Budget Retreat May 13, 2024 1PM Reitzel Center  128 S Fayetteville Street, Liberty NC 27298  Present  Mayor: Council: Town Manager: Town Clerk: Town Attorney: Staff:  The Honorable Filmore York  Larry Coble, Terry Caviness, Don Herndon, and Tyson Nixon  Scott Kidd Jessica Brown Bill Flowe  Police Chief; David Semrad, Safety Director; Bret Pedigo, Assistant Town Manager; Janie Phelps, Public Works Director; Joseph Walsh, Parks and Recreation Director; Kolby Mcpherson  Call to Order and Welcome - Mayor  Mayor York welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. Council Member Greg Carpenter is unable to attend due to a work commitment. He said we have done al lot to make improvements to the' Town such as adding al leaf vac and gravel truck. It is getting down to crunch time for the Budget. Inflation went wild and the tax money did not come in like we  thought it would.  Opening Remarks - Scott Kidd  The Town Manager appreciates the phone calls and texts he has gotten about the information he  sent.  Budget Discussion  The Town Manager shared the budget software on the screen - actuals versus projected. Traveling and training would be the first thing to go ifwe make cuts. Every penny oft taxes is $28.38. He is opening up for questions. Council Member Herndon asked about animal control and ifiti is still in there since wel had talked about outsourcing. Mr. Kidd said it is for now. Janie Phelps said the pay will bel based on call volume and population. Jonathan Moody is the Animal Services Director in Randolph and his goal is to have it for the whole county Police Chief Semrad said rabies shots are a big expense and they are down several positions and the new officers would need to be vaccinated. Council Member Herndon asked if we got paid for mowing the railroad right ofway. Attorney Flowe said we did in the past but now we don't. The Town Manager said he needs a consensus sO he can complete his Budget Presentation. The books he sent included a tax rate of.60-. .64. Council Member Coble asked about raising the garbage rate to $25.00. Council Member Nixon asked about reducing the hours at the library. Mayor York said that is the only access some people have to books and the internet. Council    Member Coble said maybe just raise the tax back to before and leave the garbage rate the same. The Town Manager said thel Fire Department helps cover. Julian and Staley and gets no reimbursement. Fire ChiefTalbott said other Fire Departments are struggling as well but it does The Town Manager said cuts will have to be made if the tax rate remains $.60. It would be tight ifsomething happened. Everything is up due to inflation, Council Member Coble said we should make it $.64 to maintain and address needing a new fire truck. The Town Manager said we: must put money back in the bank before the LGC will even talk about it. He added that we provide every service possible in town. ChiefTalbott said ifwe don'tgo up to$.64 it will be hard to keep employees. Mayor York said we: need vision and a plan. Council Member Coble said he likes our services and what we have done the last eight years. Council Member Herndon said it is a mistake to cut now. Council Member Nixon said we need to look at how to save and not spend.  help our DOI (Department of] Insurance) rating.  The consensus was to make the tax rate $.64 and no trash rate increase. Council Member Caviness is wondering about plans for the old Police Station. Mayor York thanked everyone for good questions and good conversation.  Council Comments Mayor Comments Adjourn  Mayor York adjourned the meeting.  Himue Mayor  Lpv  DOIA A.bny  Town Clerk