ERTFORD  TOWN OF HERTFORD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING BUDGET PRESENTATION MONDAY, MAY 25,2021 @ 6:00 P.M. HERTFORD COMMUNITY CENTER  The Town Council ofHertford held their Budget Presentation on Monday, May 25, 2021 by Town Manager Hurdle at the Town of Hertford Community Center. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Earnell Brown at 6:00 p.m. The invocation was offered by Councilman Mimlitsch. Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges, Mayor Earnell Brown, Councilman Frank Norman, Councilman Mimlitsch  COUNCIL PRESENT  Councilman Jackson arrived late and left early (due to sickness). Manager Pamela Hurdle, Clerk Olga Simpson, and Chief Brown. Murielle Harmon, Tim Brinn, Kim Brinn, Facebook, and Zoom viewers.  STAFF PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT QUORUM  The meeting began with a quorum of4 and increased to 5 when Councilman Jackson arrived.  PURPOSE OF THE MEETING  The purpose of the meeting was the presentation of the Recommended Budget for the fiscal year of 2021-2022 by Mayor Pamela Hurdle. Mayor Brown laid the ground rules for discussion and questions regarding items oft the budget presentation. Council was asked tol hold their questions until after the completion oft the presentation. Citizens will have an opportunity to speak or ask questions at the  Public Hearing on June 7,2021. BUDGET PRESENTATION  Manager Hurdle presented the recommended budget by section and line items. A letter to the Council will be given to Council at the end of the presentation. Manager Hurdle requested that all questions be held until the end of the presentation. Ifanyone would like to speak to. her regarding the budget, they may schedule a meeting with her to answer any budget questions they may have. Manager Hurdle began with a summary of the budget and later gave al line-by-line detailed information regarding budget items. Manager Hurdle was interrupted with objections to the rules for the meeting and discussion. Councilman Norman questioned the cuts that were made in the budget and had unanswered questions. Mayor Brown reiterated the rules and purpose oft the meeting and Point of Order: Councilman Jackson-asked Clerk Simpson to read back the minutes where Council members made any motions or vote on Manager Hurdle's request. Mayor Brown stated, to keep the meeting moving in a professional manner, there was no motion. The purpose oft the meeting was for Councilman Jackson Motioned to Override Mayor Brown. Councilman Norman Seconded.  asked Manager Hurdle to continue with the budget.  the governing board to hear the town manager's budget presentation.  Town Council Budget Meeting  May 25,2021  Page 1 of6    Roll Call Vote: Councilman Mimlitsch (Nay) Councilman Norman (Yay) Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges (Nay) Councilman Jackson (Yay) Mayor Brown (Nay).  The Motion to Override the Mayor failed (3-2).  Point of Order: Councilman Jackson-It is not the point oft the agenda item, but the question is how Councilman Mimlitsch Motioned to accept town manager's request to present the budget without interruption and answer our questions at the end. Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges Seconded. Point of Order-Councilman Jackson-The rules of procedure cannot be changed without having a read-ahead. Councilman Jackson Motioned to Table. Councilman Norman Seconded  the rules of procedure ofHertford Town Council are being conducted.  Roll Call Vote: Eoclman Mimlisch-fNay) Councilman Norman (Yay) Councilman Jackson (Yay) Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges (Nay) Mayor Brown (Nay) The Motion to Table failed (3-2).  Roll Call Vote on Councilman Mimlitsch's Motion: to accept town manager's request to present the budget without interruption and answer our questions at the end. Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges Seconded. All in favor of the manager to complete her presentation for the Town ofHertford.  Councilman Mimlitsch (Yay) Councilman Norman (Nay) Councilman Jackson (Nay) Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges (Yay) Mayor Brown (Yay). passed (3-2).  The Motion to accept town Manager Hurdle's request to present the budget without interruption Councilman Jackson asked Councilman Mimlitsch ift he would amend the motion to state the meeting will not be adjourned until all questions are answered. Councilman Mimlitsch declined to allow an Point of Order: Councilman Jackson Motioned to. Adjourn the Meeting. Councilman Norman Seconded. Council continued discussion regarding rules of procedure, budget, spending, and the Point of Order: Councilman Norman-Explaine, ifa absent from a meeting, it was ai meeting that was called up or he had other plans. Absence from Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges town hall meeting was to keep it from becoming an official meeting. He has aj problem with meeting being adjourned, when he has something to say at the end ofa meeting. Councilman Norman requested the record state, Mayor Brown and Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges lie directly on this dais on a consistent basis. There were not five  amendment tol be made on his motion.  challenges of the meetings, and council members missing meetings. Point of Order: Councilman Jackson-There is a motion to adjourn.  