STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GASTON TOWN OF CRAMERTON The River Room, McAdenville  Special Meeting, Budget Retreat March 11, 2023  Members Present: Mayor Wills, Mayor Pro Tempore Neeley, Commissioner Atkinson, Commissioner Ramsey, Commissioner Helms and Commissioner Kincaid Staff Present: Zach Ollis, Town Manager; Josh Watkins, Assistant Town Manager; Brad Adams, Chief of Police; Wes Wood, Parks and Recreation; Lance Foulk, Fire Chief; Rodney  Baker, Public' Works Director; and Hannah Brown, Town Clerk.  1. Welcome  Mayor Wills started the meeting at 9:00 am and briefly discussed the goals of the meeting.  2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance  Mayor Pro Tempore Neeley provided the invocation.  3. Facilitator Introduction  Leamon Brice, the facilitator for the budget retreat, discussed the agenda and the goals  for what would be accomplished during the meeting.  4. Department Briefings and Budget needs:  Police  Chief Adams provided al brief update on the Police Department and discussed the budget for the department. The Board asked Chief Adams questions about the Police Department's budget, and Chief Adams answered their questions and provided additional information about the department. There was further discussion between Chief Adams and the Board about the budget for the police  department. Public Works  Mr. Baker provided a brief update on the Public Works Department and discussed the budget for the department. The Board asked Mr. Baker questions about the Public Work Department's budget, and Mr. Baker answered their questions and provided additional information about the department. There was further discussion between Mr. Baker and the Board about the budget for  the Public Works Department.    Fire  Chief Foulk provided al brief update on the Fire Department and discussed the budget for the department. The Board asked Chief Foulk questions about the Fire Department's budget, and Chief Foulk answered their questions and provided additional information about the department. There was further discussion between Chief Foulk andi the Board about the budget for the Fire  Department.  General Government  Mr. Ollis provided an overview oft the general government budget. The Board asked Mr. Ollis questions about the budget, and Mr. Ollis answered their questions. There was further discussion between Mr. Ollis andi the Board about the general government budget. The Board asked at few questions that were determined to be best further discussed during the preliminary! budget  conversation in the afternoon. Parks and Recreation  Mr. Wood provided a brief presentation on the Parks and Recreation Department and discussed the budget for the department. Following his presentation, the Board asked Mr. Wood questions about the Parks and Recreation Department's budget, and Mr. Wood answered their questions and provided additional information about the department. There was further discussion between Mr. Wood and the Board about the budget for the Parks and Recreation Department.  Planning  Mr. Watkins provided al brief presentation on the Planning and Zoning Department and discussed the budget for the department. Following his presentation, the Board asked Mr. Watkins questions about the Planning and Zoning Department's budget, and Mr. Watkins answered their questions and provided additional information about the department. There was further discussion between Mr. Watkins and the Board about the budget for the Planning and Zoning  Department.  Stormwater Program  Mr. Watkins provided a brief presentation on the Stormwater Program and discussed the program's budget. Following his presentation, the Board asked Mr. Watkins questions about the Stormwater Program and the budget for the program, and Mr. Watkins answered their questions and provided additional information about the program. There was further discussion between  Mr. Watkins and the Board about the Town's Stormwater Program.  5. Preliminary Budget Presentation  Mr. Ollis presented a preliminary budget to the Board. The Board and Mr. Ollis further discussed thei information presented by Mr. Ollis. Discussions continued between the Board, Mr. Ollis and Mr. Watkins about topics that included the operating budget, personnel costs, capital budget and  needs, and the reevaluation and tax rate.    Adjourn  Mayor Wills adjourned the meeting at 2:00 pm.  Nelson Wills, Mayor  ATTEST:  hhi Broon Hannah Brown, Town Clerk