TOWN OF COATS Board of Commissioners Budget Meeting March 20, 2021 OFFICIAL MINUTES  I.A ABSTRACT:  As scheduled budget meeting of the Board of Commissioners held on March 20, 2021 in the Board of  Commissioners Meeting Room at Coats Town Hall.  IL.ROLLCALL:  Mayor Chris Coats, Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Beasley, Commissioner Kelvin Gilbert, Commissioner Marc Powell, Commissioner John Raynor and Commissioner. Allen Mosby were present. Town Manager Nick Holcomb and Town Clerk Karen' Wooten were present.  Department Managers Chief Storicks, Rodney Pleasant, Teresa Brown and Mike Collins were present.  II. CALLTOORDER: Pledge of Allegiance. CApproval of Agenda RESOLVED, to approve Agenda.  Mayor Coats called the budget meeting to order and lead those present in the Invocation and  MOTION BY: COMMISSIONER JOHN RAYNOR: SECOND BY: COMMISSIONER KELVIN GILBERT APPROVED, AYES (5), MAYOR PRO-TEM. JERRY BEASLEY, COMMISSIONERS POWELL, RAYNOR, MOSBY  AND GILBERT NOES (0)  IV. NEW BUSINESS:  The budget meeting with each Department Manager heard by the Board of Commissioners as  listed below. (Reference #1) Parks and Recreation - Mike Collins  The following are request from Mike Collins Recreation Director  1    a. Increase salaries/other to $10,000- - Mr. Collins expressed the challenges in using Public' Works employees to help assist at the park b. Increase in referees/umpires due to the adult games, which revenue received to cover the increase. This includes the youth programs also Increase repairse equipment/Duilding to $2,000 - Split unit for office at park d. Increase printing and advertising $250 for boards and signs e. Increase park improvements - drainage for left field, complete trail project, picnic  tables  Mr. Collins mentioned line items where possible reduced, or are the same as present budget. Mr. Collins expressed the difficulties in registration for youth programs due to the competition in surrounding towns and that he is trying to 'market what we have". Mr. Collins confirmed that the Town  would receive the same amount from the County as we did last year.  Police Department - Chief Ken Storicks The following are request from Chief Storicks  a. Added line item Recreation/Program supples-ss00-requesed to market the b. Increase Computer Equipment $1,000 to purchase computer. (Reference #3) Increase on Capital Outlay - Dodge Durango, highway taxes( ( replaces 2013 Charger)  police aepartment/Relerence #2)  (Reference #4)  Chief Storicks presented the Board with a starting salary from local Law Enforcement agencies. Chief Storicks expressed the concerns trying to recruit police officers and retaining their services competing with over towns. Chief Storicks asked the Board to consider increasing the starting pay. (Reference #5) Chief Storicks explained the need for ammunition each budget year. Training, qualifying each officers,  new officers and reserve officers. Library-Teresa Brown Director  Teresa Brown Library Director updated the Board there were not any increase needs within the Library. She informed the Board of shelfs that we were receiving from the County Library at no cost to the Town and some painting/repairs that are scheduled. Mrs. Brown stated the Library to close for a week for the transition of new: shelfs and repairs. Mrs. Brown: shared the hours for herself at 16, Jeanette Elkins at  17 and part-time position at 10.  Streets and Water Department - Rodney Pleasant The following are request from Rodney Pleasant  a. Increase Capital Outlay, 10-4510-5100- -Ford F150- $27,000 replace 2005 Chevy b. Added new 10-45103530-53,000-repairsmainly for leaf truck  2    C. Reduced several line items  d. Water Department reduced 60-7110-2260- - Material and Supplies e. Added line item 60-7110-7205 Utility Cut/Repairs- monies moved from 60-7110- 2260 Materials and Supplies to clarify utility repairs to roads f. 60-7110-5100- $1,000 added for unknown purchase Solid' Waste - reduce tipping fees  Discussion among Board that Public Works Director have new vehicle and transfer present Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Beasley asked if there were items that could be sold as surplus, Public Works Director Rodney Pleasant stated brush hog, leaf truck and looking at other equipment.  vehicle to public works department.  Board took a short break at 9:30 a.m. V.CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:  Town Manager Nick Holcomb presented aj power point with an overview of Revenue Projection  and Budget Outlook. The following were items of discussion.  a. Salaries adjustments for Police Department and Public Works  b. Longevity change -$1,000 plus $100 for each additional year - amendment for  Employee Handbook  The Board directed Town Manager Nick Holcomb to get the salaries in line and stated that this  is the year to get this set up.  Street Repaving - Mr. Holcomb expressed the difference in bidding for the project on. Johnson Street and the need to have an engineer look into the project. Mr. Holcomb: stated that the Town could address five (5) streets next year.  Mayor Pro-Tem. Jerry Beasley suggested increasing the budget amount under contract services The Board directed Town Manager Nick Holcomb to have an engineer looked into the project on Johnson Street and do al budget amendment if needed. The Board expressed concerns of the liability oft the Town if our staff were involved in maintaining safety during the project. d. Beautification -Need to purchase Christmas lights for the Town. e. Planning- Asking to increase demolition $50,000-asbestos issues at 184 and 198 East Jay Street. Address Lemon Street demolition prior to nuisance concerns.  to $150,000, which would require money from unappropriated.  3    The Board directed Town Manager Nick Holcomb to address nuisance issues first and then  Lemon Street.  Town Manager Nick Holcomb shared with the Board the importance of reviewing and updating the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances to insure the vision of the Town's future development. Mr. Holcomb stated as an example, gravel streets and the importance to have clear ordinances toi insure future developments are fort the betterment of the Town. Mr. Holcomb commented that this would be an ideal time to address and update our Ordinances, with the changes  examined by N-Focus due to 160-D required by the state.  MeterSYS Presentation = Lauren Brown  Ms. Brown introduced MeterSys Company as a metering consultancy for Radio Read Water Meters. Ms. Brown updated the Board of the decision from Harnett Regional Water to work with their company to upgrade the county's water meters and express the issue of the Town's position to upgrade along with HRW. Ms. Brown presented an overview of the operation of Radio Read Water Meters and with the connection between HRW and the Town of Coats. Ms. Brown presented four (4) options for the Town recommending options three (3). (Reference  #6)  Points of discussion among the Board listed below:  1. Town will have to face upgrading our meters evidentially 2. Would need to update Ordinances pertaining to property damage 3. Would help control leaks on streets 4. Need to work with County if possible 5. Information needed from County about piggyback with County 6. Lock in present pricing, price will only be higher later years 7. More efficient for Town and residents. 8. More immediate information and notices.  Board directed Town Manager Nick Holcomb to contact HRW and the possibility to work with  them to update Town customers.  4    VI.ADJOURN:  RESOLVED, to adjourn meeting.  MOTION BY: COMMISSIONER. JOHN RAYNOR: SECOND BY: COMMISSIONER MARCI POWELL APPROVED, AYES (5), MAYOR PRO-TEM JERRY BEASLEY, COMMISSIONERS POWELL, MOSBY, RAYNOR  AND GILBERT NOES (0)  Meeting adjourned at 12:16 p.m.  7.M/h Town Clerk  -  Karen' 'F. faa Wooten,  Chris Coàts,Mayor  5