Town Council Budget Meeting  May 25,2021  Page 2of6    meetings for this budget. One of the meetings scheduled was cancelled by the manager. Council voted and he did not see the vote. Ifthe vote to cancel a meeting was as a written vote, all ofCouncil had the right to. know who said what. That didn't! happen and further stated, Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges was beyond the lack ofintegrity and doesn'tknow what to say about Mayor Brown. Rebuttal: Councilman Jackson-rebutted comments regarding the budget, spending, and the missing ofn meetings. Meetings that were missed because no one knew about it or was not conducive to his  work schedule.  Roll Call Vote on the Motion to Adjourn the meeting:  Councilman Mimlitsch (Nay) Councilman Norman (Yay) Councilman Jackson (Yay) Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges (Nay) Mayor Brown (Nay)  The Motion to. Adjourn the Meeting failed (3-2).  Manager Hurdle continued with the budget presentation and requested a spokesperson tol be the liaison for the budget. Councilman Mimlitsch Motioned Councilman Hodges be appointed as the Point of Order: Councilman Norman-Questions would be entertained after Mayor Hurdle finished. Councilman Norman Motioned to Table until after the discussion about the budget. There was no Second. Mayor Brown proceeded with the roll call vote to appoint Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges as the  spokesperson. Councilman Hodges Seconded.  spokesperson. Roll Call Vote: Councilman Mimlitsch (Yay) Councilman Norman (Nay) Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges (Yay) Mayor Brown (Yay) not in the room for the vote.  The Motion to Appoint Pro Tem Hodges as the Spokesperson passed (3-1). Councilman Jackson was Point ofOrder: Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges. He thought there was one piece ofinformation missing from Manager Hurdle's] presentation regarding electric water and sewer rates. Ifthey are going up, from what to what? Manager Hurdle answered the question and continued presenting the budget. Councilman Norman stated for the: record that the reason for the town'si is in the red is because the former council put the town in debt in some areas. There is not enough money to run it and pay the debt too. Citizens are being unfairly charged and suggested a tiered system. Businesses and institutions should pay more. Councilman Norman requested both a physical and electronic copy of the proposed rate and the proposed 5 years that you want to recommend sO that Council can have that discussion prior to us having another meeting about this. Councilman Mimlitsch also questioned the rates Winfall pays and agrees that issue needs to be revisited. Councilman Jackson is not going to vote for any increase in water, sewer, and electric rates. Councilman Jackson made a formal request for department heads to present their own budgets and that the IT of the building be available for all  council members and not for a select few. Mayor Brown called ai recess at 8:33.  Town Council Budget Meeting  May 25,2021  Page 3 of6    Council reconvened at 8:42.  Councilman Norman addressed several concerns and received answers regarding the governing board operating expenses, removing insurance for council members, professional services, the police department, and contingencies. Councilman Norman requested the record to reflect that in the couple ofmeetings that were cancelled, these were some oft the things he had written down to ask about and they were cut. It was not his fault that when a meeting oft the governing board was called, no one shows up. He apologized for the frustration he caused Manager Hurdle to experience with this governing board not being able to meet and get things done on a timely manner. Point of Clarity: Councilman Jackson requested clarity regarding the election oft the governing body person. That item was added to the agenda and the vote was taken while he was out the room, Manager Hurdle clarified the vote was for a person for the governing body and the budget. Based upon Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges statements, Councilman Jackson Motioned to retain thel Hertford Police Department, suspend all conversations, and Manager Hurdle identify an interim chiefas part of chief of police hiring process, and include the police department in this year's budget. Councilman Councit furthcr discusscdt taxcs, shcrif dopartment covcrage and costs for law cntvrccmcnt SCiviccs, the actions of the sheriff's office, the 911 bill, and payment and discussions with the attorney. Mayor Brown called Councilman Norman' 's attention to the time he' 'd taken for discussion. Point of Order: Councilman Norman-How many minutes do we get?  Norman Seconded.  Rebuttal: Councilman Jackson-discussed the estimated costs of county's entorcement service and the motion made to talk to the county. No one is allowed send anything from the governing board to the attorney without a motion and second from the council. Councilman Jackson requested all attorney bills. Councilman's. Jackson's motion was restated and brought to a vote.  