Delivery Expectations • Use of Fund Balance • Tax Rate Increase • COLA/Merit Increase • Staffing Presence in Reems Creek Area • Pre-Ordering Fire Rescue Truck • Community Center – Private Rental Revenue • Recreation Complex – Restrooms, Storage, Shelter Project • Street Program/Sidewalk Program Funding Town Council • Municipal Elections – Odd Year Elections/Early Voting and Cost Conversation and • Town Council Wishes and Expectations Preliminary Input Next Steps: • Town Council Preliminary Conversation/Input (cont’d), March 24 at 6 pm • Town Council to reach out with questions or ideas • Interim Town Manager’s Presentation of Budget and Budget Message – Workshop #2, April 15 at 6 pm • Budget Workshop #3 and Public Hearing on Budget, May 13 at 6 pm • Budget Workshop #4, June 3 at 6 pm • Budget Workshop #5 and Adoption, June 17 at 6 pm Scottie Harris, Budget Officer sharris@weavervillenc.org 828-645-7116 Tonya Dozier, Finance Director tdozier@weavervillenc.org 828-645-7116