Roll Call Vote: Councilman Mimlitsch (Nay) Councilman Norman (Yay). Councilman Jackson (Yay) Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges (Nay) Mayor Brown (Nay)  The Motion to retain the Hertford Police Department, suspend all conversations, and Manager Hurdle identify an interim chief as part of chief of police hiring process, and include the police department in Councilman Norman discussed IT proposals and requested Manager Hurdle send him what packet the information came in and formally requested information from Mr. Sanchez. Councilman Norman suggested aj plan for marking the cemetery plots and will bring the information to Council at the next meeting. Councilman Norman reminded the council about Mr. Jenkins and his proposal to use the building as his office. He recommended that the town make a deal with Mr. Jenkins for his lawn services in relation to the graveyard. Councilman Norman requested Council's permission to explore the option (the building and Mr.. Jenkins). Councilman Mimlitsch reminded Council there can bei no bartering, there must be a contract or the submission ofal bid. Councilman Norman will discuss this with the attorney and school of government. Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges, Councilman Jackson, and  this year's budget failed (3-2).  Councilman Mimlitsch agreed. It doesn'tn matter to Mayor Brown.  Town Council Budget Meeting  May 25,2021  Page 4 of6    With regard to Winfall rate hikes, Councilman Norman Motioned to 1. Pull all contracts up, and want to bej part of that party, find out what we can and cannot do. 2. Do a rate hike preparation for the town of Winfall. 3. Report it to LGC for fairness. 4. Have madam manager tol begin to explore havinga meeting about this and other joint meetings with the Town of Winfall. Ifthe Town of Winfall refuses to meet with us on a timely enough basis, we will revert to our best choices out of what wel have  already prepared. Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges Seconded.  Roll Call Vote: Councilman Mimlitsch (Yay), Councilman Norman (Yay) Councilman Jackson (Yay) Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges (Yay) Mayor Brown (Yay). Other Council Concerns:  The four points oft the motion to address Winfall rate hikes passed unanimously (5-0).  The Rescue fund not being represented in the budget (it may offset some ofthe costs in the budget that is being cut) Will get copies to be shared with all the governing board.  Augmenting salaries out of the electric fund How the town pays for and when it receives the smart meters Connection fees and who sets the rates. The pay study policy needs to bei reviewed.  Councilman Jackson would like iti in writing to get our downtown road back. Placing Health Insurance in the budget for Council: members The Safety ofs senior citizens and the county keeping its word until we. no longer have one). It should be placed back in the budget.  Removal oft the Police Department Budget (should not have been removed from the budget  Winfall Contract (Council needs to review it)  Councilman Jackson Motioned the Town ofHertford send an official letter to the county that we are withdrawing from the Communication" s Contract. Councilman Norman Seconded and amended the  motion to add (send a second Notice ofintent to exit the contract).  Roll Call Vote: Councilman Mimlitsch (Yay) Councilman Norman (Yay) Councilman Jackson (Yay) Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges (Yay) Mayor Brown (Yay)  The Motion to withdraw from the Communications Contract passed unanimously (5-0). The budget numbers will be discussed and finalized on. June 8, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Brown Motioned to Adjourn the meeting. Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges Seconded.  Roll Call Vote: Councilman Mimlitsch (Yay) Councilman Norman (Yay)  Town Council Budget Meeting  May 25,2021  Page 5 of6    Councilman Jackson (Yay) Mayor Pro-Tem Hodges (Yay) Mayor Brown(Yay)  The Motion to. Adjourn the meeting passed unanimously (5-0). The Budget Presentation Adjoured at 11:06. Attachments: Citizen's Comments  Town Council Budget Meeting  May 25, 2021  Page 6 of6    Thank you, Mayor Brown and members oft the Hertford TC1 for the opportunity to speak. Ihave spent a considerable amount time reviewing the proposed budget and current fiscal year expenditures. Iti is my understanding that al budget freeze went into effect int the later part of March but essential spending was still allowed. The line item budgets for the current fiscal year (expend YTD - April 15) show in many instances up to 50% or more remaining, with only two and half months left int the fiscal year. Others show significant overages. Yes, Iknow that you will be dealing with al budget amendment next week to balance these out. The total projected revenue increase for 2021/2022 is less than $220K, compared to 2020/2021. The proposed. salary increases for employees is 6.3%-1 I'm certainly not saying that Water/Wastewater Revenue = not sure ift the rate increase was in the Manager's proposed budget. In Water- How can revenue only increase by $1,500? Then for Sewer revenue Professional Services - increase by $9,200 per epartment-5186K. Includes - Audit ($20K), IT The monies that were previously budgeted to HPD will allow some oft the budget items tol be covered. However, it is going to take strict spending, monitoring and wise management. We have so many major issues (water, sewer, streets, town of buildings, etc.) that have been  they do not deserve it-t total +$230K, which does not cover fringe.  decreases by $5,600?  ($50K), Attorney ($70K), Granicus ($7K) and may be others.  neglected and not maintained for years!  Sara E. 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